Guidance

List of acceptable proof of address documents for countersignatories

Published 29 October 2025

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  • out-of-date 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.