31

https://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/address.html

I need to provide proof of address for the DMV, but the process can be difficult because:

I live with someone else; I do not pay rent/utilities; and they will not assist in the process.

The Florida DMV asks that you need two of these for proof of address, which can be tough:

1.Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet or residential rental/lease agreement

Can't -- don't have any of the above because I'm not paying rent nor am I a homeowner.

Florida Voter Registration Card

Cannot be obtained until after proof of address was obtained initially for the relevant application I'm trying to go for now.

Florida Vehicle Registration or Title

Don't own a car/vehicle.

Florida Boat Registration or Title

Don't own a boat.

Statements (Certification of Address Form) Customers with one proof of residential address may self-certify using the Certification of Address form as the second proof of residential address document

A caveat also states that this must be accompanied by the person you live with's signature and/or their actual presence, which I explained that they refuse to do so.

A utility hook up or work order

Don't pay bills.

Automobile Payment Booklet

Don't own a car.

Selective Service Card

This is only for males.

Medical or health card

I have one, but it doesn't have my address on it so it's not proof, according to the DMV.

Medical bill

Never had one.

Homeowner's insurance policy or bill

Not a homeowner.

Automobile insurance policy or bill

Don't own a car.

Educational institution transcript forms

Have no such things and cannot obtain any since I am not in the public school system as of now.

Professional license issued by a government agency in the U.S.

Caveat -- must be currently valid and up-to-date and it isn't, and this is what I am initially trying to get renewed in the first place.

W-2 form or 1099 form

I am self-employed, so neither of those can work for me.

Form DS2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) status

This is only for Visa/resident/non-citizen card holders.

A letter from a homeless shelter, transitional service provider, or a half-way house verifying that the customer resides at the shelter address

I'm not homeless and none else applies.

Utility bills

Don't pay utilities.

Mail from financial institutions; including checking, savings, credit card statements or investment account statements

I haven't been issued paper mail by a bank since years -- everything digital. I also don't have credit card debt because I've never had a credit card and have no other "investment statements."

Mail from Federal, State, County or City government agencies (including city and county agencies)

If I was getting federal mail I'd be worried -- it's never happened.

Personal mail that does not list the recipient as “occupant”. Example: Magazines, journals, etc.

I throw all that junk out, or hardly get it in the first place.

Transients - Sexual Offender/Predator/Career Offender: �����- FDLE Registration form completed by local sheriff's department

Doesn't apply -- I get plenty of sex without offending anyone.

What can I do? I was thinking of writing a certificate or affidavit stating that I admit under some penalty of perjury that I live in the address -- however, I can almost bet they'll still want the person who pays rent to sign, so I'm out of options.

I suppose I could get a credit card and rack up a bill and get statements, but that would probably take at least a month and I need this certificate very soon.

Improve this question
12
  • 6
    FL doesn't let you use a IRS 1040 or a state tax return with your SSN and mailing address as proof? I know several other states do -- it may work there as well. You're self employed, but you should still be paying income tax on the self-employment earnings/losses. It might be worth asking if federal and/or state returns will work. Commented Jan 26, 2016 at 12:05
  • 11
    I've never seen a bank issue a statement without having some address on it, even if they email your statement. What address is on your bank account? My bank lets me download PDF statements that look just like a paper statement. Commented Jan 26, 2016 at 22:22
  • 1
    Is your name on the mailbox? Do you receive mail addressed to you? Commented Jan 27, 2016 at 8:32
  • 2
    It may seem bizarre but perhaps you could talk to the local police and ask them to help verify your address somehow. Seems to me (IANAL) that if there is an official police report of some kind showing you as a resident at that address that should be sufficient proof. Of course what you do not want to do is offend your "landlord" in the process. Commented Jan 27, 2016 at 9:48
  • 2
    What about the person who DOES do those things? Can the person who pays the bills say "I own this home, and EyeSi definitely resides at 123 State St. Without paying bills. Ever. The jerk. With all that money he's saving, why doesn't he buy us a boat?" Commented Jan 27, 2016 at 15:47

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
50

Mail from financial institutions; including checking, savings, credit card statements or investment account statements

Pay a bank or credit card company $2 or some other nominal fee to have them send you a physical copy of a statement.

Improve this answer
4
  • 4
    This looks like the best option. Even if you opt for paperless statements you can request the bank to send you a paper one, exactly because one may need a proof of funds or address. In some cases, the institution or person requesting the proof of address will accept a PDF statement, which you can download from your online banking. Commented Jan 26, 2016 at 9:49
  • 1
    Yep, why not just print an online copy. I assume you have access to the internet and a printer. Commented Jan 26, 2016 at 23:05
  • 5
    The requirement is literally "Mail" from them. They may accept a printed online copy with your address in practice, but it does not technically meet the requirement, does not have a postmark, etc... Commented Jan 27, 2016 at 1:54
  • Printed copy of your online bill are not generally accepted as you can easily forge or manipulate it. However in some cases I've been able to provide the original PDF generated by the bank sending it via email. Commented Jan 27, 2016 at 15:18
32

Request a Social Security statement. Get a library card. Write a letter to your senator or representative or a local government office that requires a response. Order something online. Register to vote (you can do this with the last 4 digits of your social security number and without having to prove your address).

Improve this answer
5
  • 70
    Write a letter to the DMV asking them how to prove your address. They will reply, and you have your proof - I wonder whether they still need a second proof. Commented Jan 26, 2016 at 10:47
  • 9
    @Alexander trolling level 10 Commented Jan 27, 2016 at 6:49
  • 13
    order stamps. It will be mail from a government agency. Had a co-worker do this after moving. Commented Jan 27, 2016 at 18:53
  • The first one, for sure. Social security statement should be coming anyway - that's federal mail. Commented Jan 27, 2016 at 23:06
  • @Joe but the SS statement only comes automatically once every five years. Commented Jan 27, 2016 at 23:18
25

Personal mail that does not list the recipient as “occupant”. Example: Magazines, journals, etc.

Get some friends to write to you.

Improve this answer
1
  • 11
    Or better yet, write a letter to yourself. Commented Jan 26, 2016 at 3:34
5

write a letter to yourself and receive it.

Improve this answer
1

Federal Law #7155/1983 grants people (citizens, visitors, residents, or those with adequate power of attorney) the ability to issue such declarations for and by themselves.

art. 1 - A declaration intended to prove life (that they are alive), residence, poverty, economic dependence, identity (homonym), or good antecedents, when signed by the interested party or by a legal representative, and under penalty of law, is presumed to be true.

The declaration must also include that the issuer is aware that any falsehood in said declarations is subject to criminal sanctions, especially "ideological falsehood", article 299 of the Federal Penal Code:

Art. 299 - Omitting, in a public or private document, a statement that should be included therein, or inserting or causing to be inserted a false statement or one different from what should have been written, with the aim of harming a right, creating an obligation or altering the truth about a legally relevant fact.

Penalty - imprisonment of one to five years and a fine, if the document is public, and imprisonment of one to three years and a fine [...], if the document is private.

Here's one official model of said declarations. Note that, so long the requirements in the law are met, the model doesn't need to be followed by the letter but it is good practice to follow it as a standard. Also, the whole declaration may be handwritten; printing the form and then filling the blanks is not a necessity.

Notes:

  • The fine value was replaced by ellipsis on purpose. The penal code is from 1940 and the currency has changed names a few times. Fines are often discretionary and set by the presiding magistrate depending on the economic ability of the defendant. The law often only determines a maximum.

  • All links were visited on October 10th, 2025. The links to the laws do not substitute the text published in the Diario Oficial da União.

  • All translations are computer-made and do not replace the original text of the law.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.