Filling in forms is something we all have to do for all sorts of reasons. Some are straightforward. Others are more complicated. For whatever reason we have to fill in a form, it is important that it is legible and that all the information that is required is clearly set out. If it is difficult to type in the information, it is a good idea to print it so that the recipient can read it easily.

THE BASIC INFORMATION

Market research

Market researchers who send out forms to a sample of people usually require you either to tick boxes or to answer specific questions. The only personal details they might require are your age bracket, your sex, your type of living accommodation, whether you are employed and your salary bracket. These are the easiest forms to fill in although they often look daunting at first because they sometimes consist of several pages. (See example in Figure 6.)

Personal details

Apart from forms used for market research which are

usually anonymous, the first page of all other forms will usually consist of your personal details (see Figure 7).

A VARIETY OF FORMS

The bank

Most of us, at some time, have dealings with a bank. Bank forms are usually straightforward and unless you are opening an account (see Figure 8), the two important requirements are the sort code, shown at the top right-hand corner of your cheque, and your account number, which is at the bottom of the cheque.

Mortgage account

The first section of the form will be the same as in Figure 8. The following questions will be as in Figure 9.

Standing orders and direct debits

You have control over standing orders and alter the amount as necessary. A direct debit means you give the beneficiary the right to tell your bank to change the fee when there is an increase. The sort code you will find at the top right-hand corner of your cheque. (See Figure 10.)

Dealing with the National Health Service

You will also have to fill in a form when dealing with the National Health Service. Fortunately the forms have recently been much simplified. Your National Insurance Number is sometimes required for these so make sure you keep it handy as it is often needed for other forms as well. (See Figure 11.)

Claim forms

Unfortunately claim forms have become a fact of life. There are few of us who, at some time, have not had to fill in one.

Perhaps we’ve had a car accident, or been robbed, or an appliance has been damaged or broken down.

These forms will often require more than the basic details. If you have a car accident, the insurance company will need to know exactly what happened. You must put into practice the rules you have learnt and write a concise account of the accident, as in the following example:

Details of accident
It was about 10.30 am on Wednesday 3 July 200X. It was raining and I had stopped at the large roundabout at the end of Send High Street. I started to drive slowly forward and realised another car was coming from the right so I stopped again. The car behind me did not stop and crashed into the back of my car, damaging the lock

on the boot and smashing both rear lights. The boot cannot now be opened.

Purchases

Paying for goods by instalments has become a recognised way of life. ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’ has never been so true and we all wish for modern appliances to make our lives easier. Nowadays we do not have to pay a large amount at once. Credit cards and department charge cards are here to stay and most of us own at least one. But before one is issued, we have to fill out yet another form. As well as your personal details, you will also need to answer the questions set out in the example in Figure 12.

Wedding gift list

Some department stores hold wedding gift lists so that guests can order appropriate gifts and have them gift wrapped and sent straight to the bride with a message. (See Figure 13.)

Insurance

We all have to have insurance of some kind. Many insurances are required by law. We have to have our car and our homes insured. Fortunately these forms are not too complicated and once the first insurance has been acquired, a renewal notice only is sent in succeeding years. As well as the normal personal details, you will have to fill in details about the car (see Figure 14).

Benefit

Sadly, many people have to claim benefit and to do so, it is again necessary to fill in forms. These are quite detailed but read them carefully and if you find them difficult to

complete, ask for help at your council or social security offices. If you are claiming housing benefit or council tax benefit, the council will want to know the following:

• (a)Your personal details including date of birth and National Insurance Number. You must provide the same information for your partner if you have one.
• (b)A list of children for whom you receive child benefit.
• (c)Details of anyone else living in the same house.
• (d)Details of your work and income including any other benefit you receive.
• (e)Details of any savings you have. The council may also ask for proof of these.
• (f)Details of the house in which you live.

The tax return

The tax return must be one of the most complicated forms to fill in. Fortunately the tax office provides us with a thick booklet of notes relating to specific questions. Do use this as it clarifies points that may be confusing.

Read the form through first and delete with a single line the sections that do not apply to you. As the form is comprehensive and is used for all categories from the high to the low income bracket, much of it will only apply to certain sections of the community. If you can get rid of the sections that do not relate to you, the form will not look so daunting. If you are self-employed, make sure you fill in the relevant pamphlet the Inland Revenue will send you.

If you have problems, do consult your local tax office. They are usually very helpful.

The driving licence

Driving licences are now issued in the form of a plastic photocard and paper counterpart. Both must be presented when required.

The photograph

You will require an up-to-date colour photo similar to a passport photo; it must be of good quality as it will be reduced and copied. To confirm it is a good likeness it must be signed on the back by a person of standing in the community: doctor, teacher, minister of religion, civil servant, police officer.

Proof of your identity

You must also send proof of identity in the form of current passport, birth certificate or adoption certificate. The originals must be sent. Copies are not acceptable.

Cost of the licence

The current cost in 2007 for a driving licence is:

Provisional licence	£38.00
Provisional licence to full licence	Free
Duplicate licence if lost or stolen	£19.00
Renewal of licence from age 70	Free
Exchanging EC/EEA or foreign licence	Free
Exchanging a paper licence for a photocard licence	£19.00
Change of name and/or address	Free
Renewal for medical reasons	Free

The form

Most of the information required on the form is standard but you will be required to answer a section about your health, both mental and physical. You will also be asked if you can read a car number plate at a distance of 67 feet.

The form must be signed legibly in black ink and the signature must be contained within the appropriate white box.

Job applications

Application forms will be discussed in Chapter 12.

Invitations

Wedding invitations, dinner invitations, invitations to formal banquets all require replies. On the bottom left of the invitation it will say ‘RSVP to . . .’.

RSVP stands for ‘Répondez, s’il vous plaît’ which is French for ‘Reply please’. It does mean that. If you are asked to reply, do so because your host or hostess needs to know the numbers that can be expected. Courtesy suggests you should do so as soon as possible so that someone else can be invited if you are unable to accept. Remember to reply whether or not you are able to attend.

WRITE LEGIBLY

Writing legibly on a form you fill in is vital. Every form is important so make sure that the recipient of it does not have to spend time deciphering your scrawl! It is a good idea to print most of the answers. If you are required to write something, as in a car accident claim form, then remember to write legibly and concisely.

• Don’t write the account of your accident straight on to the form.
• Write it out first and make sure it is clear and concise.
• Then copy it out neatly.

ASK FOR HELP

Never be afraid to ask for help when filling in a form. Some forms can be confusing but the company will be dealing with them all the time and will be only too happy to help you. It is in their interests too. It is much better to explain something to someone than to have to request that a second form be done as the first one is incorrect.

Do take a few minutes before you fill in a form to read it carefully. This can save you time later on. Make sure you fully understand it before you start to fill it in.

THE SIGNATURE

Before your signature some forms put something like the following: T declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief the statements above are true and I have not withheld any relevant information.’

It is also likely that you may be required to have your signature witnessed. This means that you must let somebody

watch you sign your name and then he or she should sign underneath to say your signature has been ‘witnessed’.

CHECKLIST

• Always look through the form first and delete anything irrelevant.
• Write out any details in rough first.
• Write legibly.
• Ask for help.

EXERCISES

• 1.You wish to make direct debit payments to the Electricity Board. Fill out the form on the previous page.
• 2.Write out the details of a car accident for your insurance company.