Guidance

List of acceptable proof of address documents for countersignatories

Published 28 April 2025

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/horizon-shortfall-scheme-appeals-proving-your-identity/list-of-acceptable-proof-of-address-documents-for-countersignatories

Acceptable proof of address documents

We require a 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)
  • a statement from central or local government showing you are entitled to benefits (UK and Channel Islands only, issued in last 3 months)
  • bank or building society account opening confirmation letter – this must be a paper copy
  • original utility bill – this must be a paper copy
  • benefit statement – UK only (issued in the last 3 months)
  • P45 or P60 statement
  • Council Tax bill from UK and Channel Islands only (issued in the last 3 months) – this must be a paper copy

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  • out-of-date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.

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