Child Bank Accounts - Discrimination

[WireLand]

I'm writing about my wife's experience today with Santander, trying to open account for my children. When we made the appointment we were asked to bring their passports and a driving licence, which we did.
After all the usual waiting, getting in, data processing, the clerk went off to photocopy the ID documents. After a few minutes she returned saying they couldn't process the documents because my wife's surname (we used her driving licence) is different to our children's surname.
I was outraged.
Has anyone else faced this discrimination? How on Earth in this day and age can a high street bank treat mother's in this this way?
Have any mums (or dads) with different surnames to children had this problem?

If her name on the driving license differs from her name on the children’s birth certificates then it isn’t discrimination but common sense.

I did it online with Santander. Only had to send off a copy of DS passport and an account was opened within 5 days! Very easy with no problems.

I expect they cocked up by not asking you to take your child's birth certificate along.
I have a different surname to my children and recently opened a new account for my eldest. The bank requested his birth certificate along with my driving licence and recent utility bill. No problems opening his account.

DuchyDuke, Her name doesn't differ to what is on the birth certificates. The is simply a bank discriminating between
what I thought would be a common instance of a mother not taking the husbands name at marriage, but the children using the fathers surname

They didn't ask for a birth certificate. I was very clear when making the appointment to ask what was needed.

Diff surname
Took child s birth cert
My driving licence
No issues
Halifax

I have a different surname to DS and had no problems opening his account with Santander.

I have a different surname to my son and didn't have a problem opening a bank account for him.

I have a different surname to DS, took in both our passports to Halifax, no problems.

Is not discrimination, they just need to prove identify without any doubts and a different name means an official document is required to prove identity. I would always take birth certificates, marriage certificates, something with address on, driving licenses for opening a bank account.

Nothing to get outraged about, just take the birth certificates to confirm identity, do you normally have anger issues over non issues?

Slightly OT, my son wasn't allowed a metro bank account because we're boat dwellers and our post goes to a mail box. I have all my stuff go to the mail box! I felt a bit discriminated against.

If you are treated differently to others, it is discrimination.
Any mother with the same surname would have had no problem.

You needed their birth certificate to show the relationship otherwise how is the bank supposed to know if they've got different names?

I too have a different surname and clarified with Santander what would work for DS to prove his address and identity. I can't remember what we took but it seemed reasonable .

There is plenty of discrimination in this world but claiming discrimination when it's basic common sense belittles what others go through.

We closed the kids Lloyd’s ones because we coyldn’t Have both parents on the account.

iheartmichellemallon, we took in the documents requested. There's no common sense about it. Never in all the years of being married have we had this discrimination.

The reason for bringing in my wife's driving licence was to confirm the address. Why discriminate because her name is different? Basically they're challenging my wife to prove they're her children. Having the same name doesn't prove anything.

I have a different surname to my children and have opened accounts with Santander for them within the last few weeks with no problem at all online. You sound a little like someone looking for discrimination where none exists.

Sure, money laundering regulations can be a pain in arse at times but no one's trying to discriminate against mums with different surnames

Also, if the children have driving licences why can't they open their own accounts?

Of course it does - it proves she's related to them (or massive coincidence of having the same name). You're looking for a fight where there isn't one - fight against proper discrimination by all means, but don't belittle what people actually suffering discrimination go through.

Ok, sorry, I've reread your OP and realise you didn't mean their driving licence by a driving licence

I have a different surname to my DC but opened accounts for them at Barclays with no problem. Can't remember if I had their birth certificates though.

Because you'll have had their birth certificate Too - proves you're their mum (same as it would prove the dad is the dad if he has a different surname!). No discrimination - just common sense!

PattiStanger - We're talking about two children in attendance opening a children bank account, not drugs warlords washing dirty money. They brought exactly what was requested, and the bank failed due to a mother having a different name.
I've travelled widely with my family, opened bank accounts for my children before without an issue, and never had this issue.