We often receive requests from patients asking for proof of address letters to support applications for Universal Credit, bank accounts, and other services.  We understand that providing proof of address can be challenging for some individuals, particularly those in vulnerable situations.  However, GP practices are not required or obligated to provide these letters, and here’s why:

Why We Cannot Provide Proof of Address Letters

1. Not a Core NHS Service
   GP surgeries are responsible for providing medical care, not administrative documentation for non-medical purposes.  Issuing proof of address letters falls outside of our NHS contract and takes valuable time away from essential patient care.
2. Alternative ways to verify your address exist
   There are already established processes in place for verifying your identity and address through government departments, banks, and support organisations.  These institutions have their own guidelines for proof of address that do not require GP involvement.
3. GP Practices do not verify addresses
   Patients are not required to provide proof of address when registering with a GP.  This means we do not formally verify or authenticate addresses, making any letter we provide less reliable for official purposes.

Alternative Solutions for Proof of Address

If you are struggling to provide proof of address, there are alternative options available depending on what you need it for, these are outlined below.

For Universal Credit Applications

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) accepts multiple forms of identification, including:

• Recent payslips
• P60 or P45 forms
• Bank statements
• Utility bills
• Letters from government agencies

If you do not have these, the Jobcentre can help verify your identity in other ways.  It is best to speak with your work coach for guidance.

For Opening a Bank Account

Many banks accept alternative proof of address, such as:

• Tenancy agreements
• Council tax bills
• Letters from a government agency

Some digital and high-street banks offer accounts for those without a fixed address:

• HSBC’s No Fixed Address Service (available through partner charities)
• Monese and Revolut (online banks that allow registration with alternative ID)
• Lloyds Bank and Barclays (may accept other documents upon request)

Charities & Support Services

• Citizens Advice can assist in gathering appropriate documentation
• Shelter provides housing and legal advice for those struggling with proof of address
• Local councils may issue letters confirming residence for individuals in need

What You Can Do Next

If you need proof of address for a specific purpose, we recommend contacting the relevant organisation directly to ask what alternative documents they accept. Many services now have flexible verification methods, especially for those in vulnerable situations.

We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to seek support from the appropriate agencies to ensure your needs are met efficiently.

Useful information for Asylum seekers

If you are a refugee seeking asylum in the UK and are new to Leeds you can find lots of useful information on the website https://newtoleeds.org in particular the section relating to Official documents https://newtoleeds.org/my-official-documents/.

The refugee council also have some useful guides that explain how bank accounts work in the UK. For more information, click this link https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/?s=Banking+guide#content-resource This guide contains information about how to open an account, the documents you need to do this and how to avoid scams.