This is a significant move for Barclays. Online account opening, will be one of the next big things for Banks.

Finextra: Barclays introduces online account opening

The UK's Barclays Bank has added a paperless online application facility to its Internet banking service for customers wishing to sign up to its current account. Barclays says a typical application takes around ten minutes and the whole process is carried out online so customers don't have to send valuable documents through the post.Customers can also apply online for an overdraft as part of their application. Julian Brewer, head of online marketing at Barclays, says the online current account service also has fewer questions for customers to answer.

They need the usual identification, from the selection noted below. However they make one mistake, noted in this introduction text. Its not very friendly to say the applicant must complete in one go, particularly as this type of application will inevitably bring some confusion, when applicant realises they don't have the right ID handly.

Good start though. Here are the steps, and it seems simple enough.

Identification requirements:

Opening a Barclays Bank Account is easy. There are a few things you need to know before you start. This application should take around 10 minutes and as you won't be able to save it, please complete it in one go.

To confirm who you are, we need one of the following:

• Full UK passport.
• Full foreign passport.
• Passport in old name (must have supporting document regarding
  change of name, eg marriage certificate, Decree Nisi with birth
  certificate or Deed Poll document).
• UK driving licence: Paper version – full licence only. Photocard version – full and provisional.
• Blue Disabled driver's pass (must be current).
• European Union member state identity card.
• Firearms licence (must be current).
• Police warrant card.
• UK Armed Forces ID card.

To confirm where you live, we need one of the following:

• UK driving licence with current address: Paper version – full
  licence only. Photocard version – full and provisional. (Cannot be used
  if it has already been used for ID).
• European Union member state identity card (if not used as ID).
• UK bank statement – no older than three months (Internet statements are not acceptable).
• UK credit card statement – no older than three months (Internet statements are not acceptable).
• UK mortgage statement – no older than 12 months (Internet statements are not acceptable).
• Foreign bank statement.
• Gas, water, electric, cable TV or landline phone bill (less than three months old). Mobile phone bills are not acceptable.
• Local authority council tax bill (current financial year).
• Council rent book (must be current).
• Household or motor insurance certificate (no older than 12 months).