Acceptable document types for the exceptions process

In all cases the documents required to successfully establish an applicant’s identity should refer to the applicant by name. The types and quantities of documents required to successfully establish an applicant’s identity are as follows:

  • any one document from table 1 
  • one document from table 2 and two additional documents from either table 2 or table 3
  • four documents from table 3
Table 1: Primary identification documents
DocumentNotes
PassportAny current passport
Biometric residence document1  UK issued only
EEA Identity CardMust still be valid
Photo card part of a current driving licenceUK/Isle of Man/Channel Islands (full or provisional)
Northern Ireland Electoral ID card 

    

Table 2: Trusted Government Documents
DocumentNotes
Old style paper version of a current driving licenceUK only
Current photo driving licenceAny other than UK and Crown Dependencies
Birth certificateUK and Crown Dependencies only
Marriage/Civil Partnership certificateUK and Crown Dependencies only
Adoption CertificateUK and Crown Dependencies only
Firearms LicenceUK and Crown Dependencies only
Police Bail SheetUK and Crown Dependencies only

   

Table 3: Financial and Social History Documents
DocumentNotesIssue Date and Validity
Mortgage StatementUK, Crown Dependencies or EEAIssued in the last 12 months
Bank or Building Society Statement UK, Crown Dependencies or EEAIssued in the last 3 months
Bank or Building Society account opening confirmation letterUK and Crown DependenciesIssued in the last 3 months
Credit card statement UK, Crown Dependencies or EEAIssued in the last 3 months
Financial statement, e.g. pension or endowment UK, Crown Dependencies or EEAIssued in the last 12 months
Council Tax statementUK and Crown DependenciesIssued in the last 12 months
Utility Bill – not mobile phone billUK and Crown DependenciesIssued in the last 3 months
P45 or P60 statement UK and Crown Dependencies Issued in the last 12 months
Benefit statement e.g. Child Benefit, PensionUK and Crown DependenciesIssued in the last 3 months
Central or local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement, e.g. from DWP, Job Centre Plus, HMRCUK and Crown DependenciesIssued in the last 3 months

For information on the document retention period for documents received as part of an application, including under the exceptions process and for what should be reflected in your document retention policy see our guidance on document retention.
 
We have produced template notices and letters which you may use when undertaking the exceptions process.
 

Diweddarwyd ddiwethaf: 23 Ionawr 2025