Access to Banking if you can't show proof of ID in branch

With one bank that I approached late last year it took both of us (joint account) to visit the bank itself in order to sign and verify the documentation. They also wanted up to date quality evidence (DWP letters etc) of where we live + both of our passports.
The whole business took over 2 hours to complete!!
You might say that we should have gone elsewhere but I had refusals from the main street banks already.
Reason - Nat West closed the account we had last year and Metro was the only one that would accept us.
We both have excellent credit rating, have no criminal record etc.