Huge Issues Opening a Bank Account

Speak to the branch manager. Only the branch manager. Trust me.

Speak to the branch manager. Only the branch manager. Trust me.

Absolutely. The branch manager is your friend.  And once she (or he) knows who you are, your life will be MUCH easier.  I had to deal with a poorly deposited check (machine scrunched it up), and I was getting a bit of a delay from the lady at the desk, bank manager spotted me, came over, asked me what I needed and did it in two seconds.
Occasionally, standing out because of an American accent is dead useful.

I also got pretty frustrated trying to open an account when I first moved to the UK.  Identity wasn't a problem (passport worked fine); it was the proof of address that was the most difficult.  I think I went to the bank 3-4 times with different documentation and none of them were acceptable as appropriate proof.

The thing that worked was my NI letter with my NI number on it... give it a try?

I STILL don't have a bank account, 3+ months after moving, because of all the hassles.  After I'd finally jumped through all the hoops to get the right proofs of address (had to add my husband's & my name to the council tax bill, even though we live with his mother), they'd only give me a Switch card, not a regular Visa debit card.  Even with a joint account, and my husband's been banking there for 20 years!  So I told them to stuff it, and we'd find a new bank, but I just haven't had the energy to deal with it. 

Ya know... We just walked into HSBC with my passport, and marriage certificate, and with my husband with his ID, and we opened a joint account. Visa debit card and check book - no problem. My husband already had an account there. I think I had a letter from my school in America as proof of address, but they did not really even look at it.
We spoke with the branch manager. It was HSBC.

Well, same issue here!

So, I am trying to get my USC hubby on the council tax bill with me to get some bill with his address.  Even this is proving difficult! Received a letter asking me to send marriage certificate - which I did. And now today another letter asking for something with his address on (utility bill ..) also asking if he has 'financial interest' in the property and details of his bank account 

Kind of a catch 22 situation! We are just going to have to go into the council tax place and explain...so frustrating!!

Funnily enough though, they are taking the extra money though since I informed them I was no longer living on my own grrrr