Proof of address for a business bank account: what is accepted and why it gets rejected

Proof of address is the document most often sent back during business verification. Here is what providers accept, for the company and for each owner.

William Sunjo M.Operations and compliance editor

Published: 17 September 2026
Reading time: 2 min read

"Proof of address for business bank account" is searched by founders whose application came back with one line: please upload a valid proof of address. It is the document providers reject most, usually for reasons that are easy to fix.

Two addresses, two proofs

Whose address	Why it is asked	Typical documents
Each owner of 25% or more, and the controlling person	To verify each person's identity	Utility bill, bank statement, tax letter, tenancy agreement
The business's operating address	To confirm where the business actually works	Business utility bill, lease, business bank statement, tax letter

The registered address on the company's formation documents is a third address, and it is often different. That is fine.

What is usually accepted

Utility bill: electricity, water, gas, internet, landline
Bank or credit card statement
Tax authority letter
Lease or tenancy agreement
Government letter, such as a council tax bill in the UK

Most providers want it dated within the last three months, showing the full name and full address, with every page or the whole first page visible.

Why proofs get rejected

Too old. Dated more than three months ago.
Cropped. The name, date or address is cut off.
Name mismatch. The document is in a spouse's or landlord's name.
Wrong document type. Some providers do not accept mobile phone bills or screenshots.
Registered agent as operating address. Accepted as the legal address, not as where you work.
Language. Some providers need a translation for documents not in English.

If you work from home

Many small companies run from the founder's home. Say so, and use the same document for your personal address and the business's operating address. Inventing an office, or using a virtual office as your operating address, creates a mismatch that the review will catch. The KYB vs KYC guide explains why consistency matters more than looking big.

For US LLCs owned from abroad

The LLC's registered address is its registered agent's. The operating address is wherever the owner works, often abroad. Providers that serve non-resident owners expect this. The US LLC guide covers the rest of the file.

On Rivet

Rivet asks for proof of address for each owner of 25% or more and for where the business operates, uploaded online. The KYB documents guide lists the full set, and Services explains the process.

Questions people ask

What documents count as proof of address for a business?

A utility bill, business bank statement, lease or tax authority letter in the company's name at its operating address, usually dated in the last three months. Providers publish their own list, so check it before you upload.

Can I use my registered agent's address as proof of business address?

As the registered address, yes. As proof of where the business actually operates, usually not, because a registered agent serves many companies at one address. Providers want to know where you work, even if that is your home.

How recent must proof of address be?

Most providers require documents dated within the last three months. Some accept up to six months, and some accept annual documents like a tax letter for the current year. Check the provider's rules.

What if my utility bills are not in my name?

Use another accepted document in your name, such as a bank statement, a tax letter or a tenancy agreement. A bill in a family member's name usually fails unless the provider accepts a supporting letter.

Sources

Written by

William Sunjo M.

Operations and compliance editor

William covers what happens once a company starts moving money: getting the business verified, paying contractors and suppliers abroad, and keeping card spend under control. William writes for the founder or finance lead who has to make it work this week, and links every rule cited to the text it comes from.