Utility Bills in the UK: What They Are, What They Prove, and How to Use Them for Notarisation
Utility Bills in the UK: What Counts and Why They Matter for Notarisation
A utility bill is one of the most commonly accepted documents in the UK for proving your residential address.
For legal, financial, and notarial purposes, utility bills are essential evidence of where you live. But not all bills qualify, and not every version of a bill is accepted — especially when your documents are being used abroad.
In this guide, Wharf Notaries explains everything you need to know about UK utility bills, including:
– What counts as a utility bill;
– How to use them as proof of address;
– What notaries look for when certifying them;
– What counts as an original or valid digital copy;
– How recent they must be; and
– How to prepare them for notarisation or legalisation.
“Utility bills are trusted as proof of address because they link a real residential address to an official service provider.”
What Is a Utility Bill?
In the UK, a utility bill is an official document issued by a service provider confirming the supply of a household utility, such as:
– Gas supply
– Electricity supply
– Water or sewerage
– Landline telephone or broadband service
– Council-issued energy or metered services
These are issued monthly, quarterly, or annually and show your name, address, account number, and billing date.
Utility bills are recognised by the UK government and regulated firms (including notaries, banks, and solicitors) as acceptable proof of address documents.
See GOV.UK – Accepted proof of address documents.
Types of Utility Bills Commonly Accepted
1. Electricity Bill
Issued by your energy supplier (e.g. EDF, British Gas, Octopus Energy). Shows meter number, usage, and your full address.
2. Gas Bill
Accepted on the same basis as electricity bills, provided it shows your name and address clearly.
3. Water Bill
Issued by your regional water company. Often accepted for proof of address if issued within the last three months.
4. Landline or Broadband Bill
Fixed-line phone or internet provider bills (BT, Virgin Media, Sky, etc.) are generally accepted.
However, mobile phone bills are not considered utilities for verification purposes.
5. Combined Utilities Bill
If you receive a joint bill (e.g. gas + electricity), that is also acceptable if it meets the usual requirements.
“Mobile phone bills are normally excluded — only fixed line, energy, and water bills count as utility bills.”
What a Utility Bill Must Include
To be accepted as official proof of address, the document must contain:
– Your full legal name
– Your current residential address
– The date of issue
– The service provider’s name and logo
– A clear account or reference number
The bill should be either:
– An original paper bill, or
– A downloaded PDF from your official online account (not a screenshot).
Digital bills are accepted by most notaries as long as they are official statements that cannot be easily altered and include the necessary details.
How Recent Should a Utility Bill Be?
Most UK authorities and regulated firms — including notaries — require utility bills to be no more than three months old.
This recency rule ensures the address is current and valid for verification under anti-money-laundering (AML) regulations.
(See: Money Laundering Regulations 2017 – Your Responsibilities)
Summary of Recency Guidelines
|
Type of Document |
Maximum Age |
Accepted Format |
|
Gas / Electricity Bill |
3 months |
Original or PDF |
|
Water Bill |
3 months |
Original or PDF |
|
Landline / Broadband Bill |
3 months |
Original or PDF |
|
Combined Utilities Bill |
3 months |
Original or PDF |
|
Mobile Bill |
Not accepted |
— |
“Most notaries will only accept a utility bill dated within the last three months. Anything older will likely be rejected.”
Utility Bills and Notarisation
When you attend an appointment at Wharf Notaries, your notary will usually ask for:
1. One piece of photo identification (passport or UK driving licence), and
2. One proof of address, often a recent utility bill.
The utility bill confirms your residential address for regulatory and verification purposes.
Your notary may take a certified copy of your bill to attach to your file or to send abroad alongside other notarised documents.
You can find more about our process on our Notarial Services page.
When Utility Bills Are Not Enough
There are occasions where a utility bill alone is insufficient — for example:
– If your name does not appear on the bill (e.g. flat share or partner’s account).
– If your address is missing or formatted differently (e.g. PO Box).
– If you moved recently and the bill still shows your old address.
– If the bill is older than three months.
In these cases, your notary may request an additional document, such as a council tax bill or bank statement, or may ask for a statutory declaration confirming your address.
“A utility bill is strong proof of address, but only if it is current, accurate, and clearly shows your name and address.”
Foreign Utility Bills for Overseas Clients
For clients living abroad, a utility bill issued by your local energy, water, or telecom provider can still be accepted as proof of address, provided it:
– Shows your full name and address;
– Is recent (within 3 months);
– Is officially issued (paper or PDF); and
– If not in English, is accompanied by a certified translation.
Your notary will confirm whether the document also needs an apostille or legalisation depending on the country where it will be used.
See our page on Apostille and Legalisation for detailed guidance.
Electronic and Online Utility Bills
Most utility providers now issue digital bills instead of paper ones.
For notarial purposes, the following formats are generally acceptable:
✅ PDF bills downloaded directly from your official account
❌ Screenshots or cropped images of the bill
✅ Paper prints of the full PDF (with logo, name, and date visible)
❌ Edited or partial documents
If your digital bill doesn’t include all required details, download the full statement rather than the summary page.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Bringing a mobile bill — these are typically rejected.
2. Outdated bills — older than three months are not valid.
3. Screenshots instead of PDFs — not accepted by notaries.
4. Bills without your name — ensure the bill lists you personally.
5. Incorrect address format — the address must match your ID or official residence.
How Utility Bills Support Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance
Notaries are legally required to verify both identity and address under the UK’s Money Laundering Regulations 2017.
Utility bills serve as reliable documents for address verification because they demonstrate a direct connection between a client and a residential address.
Your notary keeps a confidential record of the verification, in compliance with the Faculty Office and Legal Sector AML Guidance.
For further reading, see:
Checklist: Preparing Your Utility Bill for Notarisation
Before your appointment at Wharf Notaries, ensure your bill meets the following:
– Dated within the last 3 months
– Displays your name and residential address
– Issued by an official utility provider
– Printed from an official PDF or original document
– Translation available (if in another language)
Bring this along with your passport or driving licence to complete the verification smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Utility Bills in the UK
1. What is considered a utility bill in the UK?
A utility bill in the UK is an official statement from a service provider confirming payment for essential household utilities such as electricity, gas, water, or landline/broadband services. These bills display the account holder’s name, address, billing date, and account details. They are commonly accepted as proof of address by banks, government bodies, and notaries.
2. Is a mobile phone bill classed as a utility bill?
No. Mobile phone bills are not considered utility bills for official purposes in the UK. Only fixed-line services such as broadband or landline telephone bills are accepted as utilities for address verification.
3. How recent does a utility bill need to be for notarisation?
For notarisation and most official verifications, your utility bill must be issued within the last three months. This ensures that your proof of address is up to date and compliant with UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations.
For more information, visit GOV.UK – Money Laundering Regulations 2017.
4. Can I use an online or electronic utility bill?
Yes, digital utility bills are acceptable if they are official PDFs downloaded directly from your provider’s account.
Screenshots or cropped images of bills are not accepted. Your notary will require the full document showing your name, address, provider name, and billing date.
5. What if the utility bill is not in my name?
If the utility bill is not in your name — for example, if your landlord or partner is the account holder — it cannot be used as proof of your address.
In such cases, your notary may request an alternative document, such as a council tax bill, tenancy agreement, or bank statement, or a statutory declaration confirming your residence. name, and billing date.
Ready to proceed?
If you’re unsure whether your utility bill is acceptable for notarisation, Wharf Notaries can review your documents and advise on any additional steps — including translations or legalisation for use abroad.
Visit our Services page for a full overview, check our Fees, or contact us directly to book an appointment.