How to Get a Proof of Address in Singapore in 2023

Whether you want to open bank accounts in Singapore, apply for insurance, or get public welfare services, you must be able to provide two essential documents: proof of identification and proof of address.

But what is proof of address in Singapore, and where can you get it? This article will break down all the details.

What is a Proof of Address in Singapore?

Proof of address in Singapore is a document that verifies a residential address within Singapore, connecting your name to your actual address information to confirm your legitimate residence at the claimed location. 

Proof of address can be established with common documents like utility and telecom bills containing your name, address, and date, as well as bank statements and lease agreements. 

Moreover, different organizations require different types, criteria, and timeframes for proof of address.

For example, one organization may require a utility bill within three months, whereas another organization may require a bill within six months. The time frame may vary from document to document, as well. 

However, a common standard for many organizations is a three-month window. 

🔎 Tip: Explore the fundamentals of proof of address in our article explaining what proof of address is.

5 Situations When a Proof of Address Is Needed

Banks, financial institutions, government institutions, and other organizations ask for proof of address as a part of their compliance protocol and for security measures. It also helps them maintain an up-to-date record of your contact information, ensuring they can reach you when needed.

Here are some common situations where you need to show proof of your address:

When Banking

Whether you're opening a bank account, applying for a credit card, or seeking a loan, proof of address is a standard requirement. This ensures compliance with regulations and anti-money laundering laws and serves as a means of verifying your identity.

When Signing Up for Government and Welfare Services

Government agencies utilize proof of address to confirm an individual's eligibility for specific services and benefits, such as healthcare services and social welfare programs.

When Applying for Daily Life Services

Companies request proof of address to ensure accurate service delivery and billing when setting up services like phone plans, internet subscriptions, or utility plans.

Enrolling in Schools

Proof of address helps schools determine catchment areas. It also aids in maintaining accurate records, ensuring they can reach you when needed.

When Renting a Property 

Landlords request proof of address from tenants to confirm their identity and to maintain accurate records for administrative purposes.

The issue of falsified proof of residency has dramatically increased through the years. Documents can easily be doctored, or temporary addresses can be submitted to replicate a permanent one. An example of this is a case where a couple was fined for providing a false home address to enroll their child in a prestigious primary school.

This has pushed the process and necessity of proof of address to be extensive and crucial.   

What Are Accepted as Proof of Address in Singapore?

The following is a comprehensive list of most (but not all) documents that are commonly accepted as proof of address in Singapore:  

• Local utility bill (within 3-6 months, depending on the organization's specifications).
• Local telecommunication bill indicating specific date, address, and name. 
• Local bank statement/credit card statement.
• Valid passport with the address indicated by Immigration Authorities within 6 months.
• Bills, statements, or letters issued by the Central Provident Fund Board & Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (within 1 year).
• Letters or documents issued by an insurance company within Singapore (within 6 months).
• Signed tenancy agreement (with signatures of both the tenant and the landlord within 1 year).
• Letter from a public authority (such as a court or power of attorney).
• A mortgage loan statement or agreement (within 1 year).
• A letter from the school indicating your address (restricted to official letters from educational institutions or schools under the purview of the Council for Private Education or Ministry of Education).
• A letter of employment signed by an authorized person of the company indicating your address.
• Your car's registration.
• An insurance policy for your car or your home.
• Letters or bills issued by other local government agencies within a certain time frame (e.g., Housing Development Board, Land Transport Authority and Town Council, etc.).
• In-Principle Approval (IPA) granted by the Ministry of Manpower or Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) 

There may also be differing proof of address requirements depending on residential permits or immigration status.

Note: Some of the above forms of proof of address may be accepted, while others may be rejected. Therefore, be sure to confirm accepted forms of proof of address with the organization beforehand. 

Proof of address may also vary depending on whether you are registering online or in person.

In some cases, providing NRIC, which is a National Registration Identification Card in Singapore, which indicates your address, name, and photo, is acceptable proof of address in person. 

However, this option is typically only applicable if you are a Singapore citizen or permanent resident. You will likely need additional documents alongside your NRIC as well, as NRIC alone may not suffice as the sole proof of address. 

What Are Not Accepted As Proof of Address?

The following are, in most cases, not acceptable forms of proof of address when presented on their own. 

• Your proof of identification without any other supporting documents.
• An address that is commercial and not a residential address. 
• Any official letters or agreements that exceed the indicated time frame.  
• Any proof of address that exceeds a certain time frame (time frame indicated by organization regulations).
• Any documents that indicate your residence at a different address.
• In some cases, copies or print-outs of documents (this will be dependent on the organization and whether this process is being done virtually or in-person).
• Pension agreements.
• Receipts and invoices for purchasing goods.
• Document with Post Office (PO) Box address as opposed to residential address

In almost every case, your NRIC cannot be the sole proof of address.

There must always be one more supporting document with your name and address on it.  

How to Get Proof of Address in Singapore 

As you may have observed, proof of address is a fundamental requirement for a variety of activities in Singapore, and you've gained insight into what qualifies as such documentation.

In the following sections, we'll cover the most common ways to obtain proof of address in Singapore, whether you are a local or a foreigner. 

⚠️ Warning: Address fraud is a legal violation. Please only seek these documents if you currently reside in Singapore.

Bills

Your existing bills—like local utility and telecommunication bills featuring your name, address, and date—serve as the most common and straightforward option for proof of address in Singapore. 

Typically, these bills are valid for about three months, although the timeframe may vary depending on the requesting organization. This validity period is in place to confirm the active use of the address.

Keep in mind that bills must be in your name and display your current address to be considered valid. 

If you don't have bills in your name, there are alternative options to explore.

Bank or Credit Card Statement 

A bank or credit card statement is another commonly used proof of address, as it comes from a trusted source—the bank.

If you need proof of address for government-related purposes or any other activity and you already have a local bank account, you can present a recent bank statement that has your name and address displayed. 

In another situation, if you have relocated, it's initially crucial to contact your home country's bank to let them know that you've moved. This will prevent any bank account freeze or account closures. During this process, you may be able to update your address to your current one in Singapore.

As a result, your next bank statement should reflect your new address, and you can use it as proof of address. 

Lease Agreement, Mortgage Loan, or House Insurance

Consider a scenario where you have acquired or rented a place, whether it's a recent purchase or rental, and you haven't received any recent bills. 

In this case, you may be able to provide evidence of your recent lease or recent ownership to be used as proof of address. 

Such documents include

• Signed lease agreement (with signatures of both the tenant and the landlord within 1 year).
• Documentation related to a home loan, such as a mortgage statement or agreement.
• Documentation issued by an insurance provider based in Singapore (dated within the last 6 months).

Documents From a Government Agency

Another option to obtain proof of address is to find any recent documents issued by a government agency. These documents should be within the requesting organization's timeframe (usually within 6 months or 1 year) and display both your name and your current address. 

Commonly accepted government agencies for this purpose include 

• The Central Provident Fund Board & Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
• Singapore's public authorities, such as courts or power of attorney
• The Housing Development Board (HDB) Singapore 
• Land Transport Authority (LTA) Singapore
• The Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
• Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)

Other Cases

If you are an international student, you may be able to acquire proof of address by reaching out to your educational institution. They understand the significance of this documentation for various activities within the country.

However, it's crucial to keep in mind that the accepted documents or letters as proof of address are restricted to official letters issued by educational institutions or schools under the authority of the Council for Private Education or the Ministry of Education.

If your employer provides your accommodation: You may be able to provide an address along with evidence that shows your employer provides this address, as well as evidence of your employment. Documents must be signed by the authorized individual within the company. 

📝 Note: While common, these options don't guarantee acceptance. Please review your requesting organization's condition of what is accepted and what is not.

Examples of Accepted Proof of Address Requested in Singapore

To offer you a better grasp of different requirements and conditions, let's look into some of the conditions for proof of address established by leading Singapore banks.

DBS Bank Singapore Proof of Address  

Acceptable proof of residential address for residents:

The latest copy of one of the following:

• Front and back of NRIC
• Local utility bill
• Telecommunication bill
• Local bank or credit card statement

Acceptable proof of residential address for foreigners: 

The latest copy of one of the following:

• Letter of offer 
• Letter of employment
• Certification letter from the school
• Certificate of stamp duty
• Local utility bill
• Local telecommunication bill
• Local bank or credit card statement
• In-Principle Approval (IPA) granted by Ministry of Manpower or from ICA (condition applied)
• Work permit of foreign domestic worker granted by Ministry of Manpower

DBS Bank Singapore does not accept PO boxes, Care-of, office, and school addresses.

Additionally, they do not accept tenancy agreements as proof of address.

Standard Chartered Proof of Address  

Standard Chartered accepts the following documents as proof of address, either in original form or as verified copies:

• Utility bills, such as those for gas, electricity, or water.
• Bank statements.
• Government correspondence, including documents like tax bills.
• Letter of Introduction confirming your address, issued by a subsidiary or a third-party bank in an approved country. This letter should be addressed explicitly to a Standard Chartered representative ("To whom it may concern" is not accepted).

All documents must be dated within the last 3 months.

What to Expect Once You've Provided Proof of Address 

Normally, you'll find that the requirements and steps for verifying your proof of address are clearly laid out upfront. Once submitted, the banks or government agencies will need to review everything. 

Pay close attention to any follow-up emails or calls, as they may ask for extra details or documents.

Staying informed about the process is the best way to ensure it doesn't take longer than necessary. After all, good communication both ways makes the verification go smoother.

In some cases, an automated check are conducted. However, the following are necessary steps in the process that are done manually:

• Inspection of documents to check for watermarks, indications of graphic design alterations, security features, or any other signs of falsification.
• Confirmation of dates, with proof of address indicating dates that adhere to the required time frame.
• Confirmation of your name on the document.
• Confirmation of the address indicated on the documents. The address must be determined to be a real address that exists.

Once all documents have been verified, you will be notified. It is important to make sure all of your documents and information are up to date in order to avoid delays, suspension, or rejection of an application. 

Documents can be rejected if your name, address, or any other information does not align.

Be sure to confirm everything is accurate and ensure all information coordinates with the rest.  

Informing your bank, insurance companies, etc., of any address change will prevent issues when providing proof of address for any reason in the future. Keep your documents organized.

As long as you do live where you are saying you live, the process to get proof of address should be relatively painless.  

Proof of Address for Businesses in Singapore

If you want to open a business bank account in Singapore, you must specify the address where your business operates, known as your "business address." This address is separate from the "registered office address," where the company maintains its official records.

According to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority in Singapore, If you run a sole proprietorship with a small-scale business from your home, your personal residence could be used as your business address within the Home Office Scheme. 

Otherwise, you can provide the address of your office where your business is being operated. 

Essentially, acquiring proof of the business address can be done much like obtaining a residential address. Recent company bills or a valid company lease agreement could work. However, in many instances, you may require additional or specific documents, and this can vary depending on the bank or government agency's requirements.

In addition, when you register a new business in Singapore, you must provide proof of the residential address of all business owners.

A PO Box address won't work as a business address or registered office address. If you're setting up a local company, you must have a physical office space.

Company registration and other business-related documents that do not correspond with the current actual address will likely not be accepted as well.

🔎 Interested in starting a business in Singapore? Check out our comprehensive Singapore business guide for entrepreneurs.

Final Thought

To wrap up, you can obtain proof of address in Singapore by using utility or telecom bills that include your name, address, and date. Alternatively, a local bank or credit card statement is also effective.

Documents from government agencies such as the Central Provident Fund Board, Inland Revenue Authority, or the Housing Development Board are also considered valid. 

For those in Singapore for business and looking to open a business bank account, keep in mind there are additional requirements beyond your office's proof of address.