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 will likely need to provide proof of address to confirm where you live.

There are different types of valid documents you can use as proof of address; these vary based on your country of residence and the specific banks or service providers you are applying to. 

Continue reading to find out what proof of address is, the accepted documents, the ones that won't work, and where to get them.

A proof of address is a document that verifies where you live. Banks, financial institutions, and government agencies require it as a security measure to ensure the accuracy of the address information you provide. 

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

Institutions request proof of address because they want to be sure that they are able to communicate with you via regular post and be able to find you if necessary.

By verifying your residence, banks, and financial service providers can also prevent fraud and adhere to anti-money laundering laws.

A proof of address can be a basic document such as a residence permit or a lease agreement. Alternatively, it can be a document from a reputable service provider, like utility bills, confirming your current address's active use.

Each bank and institution has a different policy. However, most accept the following documents as proof of address:

• Recent utility bills, such as water, electricity, gas, a landline phone, or Internet bill 
• Bank statement 
• Credit card bill or statement
• Bank reference letter
• Mortgage statement or contract
• Letter issued by a public authority (e.g., a courthouse)
• Official government letters, such as tax statements, Social Security letters,  voter registration letters, etc. 
• Municipality bill 
• Council tax bill from the local authority for the current year.
• Company payslip
• Car or home insurance policy
• Car registration
• Authorised change of address form
• Letter of employment
• Official letter from an educational institution
• Residence permit
• Lease agreement for your residence
• Driving licence, with an additional document for complete verification, as it cannot confirm both name and address.
• An affidavit of residence, which is a legal and notarised document that acts as a sworn declaration affirming that a person resides at a particular address.

Each institution and country has its own list of accepted documents and methods for validating proof of address. It’s important to review these requirements carefully. For example, some banks prefer electronic bills over telephone bills and some banks may not accept insurance documents. 

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’s important to meet the following criteria:

• It should be issued in your name and match your government-issued identification.
• It must contain your current residential address.
• The document needs to be sent by a recognised authority and show their logo, name, and information. Documents from a bank, government agency, or judicial authority are often accepted.
• Your proof of address needs to be clearly dated. 
• The proof of address must be dated within the last three, six, or twelve 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. Requirements vary by institution. Some banks may ask for more recent documentation.

While the criteria are designed to verify proof of address, it has limitations. For instance, it is possible for someone to produce a document showing an address where they are not actually residing. Therefore, institutions may request two different pieces of proof of address to minimise the risk of fraud.

Conversely, some individuals residing at a valid address may not have their name on any of the documents, especially if they are a child or a dependent partner.

In the latter case, you may want to get in touch with your bank to discuss your specific situation and inquire about alternative solutions or documentation they may accept for proof of address.

It is always advisable to check with your local bank to get detailed information on which documents are valid and the rules they follow to authorise proof of address.

However, here are some commonly followed rules that you should keep in mind: 

• Your ID: In most cases, an identity card and passport are not accepted as proof of address even if they contain your address. This is because you need two separate documents to verify identity and address; IDs and passports are mainly proof of identity.
• An outdated document: A document that is more than 3 or 6 months old likely does not meet the criteria.
• Handwritten bills and letters: Handwritten bills and letters are not accepted because documents should come from an authoritative source.
• Photocopies: Most institutions require original documents as they need to verify the authenticity of the documents before approval. 
• 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 the 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.

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

When Your Bills Are in Your Name

If the bills arriving at your home address are in your name, finding valid proof of address is simple.

You likely already have proof of address at home. 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
• A recent bank or credit card statement
• Your payslips might be accepted if they include your residential address. 

Any of these documents should work, with utility bills being the most widely accepted. Just make sure they’re dated within the last three months, and it’s best to bring the original rather than copies.

When Your Bills Are Not in Your Name

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—there are still ways to provide valid proof of address.

This includes:

• 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 birth or marriage 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. 
• Use official government letters - Any government letter delivered to you with your name and address should work, such as tax notices, voter registration cards or letters, and social security correspondence.
• Find a lease agreement or recent insurance policy - Your lease agreement,  tenancy agreement or a recent insurance policy taken out in your name may be accepted. 
• 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. 
• Get a proof of residency letter or an affidavit of residence - This is an official document confirming an individual's place of residence. It is signed by a landlord, employer, or family member, supplemented with supporting documentation like an ID card, and is notarised.

When in doubt, reach out to your bank or institutions directly to inquire about what you can use as proof of address in your specific circumstances.

If You Have Recently Moved

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.

When You Don’t Have Physical 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.

Getting your hands on a proof of address is a simple process as long as you actually live 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.