William Lipovsky
Proof of address, or proof of residency, is often required for situations where you have to prove your identity.
Many government programs, financial institutions, and government agencies like the DMV require proof of address for certain transactions.
There are many ways to prove your address. We’ll tell you about all the documents you can use, plus the quickest way to get those documents if you don’t have any already.
What Documents to Use for Proof of Address
There are several types of documents and correspondence that you can use to prove your address. In order to be accepted, the documents must be addressed to you, rather than someone else in your home.
Below is the list of documents that are generally accepted as proof of residency.
1. Utility Bills
Most types of utility bills can be used as proof of address, as long as they include your name on the statement. Utility bills include:
- Electric bills
- Gas bills
- Water bills
- Cable or internet bills
- Landline phone bills
See our related research for information on providing residency if you live with your parents and don’t have any utility bills.
2. Financial Statements
You can use one of several different types of printed financial statements as proof of address, including:
- Monthly checking or savings account statements
- Loan payment statements
- Pay stubs that show your address
- Credit card bills
Note that financial statements used as proof of residency must be pre-printed by a financial institution, rather than from a home printer.
3. Residential Documents
Documents relating to either ownership or rental of your home or apartment can also be used as proof of address. These documents include:
- Mortgage documentation
- Property tax receipts
- Lease agreements
4. Government Correspondence
Any piece of mail from a city, county, state, or federal government agency can be used as proof of residency. This includes letters mailed to you from a court or municipal center, the DMV, Social Security, or any government department.
5. Vehicle Documents
If you have a vehicle registered in your name, you can use either your registration card or insurance card to provide proof of address.
6. Other (Less Ideal) Documents
If you don’t have access to any of the above ways to prove your address, other acceptable documentation includes:
- Official school transcripts
- Insurance policies
- Income tax statements
- Military orders or documents
- Notarized affidavit of residency
How to Get Proof of Address Quickly
The good news is that you may already have one or more of the documents listed above laying around your house.
If you don’t have a copy of any of the above documentation on hand, here are a few ideas on how to quickly get documents that prove your address:
- Visit your bank or credit union and ask for a copy of your most recent account statement that includes your name and address. Most financial institutions will provide this on the spot, free of charge.
- In some cases, any piece of mail specifically addressed to your name rather than “occupant” or “resident” can be accepted as proof of residency.
- To prove residency at the DMV and some other government agencies, you can often ask your utility company or financial institution to fax a statement directly. Ask for a fax number where you can provide official proof of address.
- If you don’t own your residence, ask the owner of the place where you live (parents, landlord, etc.) for a letter stating that you live there and have the letter notarized. For help finding a notary, see our list of places that notorize.
See our related research to find out whether it’s illegal to use someone else’s address.
