How to Get Proof of Address: Easy Ways Explained [2025 Guide]

If you’re running a business from home, a co-working space, or fully online, that ‘proof of address’ request can feel like a bureaucratic brick wall.

It’s one of those tasks that suddenly makes you wonder why something so simple can be so complicated.

However, there are easy, legitimate ways to get proof of address without tearing your hair out.

Whether it’s for opening a bank account, registering your company, or satisfying regulatory requirements, having the right documents makes all the difference.

Let’s check the simplest, fastest, and fully legal ways to get it done.

What is proof of address, and why do you need one?

Proof of address is an official document that confirms where you or your business is based.

It usually shows your name and your residential or business address.

Why do you need one?

• Identity verification: It’s a way to prove you are who you say you are and that you live or operate where you claim.
• Legal and regulatory compliance: Businesses need it for Companies House and other regulators. It helps prevent fraud, money laundering, and identity theft.
• Opening a bank account: Banks won’t set you up without it. They need to tick the KYC (Know Your Customer) box and confirm your address.
• Business communications: Your registered office address is the central place for official letters, legal notices, and public records.
• Company formation and director checks: Under the 2025 Companies House rules, directors and anyone with significant control (PSCs) must show proof of address during ID verification.

Proof of address is more than a formality. It keeps records accurate, ensures compliance with the law, and protects both individuals and businesses from fraud.

6 easy ways to get proof of address

If address verification is slowing you down, here are the quickest, most reliable ways to tick that box and move forward.

1. Utility bills

Recent utility bills, such as electricity, gas, water, and broadband, showing the business address, are one of the most widely accepted forms of proof of address for businesses.

The bill needs to be in your business name, or in some cases, in the name of an authorised person, such as a director.

The most important part is that the address on the bill has to match your registered or trading address.

The bill must clearly display the utility provider's name and logo, the business address, and a recent issue date, typically dated within the last 3 months.

Suppose the utility bill isn’t under the business’s name. In that case, some banks or organisations may require additional documentation, such as a lease agreement or a letter from the property owner to confirm the business's right to occupy the premises.

💡 Institutions usually prefer the original paper bill or an official electronic version directly from the utility provider rather than photocopies.

2. Bank or credit card statements

Banks are pretty strict about keeping customer details up to date.

That’s why their statements are seen as one of the most reliable proofs of address. If you’ve got a recent statement, it shows two things:

• Your business is active at that address.
• You’re receiving official correspondence there.

It also meets the requirements for KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) checks, since it proves a physical location tied to your business.

How recent does it need to be?

Freshness matters. Most banks and regulators want a statement that’s no older than 3–4 months. Anything older might raise eyebrows because it may not reflect your current address.

Paper or electronic statements are fine, but they must be official and ideally downloaded directly from the bank, complete with logo or watermark.

Also, make sure the business name and address match your official filings exactly. Even a small mismatch can cause delays.

What if the address doesn’t match?

If the address on your statement isn’t your registered business address, be prepared to provide extra documents, such as a tenancy agreement or utility bill, to bridge the gap.

And no, a handwritten note or a quick print screen won’t cut it.

It has to be an official document from the bank. Some banks will even issue a bank reference or confirmation letter on request, which can also work as proof of address.

With ANNA, you can get a business account in under 10 minutes, helping you stay on top of your financial admin.

3. Lease or tenancy agreements

A signed and dated lease is your official ticket to showing you have the legal right to operate from a specific address. It should clearly include:

• Your company name
• The property address
• Lease duration and rent terms
• Key obligations for both parties

This document proves you have a physical presence and are actively operating from that location, which is why banks, government bodies, and regulators trust it for a KYC and AML compliance check.

You also often need it for contracts, tax filings, supplier onboarding, and official company records.

What makes a lease valid for proof of address?

• It must be signed and dated by both parties.
• It needs to be current, ideally not older than 3 months, or clearly valid for ongoing occupancy.
• The address on the lease should exactly match your registered business address to avoid mismatches.
• For co-working or shared spaces, the agreement should state your exclusive or designated use of the address.

Some institutions will ask for supporting documents, such as a utility bill, alongside the lease.

If you’re using a virtual or serviced office, many banks and agencies now ask for additional proof, such as utility bills or official letters.

Lease documents may also be required to verify addresses for directors and beneficial owners, especially with the mandatory ID checks coming into force in November 2025.

📢Don’t miss out: What the new Companies House ID rules mean for proving a director’s address?

The new Companies House ID rules are shaking things up when it comes to proving a director’s address.

Starting in November 2025, directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs) need to provide verified identity, including proof of address, either directly to Companies House or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

What counts as proof of address?

• Typically, official documents, such as recent utility bills, council tax bills, bank statements, or government correspondence that clearly show your name and residential address.
• These documents generally need to be recent, usually within the last 3–6 months.
• The verification process goes above paperwork. It also involves biometric or photo ID checks to match the documents and confirm the director’s identity. This means Companies House can be confident the person listed really lives at the stated address.
• Directors must keep this verified evidence on record since failure to comply can lead to penalties, disqualification, or even removal from the register.
• For directors appointed after the new rules become mandatory, verified address evidence must be provided during appointment filing, before they can legally act as a director.
• Existing directors get a 12-month transition period to complete their address verification and have supporting documents on file.

In a nutshell, the rules mean that address verification is now more rigorous than ever, combining physical documents with biometric checks to ensure a higher standard of compliance.

💥 Did you know that ANNA is now an official identity checker for Companies House?

ANNA can now handle legal identity verifications for company formation on behalf of applicants.

This is a big vote of confidence in our services, already trusted by over 16,000 UK businesses.

By using ANNA to register your company, you simplify compliance with the new identity check rules, helping prevent fraud and fake registrations.

Thanks to its ACSP status, ANNA lets you start your business the legal and smart way, taking care of all the necessary identity checks as part of the process.

4. Council tax or business rate bills

Council tax bills or business rates statements related to business premises serve as official proof of address documents and are valid if issued within the last 12 months.

Council tax bills

Council tax bills come from your local council and show both the property address and the name of the person or business responsible for paying the tax.

While they’re mainly residential, they can still be useful for businesses operating from a home address or even part of a property.

The key is that the bill is recent, usually issued within the last 3 to 12 months.

These bills are considered official documents and are widely accepted by banks, government agencies, and regulators for identity verification and compliance purposes.

Business rate bills

Business rates are essentially a property tax for commercial or non-domestic premises. Local councils send these bills to businesses occupying commercial spaces, and they include the official business address and account details.

The rates reflect the rateable value assigned by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). Like council tax bills, business rates statements issued within the last 12 months are valid as proof of address.

They’re especially useful because they confirm the business is actively occupying the premises, demonstrating legitimacy and an ongoing operational presence.

💡Good to know

Both council tax and business rates statements are official, government-issued documents, which makes them highly credible for proving a business address.

Businesses operating from home may pay both council tax and business rates, depending on the nature of the business and use of the property.

If a business rates bill is not available, for example, for new businesses in new premises, other proofs, such as leases, utility bills, or bank statements, might be accepted instead.

Businesses and individuals can request copies of council tax bills or business rates statements from the local council if original documents are lost.

5. HMRC correspondence or other government correspondence

HMRC correspondence or tax letters addressed to a business are official documents that can serve as valid proof of address.

Correspondence from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) includes:

• Letters,
• Statements, or
• Official documents related to tax matters, VAT registration, PAYE, National Insurance, or business taxes.

HMRC also sends annual tax notifications, payment reminders, and confirmation letters that verify the business’s physical location for tax or regulatory purposes.

HMRC is a trusted government authority, so its correspondence is universally accepted as reliable proof of address.

These documents have the business name and the registered business address and confirm that the business is officially registered at the stated address for tax administration and other statutory obligations.

They are often required during banking, company formation, regulatory checks, and compliance verifications as part of identity and address validation.

ANNA handles payroll, VAT, and Corporation Tax, as well as everything you need to register your business and file your confirmation statement.

This way, you can start your business with HMRC’s boxes all checked.

What else you need to know

HMRC letters can serve as proof of address, but they must be recent, typically issued within the last 12 months.

The document should be an original or an official electronic version directly from HMRC, clearly showing your business name and address.

Copies or undated letters generally won’t be accepted by banks or government agencies.

Most businesses receive relevant HMRC letters automatically, either by post or through their Government Gateway or HMRC digital account.

If you need proof of address quickly, you can request a specific confirmation letter or download correspondence from your digital inbox.

Keeping your registered business address up to date with HMRC ensures that any documents you receive reflect the correct current address.

6. Mortgage statements for business-owned premises

A mortgage statement includes:

• The property address,
• The name of the business or individual holding the mortgage,
• The outstanding balance,
• Payment history, and
• The lender’s contact details.

The document is typically issued annually or quarterly, and it also must be recent, usually within the last year.

Mortgage statements are considered very reliable because they come from regulated financial institutions.

They show ownership or financial responsibility for a property, which also confirms your business is physically operating at that address.

Banks, government agencies, and regulators accept these statements for identity verification, compliance checks, and company registrations.

Ideally, use an original or certified statement. Some institutions may accept copies or scanned versions, but it’s always best to check their specific requirements.

Here at ANNA, we accept Current Mortgage Statement or Mortgage Redemption Statement as a proof of address.

We also accept:

• Recent Utility Bill: Gas, Electricity, Water, Telephone (not mobile phones) dated within past 3 months
• Current Council Tax Bill
• Current UK / EU Photocard Driving Licence
• Current Bank / Building Society / Statement
• Solicitor letter confirming completion of house purchase
• Credit Card Statements from main provider
• Account, investment or insurance documents
• Signed Tenancy Agreement

We used to accept PDFs only, but now we do screenshots as well.

🎁 Checklist: What to do if Companies House rejects your registered office?

If Companies House doesn’t accept your registered office as proof of address, don’t panic. Here’s a step-by-step approach to sort it out:

✅ Understand the reason: Check Companies House’s notice to see why your address was rejected (unauthorised use, incomplete or invalid address, outside UK jurisdiction, or something else).

✅ File an RP07 form if misused: If your address is being used without permission, submit an RP07 (Disputed Registered Office Address) form. The Registrar will investigate.

✅ Provide proof of authorisation: Show you’re allowed to use the address with documents like a lease, property title, written agreement, or a recent utility bill (within six months).

✅ Respond promptly: Reply to notices within the timeframe (usually 28 days) with the necessary evidence or explanation.

✅ Change your registered office if needed: File an AD01 form to update your address if the dispute can’t be resolved. Keep all company records updated.

✅ Consider a professional service: Use a registered office or virtual office provider if you don’t have a suitable address.

✅ Appeal if necessary: You have 28 days to appeal any Registrar decision; get legal advice if you plan to contest it.

ANNA can help you set up a virtual office and simplify mail handling while ensuring your important communications are managed securely, reaching you without delays.

Let’s recap: How to get proof of address?

From opening bank accounts to satisfying Companies House and regulatory requirements, having the right documents in order protects you from delays, fines, or unnecessary headaches.

Don’t wait until a bank, regulator, or partner raises the issue. Instead, get your documents sorted now.

Even seemingly small mismatches or outdated proofs can slow you down, so it pays to be proactive.

One way to make this process effortless is by using ANNA Money.

ANNA not only helps with banking and financial management for small businesses, but it also makes handling official correspondence, address verification, and compliance documentation much simpler.

Let’s check how.

How to keep your business officially recognised with ANNA Money?

ANNA Money is an all-in-one solution that combines banking, finance management, and document handling all in one place.

Besides the same-day company formation, ANNA provides tools to receive and track important letters and statements, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.

Whether it’s bank statements, HMRC correspondence, or Companies House notifications, ANNA helps you stay on top of the documents you need for proof of address and identity verification.

From invoices to expense tracking, we ensure your financial records are tidy and official to support proof of address and business operations, but also simplify tax filings and audits.

Here’s what we bring to the table:

✨ All-in-one tax support: From VAT and payroll to Corporation Tax, ANNA has you covered, keeping your business fully HMRC-compliant.

✨ Automatic tax calculations and filing: PAYE, VAT returns, and Corporation Tax are handled for you, with helpful reminders so deadlines never sneak up.

✨ Smart receipt scanner: Just snap a photo, and ANNA matches the expense to your transaction and sorts it into the right category.

✨ Tax-saving pots: Every time you get paid, ANNA automatically sets money aside for taxes, so you’re never caught off guard.

✨ Bookkeeping score: Complete quick, actionable tasks to tidy up your records and potentially lower your tax bill.

✨ Professional invoicing with card payments: Create polished invoices with your logo and let clients pay easily via a unique link or QR code.

💥 What’s new?

ANNA becomes the first UK provider to let a Large Language Model (LLM) AI agent register a business end-to-end, including identity verification, payment, and company registration.

This giant step signals a breakthrough in automating complex financial onboarding and company formation.

Try ANNA today and keep your proof of address ready, so banks and regulators never slow you down.