Documents needed for a business bank account

The documents needed for a business bank account are usually simpler than people expect: photo ID, proof of your address, and some details about your business. What changes is the detail. This guide covers what sole traders, limited companies and partnerships are typically asked for, and what each provider says in its own words.

By the Business Account Review editorial team · checked 25 October 2026 · How we check

Short answer: most providers ask for in-date photo ID (a passport or driving licence), a recent proof of address, and your business details. Limited companies also need their Companies House details and information about directors and major shareholders. Many app-based providers check some of this electronically, so you may not need to upload every document.

The basics every business bank account needs

The government's Business.gov.uk service says banks typically ask for:

your name and home address, with proof of both
your contact details
your legal business name
the date your business started

In practice, "proof" means one photo ID document and one proof of address. Some documents, like a UK photocard driving licence, can count as both at some providers. You'll also answer questions about what your business does, where it trades and how much money you expect to move through the business bank account.

Why providers ask for documents

Every provider that offers a business bank account, whether it's a high-street bank or an app-based e-money firm, has to check who its customers are before it opens an account. That's why the documents needed look similar wherever you apply. The provider wants to confirm three things:

You are who you say you are. That's the photo ID and, at many app-based providers, a selfie or short video.
You live where you say you live. That's the proof of address, unless it can be checked electronically.
Your business is real. That's the business details, Companies House record or proof of trading.

Some providers can confirm much of this from electronic records, which is why one business bank account application asks for uploads and another doesn't.

Documents needed by business type

Sole traders

Your own ID and proof of address, your trading name if you use one, and what the business does. Some providers ask for your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) from HMRC. Directors' details aren't needed.

Limited companies

ID for the applicant, the company registration number and registered address, details of all directors, and often details of people with significant control (PSCs). Business.gov.uk also mentions Companies House documents and the Certificate of Incorporation.

Partnerships

Fewer app-based providers accept partnerships. Where they do, expect ID for each partner as well as business details. Check the provider's own list before you apply.

Whatever your structure, the documents needed for a business bank account follow the same pattern. The Current Account Switch Service's business guide adds that some banks may ask for an HMRC certificate, a recent utility bill or statement for the business, and personal ID for you and any partners or directors.

What each provider asks for

These are the documents needed according to each provider's own pages. Lists change, so check with the provider before you apply for a business bank account.

Business bank account documents by provider (checked 25 October 2026)
Provider	What the provider says it needs
Tide	Proof of identity, proof of address and proof of business, plus a selfie. Accepts in-date passports, ID cards, residence permits and full UK driving licences
ANNA	A full driving licence or passport, and proof of address dated within 3 months (utility bill, council tax bill or bank statement). Limited companies must be registered at Companies House
Monzo Business	Photo ID that hasn't expired, proof of business address, your UTR, and the company number for limited companies
Revolut Business	A video selfie, national ID or residence permit, certificate of incorporation or registration, proof of business activity, proof of operating address, and a list of directors and shareholders owning over 25%
Wise Business	Business name, type and registration number, addresses, activities and website, expected volumes, source of funds (for example 3 months of bank statements), ID for owners with 25% or more, and directors' details
Zempler Bank	Identity and address checked electronically; documents requested only if those checks fail. Limited company details are taken from Companies House
Starling	"Business documents and identification"; no detailed list published. A UTR is requested from sole traders but not required

Mettle's own business bank account document list wasn't available for us to check, so ask Mettle directly if you're applying there. Before you pick a business bank account, you can see fees and features for all of these providers when you compare business bank accounts.

Tide's document list in detail

Tide publishes one of the most detailed lists of documents needed for its business bank account, which is useful even if you apply elsewhere. According to Tide's supporting documents page:

Proof of identity: One of: a UK driving licence (not expired, not provisional), a passport, an ID card or a biometric residence permit. All must be in date.
Proof of address: One of a long list, including a utility bill or bank statement from the last 3 months, a council tax bill or HMRC Self Assessment letter from the current tax year, a mortgage statement from the last 12 months, or a signed tenancy agreement covering today's date.
Proof of business: As much as you can give: a business website, business bank statements (CSV or PDF, not screenshots) or established social media profiles.
Format: Photos or screenshots of documents are accepted as PDF files, except bank statements.

Tide also asks for a selfie to confirm your identity before it opens your business bank account. Sole traders need a UK home address and HMRC registration. Limited company directors can live in the UK or overseas, and the company must be registered at Companies House. See Tide's eligibility page for the full rules.

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If your business is brand new

New businesses often can't show trading history when they apply for a first business bank account, and that's normal. Providers may instead ask for evidence that you plan to trade. Tide's guide to verifying a new business lists what it accepts as main proof:

a business plan, if you're not trading yet
signed contracts or agreements with clients or suppliers (not templates)
confirmation from a sales platform such as Amazon Seller Central, Shopify or Uber Eats
invoices issued or received in the last 3 months

Supporting evidence can include a live website, recent social media activity, published marketing material, or proof of premises. Tide says evidence must be genuine and not created just to satisfy the request. Business.gov.uk also notes that some banks require at least a year of trading, so a brand-new business may find it easier with providers that accept start-ups.

Tips to avoid delays

Small mistakes cause most hold-ups. Before you submit a business bank account application:

Check expiry dates. Expired ID is a common reason documents are rejected.
Check the date on your proof of address. Many providers want it issued within the last 3 months.
Match your details. Use the same name and address as on your ID and your Companies House record.
Use clear images. All four corners visible, no glare, nothing cropped.
Update Companies House first. If a director or address has changed, file the change before you apply.
Reply quickly. If a provider asks for more, your business bank account application usually waits until you answer.

For the full application process, read our guide on how to open a business bank account.

After your business bank account opens

The checks don't stop once you have a business bank account. Providers can ask for updated information later, for example if your business changes what it does, takes on a new director or starts moving much larger sums. Keep digital copies of your ID and recent proof of address somewhere safe so you can reply quickly.

Tell your provider when your home address, business address or company officers change. Limited companies should also file changes with Companies House, since providers often check your business bank account details against that public record. If your ID is due to expire, renew it in good time.

Documents needed: your checklist

In-date photo ID: passport, full driving licence, ID card or residence permit.
Proof of address issued recently, in your name, at your home address.
Your legal business name, trading name and start date.
Your UTR, if you're a sole trader registered for Self Assessment.
Company number, registered address and details of directors and PSCs (limited companies).
Evidence of trading or plans to trade: website, invoices, contracts or a business plan.
A phone that can take a selfie or short video for identity checks.

Business bank account documents: FAQs

Can I open a business bank account without a passport?

Usually, yes. Most providers accept a full driving licence or national ID card instead. Check the provider's list first.

Do I need a UTR to open a business bank account?

It depends. Monzo lists a UTR among its requirements, while Starling says it requests one from sole traders but doesn't require it.

Is a bank statement accepted as proof of address?

Often, yes, if it's recent. Tide and ANNA both accept bank statements issued within the last 3 months.

Do I need a Certificate of Incorporation?

Some providers ask for it, including Revolut. Others look up your company on Companies House themselves, so you may only need the company number.

Can I use a provisional driving licence?

Not for a Tide business bank account. Tide doesn't accept provisional licences for identity or address. Other providers may have similar rules.

Sources

Business.gov.uk: getting a business bank account (checked 25 October 2026)
Tide: how to provide your supporting documents (checked 25 October 2026)
Tide: how to verify your new business (checked 25 October 2026)
Tide: who can open a Tide account
Current Account Switch Service: full guide to switching (business); providers' own onboarding and help pages for ANNA, Monzo, Revolut, Wise, Zempler and Starling (checked 25 October 2026)