Identity Document Checklist

When you send your licence application you will need to provide supporting identity documents. The SIA will return these documents to you by courier or post after they have been checked and scanned onto their system.

All documents must be originals, not photocopies. All combinations must confirm your correct name, current address and date of birth. If any of your documents are not in English you must provide us with both the original and an English translation from an approved translator.

Please remove all documents from holders, wallets, etc before sending them to us. Please do not send documents that you will need in the immediate future.

Licence renewals: much of this page deals with document requirements for new applications. If you are renewing your licence please click here

If You Hold a UK Digital Passport

You must fill in your passport number at question D4 of the application form and enclose:

1. One further identity document from group A showing your current address. Or
2. Two documents from group B. At least one document must show your current address.

How to check for a digital passport: All UK passports issued since 2002 are digital and some digital passports were issued before then. If your photograph and personal details are on page 31 (or 47 in Jumbo passports) and your photograph has been digitally reproduced, the passport is a digital passport. If your photograph and personal details are on the inside of the back cover, then the passport is not a digital passport.

If You Don’t Hold a UK Digital Passport

The SIA will accept:

• Two identity documents from group A. At least one document must show your current address and at least one document must show your date of birth.
  Or
• One identity document from group A and two documents from group B. At least one document must show your current address and at least one document must show your date of birth.

Group A and Group B Documents

Group A documents:

• Signed valid passport of any nationality, or UK digital passport number entered on the application form – this is the preferred option as it will help speed up the processing of your application.
• Identity Card issued only by the UK Home Office*
• Signed UK photo driving licence (both parts of the full or provisional licence are required)
• UK original birth certificate issued within 12 months of birth
• UK adoption certificate

*The SIA will accept Identity Cards issued only by the UK Home Office as follows:

• Identity card for British citizens
• Identification card for EU or European Economic Area and certain British citizens living in the UK
• Identity card for Foreign Nationals

Group B documents:

• Valid EU photo ID card.
• Valid UK firearms licence with photo
• Signed UK paper driving licence.
• Marriage certificate or Civil Partnership certificate, with translation if not in English.
• UK birth certificate issued more than 12 months after date of birth, but not a photocopy.
• Non-UK birth certificate, with translation if not in English.
• P45 statement of income for tax purposes on leaving a job issued in the last 12 months.
• P60 annual statement of income for tax purposes issued in the last 12 months.
• Bank or building society statement issued to your current address, less than three months old. You can use more than one statement as long as each is issued by a different bank or building society.
• Mortgage statement issued in the last 12 months.
• Utility bill (gas, electric, telephone, water, satellite, cable, mobile phone contract) issued to your current address within the last three months. You can only send one utility bill in support of your application.
• TV licence in your name and current address issued in last 12 months.
• Pension, endowment or ISA statement issued in last 12 months.
• Certificate of British nationality.
• British work permit or visa issued in last 12 months.
• Letter from H.M. Revenue & Customs, Department of Work and Pensions, employment service, or local authority issued within the last three months. You can use more than one letter as long as each is issued by a different Government department or a different local authority.
• A credit card statement sent to your current address within the last three months. You can use more than one statement as long as each is issued by a different issuer.
• Council Tax statement issued in the last 12 months.
• Court summons issued in last 12 months.
• Child benefit book issued in last 12 months.
• A payslip, with your address and the employer’s name or logo, that is less than three months old.

Identification Documents for Renewals and Additional Licences

If you have previously submitted one of the photographic group A documents to us (i.e. not a birth certiticate or adoption certificate) in support of a licence application that was successful, you do not need to re-send any documents unless your name or address have changed.

If your name has changed since the last time you applied or you did not previously submit a photographic group A document you will need to submit a new, complete set of identity documents.

If your address has changed since your last application you will need to send one group B document showing your new address even if you have already informed the SIA of this change.

The SIA may alter these requirements in the future in order to maintain the integrity of identification checks.

If you are still not 100% sure call the SIA helpline on on 0844 892 1025.