If you think that your account has become lost then you can submit a claim online to the relevant institutions to assist the internal search made by the bank or building society.
If only one institution is involved and you are completing a paper claim, it is best for you to send your claim form direct to that bank at the address quoted on the form for that bank.
You need to remember that an account opened many years ago may not have been in your current married name or the account may have been opened while you were at a previous address. If the account was opened by your parents and grandparents on your behalf, then it may be jointly in their names. If you are searching for club and charity accounts, they may be in the name of the club or charity.
If you remember the sort code and account number, then that will make the search easier, as there are 150 million bank and building society accounts in the UK and anywhere up to half a million lost accounts. Any information about account types and passbooks would also be beneficial in helping narrow down the search.
If you are conducting the search on behalf of someone else and the account holder is still alive, then you will need to establish proof that you have their express authority to undertake the search.
Once the account has been found, the bank or building society will ask you to verify your ID and if you live overseas and do not visit the UK, or cannot visit a branch, special arrangements may need to be made in support of your proving your ID.
Baines and Ernst Ltd