What is a Proof of Address, and How Can You Get One?

When opening a bank account, applying for a loan, or seeking services from government agencies, you may be asked to provide proof of address to confirm where you live.

But what exactly qualifies as a proof of address, and how can you obtain it? Continue reading to find out what proof of address is, the accepted documents, the ones that won't work, and where to get them, including if you've recently moved or in the case where you live with someone else.

A proof of address is a document that confirms a place of residence, often required by banks, financial institutions, and government agencies for security measures and compliance reasons. It helps verify your identity, prevent fraud, adhere to anti-money laundering (AML) laws , and ensure organisations can contact you or locate you if necessary. 

You usually need proof of address when opening a bank account, applying for loans or credit cards, dealing with government tasks, or taking part in legal proceedings.

Common documents include utility bills and government letters. Alternatively, a document from a reputable service provider that can confirm your current address's active use may be acceptable.

Each bank and institution has different policies on what is accepted as proof of address. However, below are the most commonly accepted documents, along with their validity periods:

Apart from the list above, there are other documents that may sometimes be accepted as proof of address, depending on the strictness of the requesting institution. These include:

Each institution and country has its own list of accepted documents. For example, Citi Bank accepts pay stubs, mortgage statements, government-issued mail, lease agreements, and utility bills, excluding mobile phone bills. [1] Standard Chartered accepts utility bills, government correspondence, and bank statements but does not accept mobile phone bills or credit card bills, and it's unclear whether they accept pay stubs. [2] On the other hand, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is more flexible and accepts cellular phone bills in some states. [3] 

To ensure you have the correct document, it’s always best to check with the specific institution in your country.

If you live in the UK, Hong Kong, or Singapore,  check out our related articles below to see the requirements and what is accepted as proof of address for each country:

• How to Get a Proof of Address in the UK
• How to Get a Proof of Address in Hong Kong
• How to Get a Proof of Address in Singapore

To ensure your proof of address is valid, it must:

• Be in your name and match your government-issued identification.
• Show your current residential address. P.O. Box addresses are not accepted.
• Be issued by a recognised authority and display their logo, name, and contact information. Documents from a bank, government agency, or judicial authority are generally accepted.
• Be clearly dated, usually within the last 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on the type of document and the institution requesting it.  For example, bills should be from the last three months, bank statements from the last three to six months, and government tax letters within twelve months. 

If your name isn’t on any official documents—perhaps because you’re living with someone else—you may need alternative proof of address. Contact the requesting institution to check acceptable options, such as a guardian’s verification or a supporting household document.

Here are documents that are commonly not accepted.

• Your ID: Identity cards, passports and social security cards are usually not accepted as proof of address, as institutions don't allow one document to serve as both proof of identity and address.
• An outdated document: A document that has exceeded its validity period, whether 3, 6, or 12 months. 
• Handwritten bills and letters: These are not accepted because they are not issued by an official or authoritative source.
• Photocopies: Most institutions require original documents to verify authenticity.
• Invoices of purchases: Typical invoices are not accepted as proof of address or identity verification because they lack the necessary authority.
• Any documents not listed on your bank's official list: Most institutions, especially banks, have a list of accepted documents. It’s always a good idea to check with your local branch in advance. 

If you are opening an account and have doubts, visit the bank branch with several documents. A bank representative can assist you in choosing the right ones. This will help prevent delays in your application and avoid the need for a second visit to complete the process.

The easiest way to get proof of address is to gather your utility bills.

However, depending on your current situation, there are several ways to find appropriate proof of address. We cover the different scenarios below.

If the bills arriving at your address are in your name, finding valid proof of address is simple. Browse through the pile of mail sitting in your mailbox, and you will likely find various utility bills, such as water bills and electricity bills.

You can use those, as utility bills are the most widely accepted proof of address document. Just make sure they’re dated within the last three months, and it’s best to bring the original rather than copies.

If your name isn’t on any utility bills—whether because you're a minor, dependent partner, subtenant, shelter resident, live-in caregiver, or for other reasons—you can try these methods:

• Get your name on utility bills - If you live with your parents or your partner, ask them to add your name to the utility bills. 
• Use a document in a relative's name - Some banks will accept a document in a relative's name as long as you can prove your family relation. Submit a letter confirming your residency with them, along with a marriage or birth certificate and one of their utility bills. However, it's worth checking with your local bank or institution if they will authorise this as a valid proof of address. 
• Get your name on mobile bills - Before using this method, check if the institution you’re sending documents to accepts mobile phone bills, as many providers do not prefer them. If they do accept mobile bills, visit your local provider to take out a basic phone plan and register the contract at the correct address. You will receive a bill or service contract from the service provider within a month of registering the plan, with your full name and address on it.

If you think you can't get a hold of utility bills, you could also use one of the following documents.

• Any official government letters delivered to you with your name and address, such as property tax notices and voter registration cards
• A lease agreement or recent insurance policy taken out in your name
• Recent bank statements, credit card statements or financial correspondence with your name and address
• Letter of employment or pay stub documents

Lastly, an affidavit of residence may be accepted. This is a notarised legal statement from your landlord, employer, or family member confirming your address. You will also need additional supporting documents, such as ID cards for both you and the involved parties.

To get proof of address after a recent move, update your address with utility providers, your bank, government agencies, the postal service, or your employer, and wait for the next bill or paycheck. 

Alternatively, you may be able to use your new lease agreement as valid proof. 

The key is to ensure your address is updated before gathering the documents.

If all your bills, bank statements, and other documents are digital, check with the bank or institution requesting proof of address to see if they accept printouts of these files or if they offer an online option for submitting original documents in PDF or a similar format.

If they do not accept digital formats, contact your provider to see if you can have a paper version delivered to your home. If you need to use bank statements, it should be straightforward to order paper statements online.

If you're specifically looking for proof of address for your business, it is similar to personal proof of address. Proof of address for a business is a document that verifies the company's physical location or registered address. 

Common documents that can serve as valid proof of business address include:

• Utility Bills: Electricity, water, gas, or internet bills in the name of the business can confirm its physical location.
• Government Correspondence: Official government documents sent to the business, such as tax payment notices, that include the registered address.
• Bank Statements: Bank statements addressed to the business at its registered address.
• Lease or Rental Agreement: A formal lease or rental agreement for commercial premises signed between the business and the landlord.
• Insurance Documents: Commercial property insurance documents that list the business address.

If you're a solopreneur or doing your business from home, you may be able to just use the proof of address of your home address. However, it’s advisable to check with the requesting institution to ensure they accept your specific documentation.

Getting your hands on a proof of address is a simple process as long as you actually live or do the business where you say you do. However, since each bank, institution and jurisdiction has its own set of documents and regulations for verifying proof of address, It is advisable to always check with your local bank branch or service provider before applying.