Proof of Address documents - Everything you need to know.
Why is proof of address even a thing? Why's it needed?
Proving that you live at a certain residential address is crucial in 'Know Your Client' or 'KYC' process.
It is important in verifying client identity and we are compelled to verify identity and proof of address to meet compliance and strict security measures as set out by the our Regulator and the Government.
You may need to provide proof of address in many different instances for example, opening a bank account, applying for a job, or dealing with companies that handle money.
The UK Government has set out it's requirements for proof of address here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/proof-of-identity-checklist/proof-of-identity-checklist
Commonly Accepted Documents for proof of address
- Bank Statement (dated within 3 months from a UK Bank)
- Building Society Statement (dated within 3 months)
- Credit Union Statement (dated within 3 months)
- Recognised Lender Mortgage Statement (dated for the current current year)
- Various Utility Bills (dated within 3 months); e.g.
- Gas Bills (dated within 3 months)
- Electricity Bills (dated within 3 months)
- Water Bills (dated within 3 months)
- Satellite/Cable TV provider Bill (dated within 3 months)
- Internet Service Provider Bills (dated within 3 months)
- Landline Phone Bills (dated within 3 months)
- NHS Medical card or letter of confirmation from GP’s practice of registration with the surgery
- Council tax bill from a Local Authority (dated for the current Council Tax year)
- Current Driving Licences (you usually cannot use a Driving Licence as a Photo ID method if you are also using it as proof of address). N.B. A provisional Driving Licence cannot be accepted as Proof of ID or Proof of Address.
- Solicitor's letter confirming house purchase (dated within 3 months)
- Land Registry confirmation of address (dated within 3 months)
- Council or housing association rent card or tenancy agreement for the current year
- Benefit book or original notification letter from Benefits Agency (but not if used as proof of name)
- HMRC self-assessment letters or tax demand dated within the current financial year
- Electoral Register entry
To be recognised as acceptable proof of address, these documents must contain your name and your current residential address. Remember different institutions have different practices. Unfortunately proof of address is not a 'one size fits all' game.
Proof of address
Alternative Proof of Address Documents
Here are some alternatives to the traditional methods
- Building Society Statements (dated within 3 months)
- Credit Union Statements (dated within 3 months)
- Recognised Lender Mortgage Statement (dated for the current current year)
- Solicitor's letter confirming house purchase (dated within 3 months)
- Land Registry confirmation of address (dated within 3 months)
- Lease Rental Agreement
- Council or housing association rent card or tenancy agreement for the current year
- Benefit book or original notification letter from Benefits Agency (but not if used as proof of name)
- HMRC self-assessment letters or tax demand dated within the current financial year
- Electoral Register entry; or
- NHS Medical card or letter of confirmation from GP’s practice of registration with the surgery
Please note that deferent institutions will have different rules as to what is an acceptable document for proof of address purposes.
How to ensure your proof of address Will be accepted
Top tips for accepted documents for proof of address documents; ensure:
- Name and address appear correctly
- Your document is recent, mostly within 3 months of the current date
- The issuer is a genuine company or financial institutions
Need Notarised Proof of Address?
We can help you with notarised proof of address.
You will need to show us your original proof of address document.
We will take a copy and then provide a Notarial Certificate stating that we have seen the original document and that the photocopy is a true and exact copy of the original.
This is the process for notarised proof of address.
Need Notarised Proof of Address But the Proof of Address is on an online portal?
That's OK! We can still help you.
You will need to log into your portal in the presence of the Notary and share a PDF of the statement from the portal which shows your address.
You can also do this via video conference using our Online Notary Service whereby you will log on to portal, share the screen with the Notary and then show the Notary the PDF statement which shows your address.
You can then email the PDF to the Notary who will provide a certification similar to the one done for original proof of address documents.
Why are notarised proof of address documents needed?
Proof of address documents usually require notarisation when you are dealing with a company like a bank or a financial institutions outside of the UK.
They want the Notary to confirm that the proof of address document is genuine and that the copy is a true copy of the original.
Notarised proof of address
Can I get my passport notarised copy?
Yes, passport notarised copy and notarised proof of address usually go hand in hand with notarised proof of address as they are part of the KYC or 'Know Your Client' procedures.
We can help you with this.
We will need to see your original passport and we will take a copy and provide a certification stating that we have seen the original document and that the photograph is a reasonable likeness to the bearer.
Passport Notarised Copy
If You Need Notarised Proof Of Address Or Passport Notarised Copy, Email Us: Notary@Notarypublicinlondon.com
Or Call Us To Arrange On +442074992605.
Tell Us What You Need And We Will Give You A Fixed Fee Quote.
How do you obtain proof of address when you are new to the UK?
If you've just arrived in the UK, obtaining proof of address documents can be tricky.
Our advice is to set up an account with a utility provider or enrol for Council Tax as soon as you can.
Opening a bank account to get bank statements is a chicken and egg scenario, best to open a utility account so that you have proof of address to open a bank account.
Keeping your address up to date is crucial so if you move, you need to let all utilities know your new address so this is constantly kept up to date.
This is even more important in the digital world we are now in.
FAQs
Q: Can a provisional Driving Licence be used as Proof of Address.? A: No, a provisional driving licence cannot be used as proof of address.
Q: Is a poll card proof of address UK? A: No, even though it is official government correspondence, generally a poll or election card is not accepted as proof of address.
Q: How can I get proof of address without bills? A: Use other documents like, Current Driving Licence, Bank Statements, Voter Registration, Educational Institutions letters, Employment letters, Lease Agreements.
Q. Can notarisation be done online? Yes, if you can share your proof of address billing portal with the Notary, it can be done online, it can also be done as an e-notarisation.
Q. Can notarisation be done online for passport copies? No. Passport Notarised Copy cannot be done online, the Notary will need to see the original physical document.
Q. Can a mobile phone bill be used as proof of address? No, generally mobile phone bills cannot be used as valid proof.
Q. Can a credit card statement be used as proof of address? No, generally a credit card statements cannot be used as valid proof of address.
Q. Why is proof of address necessary? Proving your address is necessary to prove your identity. It is critical in anti-fraud and anti-money laundering measures.
Q. Who can notarise a document in the UK? Only notaries can notarise documents in the UK. You may find that overseas consulates provide Notary services.
Q. Is a business bank account statement proof of address? A. No, it needs to be a personal bank statement showing your residential address.
Call to get proof of address certified