RBI expands list of documents as valid proof

The additional documents shall be deemed to be officially valid documents under 'simplified measure' for 'low risk' customers

Opening a bank account is likely to be easier with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expanding the list of documents that can be used as valid proof of identity and address.

Bills for electricity, postpaid mobile, gas (not more than two months old), property or municipal tax receipt, bank account or post office savings bank account statements, documents issued by government departments of foreign jurisdictions and letter issued by a foreign embassy or a mission in India will now be accepted as valid.

Even pension documents of retired employees can be accepted, if it contains the address. RBI has allowed banks to accept letter of allotment of accommodation from employer issued by state governments, regulatory bodies etc.

"The additional documents mentioned above shall be deemed to be officially valid documents (OVDs) under 'simplified measure' for 'low risk' customers for the limited purpose of proof of address where customers are unable to produce any OVD for the same," said RBI in a notification.

RBI prescribes the norms for categorising customers into "low", "medium" and "high" risk category depending on the average minimum balance and volume of transaction in that account. For instance, customers holding low balance will fall under the "low risk" category.