It sounds odd because typically in the UK you need to get your photos and application signed by some 'trusted member of society', e.g. someone who does a job on

It sounds odd because typically in the UK you need to get your photos and application signed by some 'trusted member of society', e.g. someone who does a job on an approved list of professions and isn't supposed to have known you for more than 2 years. I suppose that's easily bypassed though. I had a much harder time validating my photo for my business account - the only verification that mattered then was one I had to pay for at the post office. It had to have a paper trail.