Proof of residence affidavit: when the bill is not in your name

A proof of residence affidavit is a sworn statement, signed by the person whose name is on a utility bill or lease, confirming that you also live at that address. It is notarized so the signature carries weight, and it exists specifically for cases where you cannot produce a bill in your own name.

When this comes up

This situation is common and rarely unusual: a college student living with their parents, a newly married spouse whose name has not been added to the household accounts yet, or someone staying with a relative while sorting out a visa, a lease, or a bank account application. In each case, every piece of mail at the address belongs to someone else, which makes a simple certified bill unavailable to you. An affidavit works around that by having the account holder vouch for you directly, and it tends to come up at the same time as other paperwork, such as a bank account opening or a mailbox application, rather than as a standalone request.

Who actually signs the affidavit

The person who signs is whoever the bill or lease is in the name of, not the person who needs the proof. That person states, under oath and in front of a notary, that you live at the address with them. Because they are the one taking responsibility for the statement, they need to bring their own valid photo ID to the session, and their name on that ID has to match the name on the bill or lease being referenced.

If you are the one who needs the proof, you typically attend the same session so the notary can confirm your identity too, even though you are not the one signing the sworn statement.

What to attach to the affidavit

The affidavit on its own is rarely enough. Most organizations expect it paired with supporting paper:

• A copy of the account holder's utility bill or lease, showing their name and the shared address
• A copy of the account holder's photo ID
• A copy of your own photo ID, to tie the affidavit to the right person

Some providers specify exactly what they want attached, so read any instructions they sent before the session and bring everything in one set rather than piecing it together afterward. If nothing was specified, bringing more supporting paper rather than less tends to avoid a second round of questions later.

Notarizing it, in person or remotely

The notary's role here is to confirm the identity of the person signing and to watch the signature happen, then complete the certificate. That can be done:

1. In person, with the account holder and the ID being used both present.
2. Through a remote online session, if the account holder is willing to appear on video with their ID.

If the account holder lives somewhere else entirely, for example a parent in another state or country, the remote route is usually the only practical option, since both people do not need to be in the same room for an affidavit the way a joint signature sometimes requires. The affidavit text itself is usually short, a few sentences stating the relationship and the shared address, which keeps the session brief once both identities are confirmed.

What this affidavit does and does not prove

A notarized affidavit confirms that a specific person swore, under oath, to a specific statement. It does not independently confirm that the statement is true, and it does not promise that a bank, a school or a government office will accept it. Acceptance depends entirely on the receiving institution's own rules, so if you have a choice of document, ask what they expect before the session rather than after. Some institutions treat an affidavit as a last resort and would rather see a bill in your own name if one becomes available, so it is worth asking whether that changes anything on their end. Our guide on a notarized proof of address covers the more common route, a certified bill in your own name, in case that becomes available to you later.

How TR Signing Group handles it

TR Signing Group notarizes residence affidavits for families and individuals around Bayonne and Hudson County, and through remote online sessions for account holders or signers who live elsewhere. Before the appointment, Tanim Raquib or a member of the team can check that the affidavit wording and the supporting documents match what was requested, so the session itself moves quickly. See the proof of address notarization service, the broader general notary work page for other sworn statements, or request a quote and tell us who needs to sign.