Proof of residency, also known as proof of address, is documentation that confirms where you live. It’s often required when applying for a driver’s license, school enrollment, government benefits, or certain jobs. Most people already have several documents that qualify without realizing it. While exact requirements vary depending on the agency or state, many documents are widely accepted.
If you’re missing formal paperwork like a lease or utility bill, you can use a notarized proof of residency letter—paired with supporting documents. Below is a categorized list of acceptable proof of address documents, including property records, utility bills, financial statements, and more.
Acceptable Documents as Proof of Residency or Address
There are many valid ways to prove where you live. To make things easier, we’ve grouped them by category—covering a range of situations including students, retirees, and individuals without utility bills in their name. If you don’t have one type of document, such as a lease or water bill, you’ll likely find alternatives under financial records, government-issued forms, or school documents. All documents must show your full name and current residential address to be considered valid.
Property Related Forms of Proof
These documents connect you directly to the address where you live. Most are legal agreements or official records that confirm ownership, rental status, or formal occupancy:
- Notarized proof of residency letter — A signed statement from a landlord or homeowner, ideally witnessed by a notary
- Mortgage statement or loan contract — Recent statement showing your name and residential address
- Authorized change-of-address form — Confirmation from the U.S. Postal Service reflecting your current address
- Lease agreement — A signed rental contract that includes your name, the property address, and dates of tenancy
- Property deed — Legal proof that you own the residence
- Homeowner’s or auto-insurance policy — A current car-insurance policy or declarations page can be used as proof of residency if it shows your full name and residential address. Some state DMVs list a valid auto or home insurance policy or card as an acceptable proof of address, and guidance on proof of address notes that insurance policies for your car or home are widely accepted. Make sure the policy is up-to-date and displays your address; it should be used alongside another document if the agency requires two proofs.
Government Issued Forms of Proof
Government documents are among the most reliable forms of address verification. They often include both your name and current address, and are frequently accepted by agencies for official use:
- Tax forms from the IRS or state revenue department — Includes W-2s, 1099s, or state income tax filings showing your address
- Driver’s license — Must reflect your current residential address
- State identification card — Issued by your state’s motor vehicle department with your current address
- Vehicle registration — Lists your name and residential address for the car you own
- Voter registration card — Accepted in most states if it shows your full name and residential address
- Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) — Commonly known as a green card; accepted if it lists your name and current address
- Official letter from a government agency — Includes mail from a courthouse, public benefits office, or other public authority
Financial Paperwork as Forms of Proof
Banks and financial institutions are required to verify your identity and address before opening an account. Because of this, their official documents are commonly accepted as proof of residency:
- Bank statement — Shows your name and current residential address
- Bank reference letter — A formal letter from your bank verifying your account and address
- Credit card bill or statement — Must include your full name and current address
- Canceled check — Returned by the bank and dated within 90 days of your application
- Credit report from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion — Must be issued within the past 12 months and show your residential address
- Automobile payment booklet or loan statement — Accepted if it includes your name, payment details, and residential address
Utilities Related Forms of Proof
Utility bills are commonly accepted as proof of residency, especially when dated within the past 30 to 90 days. Since service providers verify your address before activation, their statements serve as reliable documentation.
- Water bill — Must include your name and residential address
- Electricity bill — Recent billing statement showing current service address
- Residential gas bill — Accepted if it reflects your home address and name
- Landline telephone bill — Includes phone service tied to your residential address
- Internet bill — Statement for home internet service showing your address
- Cellular phone bill — Often accepted if your address is printed on the bill
- Trash or sewer service bill — Local municipal or private service bill linked to your residence
- Medical bill or healthcare statement — Accepted if it includes your full name, current residential address, and is dated within the past 90 days
Healthcare-Related Forms of Proof
Medical and insurance providers typically require address verification before issuing documents or activating coverage. As long as the paperwork is recent and includes your full name and residential address, it may be accepted as proof of residency:
- Medical bill or healthcare statement — Must show your name and current residential address and be dated within the past 90 days
- Health insurance statement or benefits letter — Accepted if issued within the past 12 months and includes your address
Employment Related Forms of Proof
Documents issued by your employer can also serve as proof of residency, especially if they include your full name and home address. These are often required in legal, immigration, or financial situations:
- Company payslip — Must display your name and residential address
- Letter of employment on company letterhead — A signed letter confirming your job and address
- Pension or retirement statement — Accepted if issued by an employer or retirement plan and includes your current address
Education-Related Forms of Proof
Education-related documents are often used by students or minors who need to verify residency. Parents or guardians may also need to provide these when enrolling a child in school:
- Official letter from an educational institution — Must include your name and current address
- Report card from a school or college — Accepted if it lists your address and is issued within the current academic year
- Certified transcript from a school or university — Must be issued by the institution and include identifying details
- Tuition invoice or official mail from a college or university — Accepted if dated within the past 12 months and includes your residential address
Acceptable Forms of Mail
In some cases, official mail delivered to your home address can serve as proof of residency. This may include court notices, benefit statements, or other documents from government agencies. To be valid, the mail must show your full name and current residential address:
- Court documents or traffic ticket — Official paperwork from traffic court or other legal proceedings
- Homestead Exemption Receipt — Issued by a county or state agency as proof of residency for tax purposes
- Jury duty notice — Accepted if issued within the past 90 days
- Selective Service card — Contains your name and registered address
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) statement — Recent benefits-related mail showing your current address
- Social Security annual statement — Yearly summary including your name and home address
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) statement or denial letter — Accepted if mailed within the past 12 months and includes your address
Proof of Residency (By State)
Many organisations, including state motor-vehicle departments, banks, schools and benefits agencies, ask applicants to provide two separate documents that show their current residential address. Acceptable proofs vary by institution but typically include a lease or mortgage document, a recent utility or financial statement, tax or pay-stub forms, insurance policies, vehicle or voter registrations, and official mail from government agencies. The table below summarises the documents accepted in several major states, based primarily on driver-license and REAL-ID requirements, followed by a general row for other states. Because these documents are used in many contexts, always check with the specific agency you’re dealing with for the most up-to-date list of acceptable proofs.
| State | Accepted proof‑of‑residency documents (examples) |
|---|---|
| California | Rental/lease agreement, deed or title, mortgage bill; home or cell‑phone utility bills; school, medical, employment or insurance documents; state or federal tax return; financial‑institution records; voter‑registration confirmation; property‑tax/BOE‑266 form; government or court letter; vehicle/vessel title/registration; letters from shelters or faith‑based organizations. |
| Texas | Deed, mortgage statement or residential lease; homeowners/renters insurance; electric, water, gas, satellite/cable or land‑line phone bill (≤90 days); medical/health card; Texas voter or vehicle registration/title; auto insurance or payment booklet; school report card/transcript; pay stub or W‑2/1099 (≤90 days); mail from banks or government agencies; US military document with address; Selective Service or concealed‑handgun license; TDCJ release/parole document; DS‑2019, I‑20 or other USCIS form. |
| Florida | Deed, mortgage statement or rental/lease agreement; utility bill dated within 30 days; Florida vehicle registration/title; certification of address when living with someone (their deed/mortgage/lease plus an additional address document). |
| Georgia | Mortgage/lease, property‑tax bill, homeowners‑insurance or military‑housing agreement; USPS‑delivered mail; government documents (benefit statements, voter registration, tax returns, firearms license, jury summons, etc.); financial statements; utility bills (water, sewer, gas, electricity, cable/satellite TV, internet, phone, garbage); motor‑vehicle registration/title or insurance; employer letter, paycheck or W‑2; school transcript/report card; health‑insurance statement or medical bill; residence‑verification form or letter from shelter. |
| Illinois | Bank statement or official electronic statement (≤90 days); cancelled check; certified school transcript; consular ID card; credit‑card statement; credit report (≤12 months); deed, title, mortgage or lease; homeowner or renter insurance; official school letter; medical claim/benefit statement; official government mail (homestead‑exemption receipt, jury notice, selective‑service card, Social Security statements, voter‑registration card); pay stub or pension statement; phone‑book listing; report card; tuition invoice; utility bill (electric, water, garbage, landline or cell phone, cable, gas). |
| Pennsylvania | Current PA driver’s license or photo ID; Pennsylvania vehicle registration card; auto insurance card; utility bill (cellphone, cable, electric, gas); post‑marked mail or package label; W‑2 form or pay stub; lease agreement or mortgage document. |
| New York | New York license, permit or non‑driver ID; recent bank statement or pay stub showing your address; printed electronic documents such as a utility bill or credit‑card statement (issued within the last 365 days); P.O. boxes not accepted. |
| Alabama | Voter‑registration card; mortgage contract; current lease or rental agreement; property‑tax receipt; previous‑year tax return with address; vehicle registration; water/gas/electric bill (≤90 days); state/federal court document; school‑enrollment documentation; DD‑214; sex‑offender registration; homeowner‑insurance policy; Social Security benefit statement or government check; military orders; note: if the bill is in a spouse’s or parent’s name, bring marriage or birth certificate. |
| Oregon | Oregon driver’s license or ID card; mail delivered by USPS/FedEx/UPS; utility hook‑up order or statement; bank or financial‑institution documents; Oregon vehicle title/registration; rental or lease agreement; voter notification or selective‑service card; educational documents (report card, transcript, tuition bill); insurance documents (homeowner, renter, medical, auto); pay stubs or W‑2/1099; DMV shared‑residence affidavit; marriage certificate; loan agreement; manufactured‑home ownership document; health‑benefits card; professional license; DS‑2019 (J‑1) form; letter from state hospital, shelter or employer. |
| Tennessee | Two documents from List A or one from List A and one from List B: List A includes current utility bill (phone, electric, water, gas or cable), bank statement, rental/mortgage contract or deed, employer verification (pay stub or work ID), insurance policy (auto/life/health), current Tennessee license/ID of a parent/spouse/guardian, vehicle registration or voter registration, W‑2 form, property‑tax receipt, on‑campus student ID, handgun permit, business documents; List B includes immigration‑status documents (ITIN card, I‑94, employment authorization, permanent resident card, etc.). |
| West Virginia | Two documents from List B or one from Lists B and C: List B includes WV utility bills (≤60 days, two cannot be from same company), tax records, mortgage or homeowner‑insurance documents, W‑2 (≤18 months), WV weapons permit, vehicle registration card, voter‑registration card, Driver’s Eligibility Certificate, homestead‑tax exemption, public‑assistance proof, rental or lease agreement, DMV affidavit of WV residency. List C includes college admissions letter, letter from shelter/hotel/mission, paycheck stub, Social Security benefits letter, professional license, Selective Service card, dealer’s temporary registration card, employer or bank letter, insurance card/1099. |
| Mississippi | Utility bills (electric, water, gas, cable); bank statements with physical address; paycheck stubs; lease or purchase agreement; medical records or bills; military discharge/separation papers; IRS or state tax forms; employer ID card with address; firearm permit; pilot’s license; school record/transcript; vehicle title or registration card; voter‑registration card; life/health/auto/home insurance policy; mortgage papers; property‑tax statement; driver license of parent/guardian. |
| District of Columbia | Utility or telephone bills (gas, water, electric, cable); deed or mortgage statement; unexpired lease or sublease; property‑tax bill; homeowner or renter‑insurance policy; official letter from federal or D.C. government agency; car or personal loan statement; home‑security bill; letter from college/university; D.C. DMV proof‑of‑residency certification. |
| Other States (general) | Two proofs of address are usually required. Most states accept documents from the same categories: mortgage, lease or deed; utility bills; bank or financial statements; tax forms or pay stubs; insurance policies; vehicle or voter registrations; and official mail from a government agency. Check your local DMV for any unique items or exceptions. |
FAQ
Proof of residency doesn’t need to be a hassle. Here are a few more of the most common and frequently asked questions by people who also wanted to know about documents that can be used as proof of residency or address.
The DMV is not a single agency with identical rules across all states. However, most DMVs in the U.S. accept a few common types of proof. These include a notarized affidavit or proof of residency letter, recent utility bills, a valid license or ID that hasn’t expired, a lease, deed, or mortgage statement, and financial documents like credit card bills or tax forms. If you’re unsure what your local DMV will accept, check their official website or call them directly. Their requirements are usually available online.
You don’t need to be on a lease to prove you live at an address. If you’re staying with a friend, a proof of residency letter signed by the homeowner or tenant and notarized is a valid starting point. Most agencies will also ask for two forms of proof, so you may need to provide a secondary document. This could be a utility or cell phone bill in your name or a paystub showing the same residential address. Always check the agency’s requirements to confirm what combination of documents is acceptable.
Yes, you can prove residency without a lease. All of the documents listed in this article are valid ways to confirm where you live. If you don’t have utilities, bank accounts, or financial records in your name, a notarized proof of residency letter is often your best option. This is especially useful for minors, students, or individuals who aren’t officially listed on housing agreements. Agencies typically accept a combination of documents to validate your address, even if none of them is a lease.
The most common proof of residency for minors is a notarized letter from a parent or legal guardian confirming the child’s address. However, other documents are also accepted, such as school ID cards, report cards, certified transcripts, or tuition invoices. If the minor is employed, a paystub showing their name and address may also be accepted. While many minors lack formal ID, utility bills, or a lease, a combination of school-issued documents and guardian verification is generally sufficient.
Yes. A recent car-insurance policy or declarations page can serve as proof of residency because it shows your name and residential address. Official sources like the Nebraska DMV include a valid auto-insurance policy or card on their list of acceptable proof-of-address documents, and identity-verification guides recognise car or home insurance policies as standard proof of address. Always check that your policy is current and that the agency you’re dealing with accepts insurance documents. In most cases you’ll still need a second proof, such as a lease or utility bill.
Opening a bank account without proof of address is extremely difficult in the United States. Banks are required by anti-money-laundering and “Know Your Customer” regulations to verify each customer’s identity and address. The federal Customer Identification Program (CIP) rules mandate that, before opening an account, banks must collect a customer’s name, date of birth, identification number and street address. If you don’t have a residential address, for example, you’re a member of the military stationed abroad, the CIP allows banks to accept an APO or FPO number or the residential address of a next of kin; however, you still need to supply a verifiable address of some kind.
Because of these requirements, most major U.S. banks will not open a checking account unless you provide a proof of address. The largest banks, such as Chase, Bank of America, Citibank and U.S. Bank, typically ask for a recent utility bill, a bank or credit-card statement or a lease or mortgage document to confirm your address. In addition to proof of address, they’ll also want standard identification such as a driver’s licence, passport or Social Security card.
If you can’t produce the required documents, you still have a few options:
1. Use an alternative address approved by the bank. U.S. service members can provide a Fleet Post Office (FPO) or Army Post Office (APO) address; individuals who live with relatives may be able to use the relative’s street address, provided they supply documentation verifying their relationship and residence.
2. Open an international or non-resident account. Some global banks, such as HSBC, Zenus or Charles Schwab, offer “international” or “expat” accounts that do not require a U.S. address. These accounts are aimed at non-residents and may allow you to use your foreign address instead. However, they often come with higher fees or minimum deposit requirements.
3. Consider digital or mobile-only banks. Neobanks like Revolut and Chime operate online and may not require a physical address to open an account; they typically verify your identity electronically. This makes them an appealing alternative if you lack traditional proof of address (note that Chime is currently available only to U.S. citizens and permanent residents).
4. Use a multi-currency or money-services account. Services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) offer multi-currency accounts that let you hold and spend USD without opening a U.S. bank account. You still need to verify your identity and provide some proof of address to comply with anti-money-laundering rules, but these accounts may accept documents issued outside the U.S.
In short, opening a U.S. bank account without proof of address is not impossible, but it’s challenging due to legal requirements. Major banks insist on a verifiable address and supporting documents. If you don’t have them, your best options are to use a permitted alternative address, such as an APO or FPO, explore international or expatriate banking products, or open an account with a digital bank or multi-currency service that has less stringent address requirements. Always check directly with the institution to confirm what documents are acceptable before you apply.
Final Thoughts
Most people can verify their address using one or more of the nearly forty document types listed above. You don’t need to gather all your documents from the same category—any combination is fine, as long as each one includes your full name and current residential address. Whether it’s a utility bill, a financial statement, government mail, or a school document, most official paperwork that meets these criteria will be accepted.
- New York (Erie County Clerk) – https://www4.erie.gov/clerk…
- Florida (Escambia County) – https://escambiataxcollector.com/know…
- Pennsylvania DMV – https://www.pa.gov/services/dmv/apply-for-real-id
- Tennessee DMV – https://www.countyclerkanytime.com/pdf/forms/BK…
- Nebraska DMV – https://www.nebraska.gov/dmv/dlr/pdf…
- California DMV – https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification…
