Proof of Address
How To Get One

This could lead to prosecution and a criminal record. But what exactly is this proof of one’s address?

It is a document from a legitimate public organization preferably banks, building society, insurance company, local authority or the DVLA showing your name and address. This document must have been sent in the post to you and received at the address you are claiming within the last three months.

Commonly used items as proof of one's address in the UK include:

• Utility Bills (Electricity, Gas, Water, Sewage, Telephone or Mobile phone bill)

• Council Tax Bill

• Bank Account Statement

• Credit Card Account Statement

• Tenancy Agreement

• Mail Order Statement

• Hire Purchase Statement of Account

• Pension Book

• Driving License

• Medical card / NHS Card

Some banks and building society will not accept mobile phone bills.

You may be required to simultaneously provide a Proof of Identity. This is a document showing your details, as well as a photographic representation of you.

You could use your driving license or International Passport as proof of identity. Unfortunately, you are not often allowed to use the same material on a single occasion as both proof of identity and proof of your address even though they should do, like your driving license.

Suppose you just arrived into the UK, are living with someone else and do not have a utility bill in your name or a tenancy agreement. How can you provide a proof of your address?

There are two ways you can legally get proof of address in your name to enable you open a bank account, get job and work.

The first and by far the easiest way is to go to the post office and apply for a provisional driving license if you qualify.

You will need a fee of about £45.00 and a passport sized photograph. Send this off to the DVLA, and usually within two weeks you should get your provisional driving license and this can be used as a valid proof of your address.

The second way you can get proof of address in the UK is to speak to the person you are living with.

They may be able to call one of their utility companies (the telephone companies happen to be easier to approach) and explain that from that moment, the bills should be in your name. You do not need to do anything else.

Unfortunately, the draw back with this strategy is that it may take at least one month to get this change show ion the bill as oppose to two weeks in the above case.

Once the bill comes showing your name, you can use that to present to the bank, G.P or Loan Company as proof of address.

If you are a company or sole trader and needs a proof of address, there are companies that could provide you with a virtual address for a fee.