Gathering the Correct Documentation
Bring proof of your address to the post office. Present at least 1 form showing proof of address, such as a local authority tax bill for the current council tax year, current driving license, current bank statements, or a mortgage statement. Gas, electric, Internet, and phone bills are also acceptable. Another example of proof of address is a solicitor’s letter received within the last 3 months confirming a recent house purchase or land registry confirmation of address. This is specific to the UK.
Present your proof of identification. The post office will need to see proof of name, so choose to bring 1 acceptable document with your legal name on it from the list they provide. Any current signed passport, birth certificate, firearms certificate, or an EU National Identity Card with your photo are acceptable forms of I.D. The passport should be no more than 10 years old. For the UK, you should have a UK, EU, US, Canada, or Australia current driver’s license no more than 10 years old. Also, for the UK, Benefits Agency correspondence that you received within the last 13 months is acceptable. In India, you need to show 2 forms of passport-sized photo I.D. Post offices in India also accept ration cards and a letter issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India. If you’re opening a joint account, you need to present photos of all account holders.
Provide proof of identity as a senior citizen, if applicable. India has a program for senior citizens to open a special Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS). Seniors age 55 and over who have retired can open an SCSS at the post office. They need to provide a passport or birth certificate, voter’s I.D., senior citizen card or PAN, and so on. Seniors are required to pay a minimum balance of 1,000 rupees in cash to open a post office savings account.
Applying to Open a Post Office Account
Go to your local post office to get an application to open an account. Your local post office will give you an application for an account when you ask for one. Fill out the form, and make sure you have all documents for proof of address and photo I.D. The application can be found on the India Post official website. In other countries with a post office savings system, you can get the application from your local post office.
Pay your minimum deposit when you open an account. Bring a cash deposit when you turn in the forms to the post office. An initial minimum deposit of 50 rupees should be paid upon opening a basic account that doesn’t come with check books. You need to pay this in cash at the post office. You can pay a maximum deposit of 10,000 rupees. Opening a savings account that comes with a check book costs a minimum of 500 rupees. Senior citizens opening an SCSS account make a minimum initial deposit of 1,000 rupees. The benefits of an SCSS account allow senior citizens to invest their retirement money with as much security as a government-sponsored savings account. If you open an SCSS, you will see returns at a rate of 8.6%.
Indicate on the application what type of savings account you’re opening. You may choose an account with or without a check book, a basic savings account, an SCSS, and so on. They are all listed on the form for you to choose.
Write the first names of all applicants for the savings account. Up to 3 people can be in a joint account, so provide your name and the other 2 applicants who will be joint holders, if applicable. If you’re a minor, write the name of your guardian. You can fill an application out for someone who is severely ill and unable to do it themselves.
Provide your address and addresses of other applicants, if relevant. You need to provide the addresses, state, villages, localities, phone numbers, local post office, and email address for reach person on the account.
Write your date of birth on the application. There is a designated section to enter your date of birth. If relevant, provide any joint holder’s birthday in addition to your own.
Indicate who is filling out the application. If you are literate agent completing the application for someone else, mark this in the designated area. Also, note whether you’re applying jointly with someone or if the account will be your own.
Specify which documentation you’re providing. In a box on the application, you’ll be asked to write in the types of documents you’re providing for proof of address and identity, their numbers, and how many years those items are valid for. For example, you may write that you’re showing your passport and utility bill. Write the series of numbers from your passport on the form as well as the expiration date.
Fill in the amount of money you’re depositing. First, write it in numerals on the line provided. Then, write the amount in words on the line that asks you to do so. For mode of deposit, write how you’re paying. For a savings account, you must make your initial deposit in cash.
Nominate the applicants for the account. In the next box, you’re instructed to fill in the names of all applicants to nominate them as holders on the account. This can be just you, joint holders, or someone whom you are completing the application for.
Sign the form and give it to the clerk. They will approve the account with the initial deposit. You will receive a debit card upon making the first minimum deposit, as well.
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