Guidance

List of acceptable proof of address documents for countersignatories

Updated 4 November 2025

© Crown copyright 2025

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capture-redress-scheme-countersignatory-information/list-of-acceptable-proof-of-address-documents-for-countersignatories

Acceptable proof of address documents 

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) requires one proof of address document for the countersignatory. This can be any of the following: 

  • mortgage statement – UK only, issued in the last 3 months 
  • financial statement, for example a pension or endowment – UK only, issued in the last 12 months 
  • statement from central or local government showing you are entitled to benefits – UK and Channel Islands only, issued in the last 3 months 
  • bank or building society account opening confirmation letter – must be a paper copy 
  • original utility bill – must be a paper copy 
  • benefit statement – UK only, issued in the last 3 months 
  • P45 or P60 statement 
  • council tax bill – UK and Channel Islands only, issued in the last 3 months, must be a paper copy 
  • current full or provisional photo card driving licence from the UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands – the address listed must be the current address of the countersignatory 

Where DBT states that this document must be a paper copy, this means it must be a paper copy that has been scanned or photographed. It cannot be a copy that has been downloaded from, for example, an online account.

Reasons documents will not be accepted 

Your documents will not be accepted if they are: 

  • blurred 
  • illegible 
  • out-of-date 
  • incomplete 

This will cause delays to your application.

Back to top