SARS proof of address requirements
SARS asks for proof of address on many registrations and updates. This guide explains what SARS accepts, which applications need personal versus company proof, and how to make sure your document is not rejected.
The core requirements
Dated within the last three months
SARS normally requires proof of address to be dated no more than three months before you submit it.
Shows the physical address
The document must clearly display the physical (street) address — a postal box on its own is not accepted.
Personal proof shows the person's name
Where personal proof of address is required, the document must be in the individual's own name.
Company proof shows the registered name
Where company proof of address is required, the document must reflect the registered company name.
Which application needs what
Registered Representative applications
Personal proof of address is required.
VAT and PAYE registrations
Both personal proof and company proof are required.
Import / export applications
Company proof of address is required.
Commonly accepted documents
Any of the following can serve as proof of address, provided it meets the core requirements above:
Municipal or utility accounts (rates, water, electricity)
Telephone or cellphone accounts
A current lease agreement signed by both the lessor and the lessee
Mortgage or home-loan statements
Motor vehicle licence documents
Major retail store accounts
Short-term insurance documents
Life, health or funeral policy documents
Investment or medical-aid statements
eToll or TV-licence documents
Relevant court, UIF, pension or educational documents
Important: a bank letter or bank statement is not general company proof
A bank confirmation letter or a bank statement is not accepted as general company proof of address for PAYE, VAT, or import/export applications. It is ordinarily relevant only to a Registered Representative application. For company registrations, use one of the accepted company documents listed above instead.
Before you submit — checklist
The correct name appears on the document
The correct physical address is shown
The document is dated within the last three months
The full document is visible (no missing pages or edges)
It is a clear scan or an original PDF
Any required lease signatures are present
No cropped screenshots have been used
What if the proof isn't in the correct name?
If you can't provide proof of address in your name or the company's name, SARS allows a signed third-party confirmation route. Here's how it works.
Requirements can differ by application type and are set by SARS. When in doubt, prepare a document that satisfies the core requirements above, and Didiserv will confirm it before anything is submitted to SARS on your behalf.