Valid ID Documents
ROUTE 1 – At registration you need to be able to show:
- 1 document from Group 1, below
- 2 further documents from either Group 1, or Group 2a or 2b, one of which must verify your current address.
ROUTE 2 – If you do not have any of the documents in Group 1, then you must show:
- 3 documents from Group 2 consisting of:
- 1 document from Group 2a; and
- 2 further documents from either Group 2a or 2b; one of which must verify your current address.
Group 1: Primary identity documents
| Document | Notes |
| Passport | Any current and valid passport |
| Biometric residence permit | UK |
| Current driving licence – photo card with counterpart where one is issued | UK/Isle of Man/Channel Islands and EU (full or provisional) (Please note some European countries do not issue counterparts)
All licences must be valid in line with current DVLA requirements |
| Birth certificate – issued at time of birth (long certificate) | UK and Channel Islands – including those issued by UK authorities overseas, eg embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces |
| Adoption certificate | UK and Channel Islands |
Group 2a: Trusted government documents
| Document | Notes |
| Current driving licence – photo card (where a counterpart has been issued but no counterpart is presented) | All countries (full or provisional)
All licences must be valid in line with current DVLA requirements |
| Current driving licence – paper version | UK/Isle of Man/Channel Islands and EU (full or provisional)
All licences must be valid in line with current DVLA requirements |
| Birth certificate – issued after time of birth (short certificate) | UK and Channel Islands |
| Marriage/civil partnership certificate | UK and Channel Islands |
| HM Forces ID card | UK |
| Firearms licence | UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man |
Group 2b: Financial and social history documents
| Document | Notes | Issue date and validity |
| Mortgage statement | UK or EEA | Issued in last 12 months |
| Bank or building society statement | UK and Channel Islands or EEA | Issued in last 3 months |
| Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter | UK | Issued in last 3 months |
| Credit card statement | UK or EEA | Issued in last 3 months |
| Financial statement, eg pension or endowment | UK | Issued in last 12 months |
| P45 or P60 statement | UK and Channel Islands | Issued in last 12 months |
| Council Tax statement | UK and Channel Islands | Issued in last 12 months |
| Work permit or visa | UK | Valid up to expiry date |
| Letter of sponsorship from future employment provider | Non-UK or non-EEA only – valid only for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of application | Must still be valid |
| Utility bill | UK – not mobile telephone bill | Issued in last 3 months |
| Benefit statement, eg Child Benefit, Pension | UK | Issued in last 3 months |
| Central or local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement, eg from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, HMRC | UK and Channel Islands | Issued in last 3 months |
| EU National ID card | Must still be valid | |
| Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo | UK and Channel Islands | Must still be valid |
| Letter from head teacher or college principal | UK – for 16 to 19 year olds in full time education – only used in exceptional circumstances if other documents cannot be provided |