FLR (M): online bank statements as correspondence?

[handers1]

Hi all,

I am switching to an unmarried partner FLR(M) and my partner and I are gathering our joint correspondence. We have had a joint bank account for a year or so, but we do not receive paper statements. I'm wondering: would our online statements count as approved joint correspondence, if we get them printed and stamped by the bank on each page (as I need to do for my personal account to prove my salaried income)? In addition to documents from other sources, of course.

I would really appreciate knowing your thoughts. Has any one else used this as correspondence? It is a difficult requirement since all our utility bills and bank statements are online!

Many thanks!

[CR001]

I'm wondering: would our online statements count as approved joint correspondence, if we get them printed and stamped by the bank on each page (as I need to do for my personal account to prove my salaried income)?

Yes, as long as the bank stamps them it will be fine.

You can print the online utility bills.

Assuming you have lived together for at least 2 years??

[prejay]

Which bank do you bank with? Natwest outright refused to stamp my printouts. But yes - if they are willing to stamp them, it's not an issue.

[handers1]

Many thanks for your replies. Yes, we've lived together for more than 2 years, we just didn't think to request paper bills and statements when we moved in together!

I thought print outs of online utility bills were not acceptable as they're not the 'originals'? Would I need to request a letter from the utility companies stating they are originals (not even sure they would do that...)? Or have either of you requested that a utility company send you original hard copies of old online bills?

And I have gotten Barclays to print and stamp statements for me before. A bit of a faff, had to wait to speak to a personal banker as the tellers could not help me. They were a bit more understanding when I explained it was for a visa application, and that it was Home Office regulations, not me being picky!

[CR001]

I used online utilities but that was in 2010

[prejay]

I thought print outs of online utility bills were not acceptable as they're not the 'originals'? Would I need to request a letter from the utility companies stating they are originals (not even sure they would do that...)? Or have either of you requested that a utility company send you original hard copies of old online bills?

Just got granted a visa with a self-printed registry snippet, self-printed gas + electricity bill and a self-printed council tax statement (where the barcode was broken, so it was noticeably self-printed). I also printed them all out in black and white so I'm not even trying to imply that they were originals, but got no complaints from the ECO. Application went through just fine (the only original thing was a letter from the estate agents stating the house was big enough). Your millage may vary, though.