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How do I open a personal account with Starling UK?

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How do I open a personal account with Starling UK?
Profile image of blog author: Shak Chowdhury

Shak Chowdhury

August 1, 2023 1 min read

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • 1. Download the Starling App

  • 2. Soft Credit Check

  • 3. Gather Required Documents

  • Get Going

Starling provides a convenient and modern experience of banking. To open a personal account with Starling it takes just a few easy steps on your phone and you'll be on your way.

1. Download the Starling App

The first thing you'll need to do is download the Starling app from the App Store or Play Store. Once installed, you will be walked through their initial application process - this is the best way to get started.

Alternatively, you can head to the starlingbank.com to start your application there if you prefer.

2. Soft Credit Check

When you apply for a personal account, Starling performs a soft credit check which is simply a request for information from credit bureaus which won't be visible to other financial companies nor will it affect your credit score!

3. Gather Required Documents

Next, you'll need to provide specific personal documents. For identification purposes, Starling accepts:

  • A valid passport
  • EU/EEA ID card
  • UK residence permit
  • UK photocard driving licence (full or provisional).

You'll be asked to take a video selfie along with the photo ID, which speeds up the process and ensures the security of your new account.

You may need to submit a document that proves your address. Accepted address documents include:

  • Personal UK bank or building society statement
  • Credit card statement
  • Mortgage statement
  • Utility bill
  • Council tax bill
  • UK government letter
  • Tenancy agreement from a recognised entity

When submitting your documents, ensure they clearly show all four corners of the document or they may request additional documents. Once verified, you'll receive a notification to proceed.

Get Going

Now you'll be given your account details with Starling, and it'll be ready for you to deposit money and start personalising your experience.

By connecting your Starling account to Emma, you'll see real-time insights into your habits, set and track budgets easily and explore smart ways to save money.


Emma's intuitive categorisation of transactions will enable you to understand your finances better and empower your decisions.

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