How to get valid proof of address for your business (banking, registrations, and compliance)

Proof of address is a verifiable document showing where your business is physically located. Most banks, payment processors, government registries, and marketplaces require proof of address to confirm your business’s legitimacy and comply with regulatory checks like Know Your Customer (KYC).

This guide breaks down what qualifies as valid proof of address, what doesn’t, and how to obtain the documents you need even if you don’t yet have traditional mail or utility bills. It also explains how to assess each option based on your use case.

What is proof of address

Proof of address is a document issued by a reliable third party that shows your business name and street address. It confirms that the business actually occupies the location it claims a requirement for banking, merchant accounts, tax filings, and many legal processes.

Common valid documents include:

• Utility bills (water, gas, electricity, internet)
• Lease agreements
• Mortgage statements
• Insurance statements
• Government-issued documents showing address
• Bank statements listing the address

The address on the document must match the exact business address you’re trying to verify.

While your name does not necessarily have to be on your proof of address (for example: A utility bill can be in the lessor’s name as long as your physical addresses match up), you will need to have the same physical address listed on all documents.

What documents normally work for proof of address

Below is the most commonly accepted list used by banks and legal authorities:

• Utility bills — utility services tied to the physical address
• Lease or rental agreements — legal document tying business to space
• Mortgage statements — evidence of ownership or long-term occupancy
• Government notices or registrations with your address
• Bank or financial statements showing your address

The document must include your business name and physical street address exactly as registered.

What documents or addresses do not work

Certain documents and address types often fail verification checks. PO Boxes, mailbox stores, virtual mailboxes, or generic office suites usually do not satisfy the requirement of proof of address.

• PO Boxes — not a physical street address. Banks and many regulators reject them.
• Mailbox rental store addresses (e.g., UPS Store, Postal Annex) — tied to third-party addresses, not your own space.
• Registered agent addresses — for legal service of process only and not accepted for banking.
• Virtual mailboxes or mail forwarding services that are classified as a CMRA — many institutions reject these unless additional proof is provided.

Checklist: documents to bring for business banking or address verification

Before submitting proof of address, make sure you have:

• Valid document (utility bill, lease, etc.)
• Exact business name matching your registration
• Exact address matching the document
• Recent issue date (usually within 3 months)

Skipping any of these can delay approval.

Step-by-step: how to get proof of address

1. Determine what your bank or agency requires: Call or check requirements — different organizations sometimes request specific types of address proof.
2. Use a physical commercial address if possible. Many institutions require a real commercial address (not a PO Box or mailbox).
3. Ask for or generate a document tied to that physical address
4. Lease agreement, must be a legal contract showing your business at a physical space.
5. Utility bill, often the strongest form of proof if the provider will bill you at that location and highly recommended with your lease agreement.
6. Check name and address consistency.
7. Any mismatch can lead to rejection.
8. Store and present the documents clearly.
9. Submit the document in a standard format that’s accepted for verification.

Ready to get your address option?

1. VirtualPostMail

VPM’s TruLease package offers a comprehensive proof of address solution for business owners looking to open a business bank account or Amazon store. All plans, regardless of location, include a U.S. based physical address, access to virtual mailbox services, a 1-year lease agreement, and the option to include a utility bill.

The best part? Your VPM Trulease address is not attached to a mailbox address, virtual office, coworking center, or registered agent office. It is a true physical business address located within a commercial office building. If you’re looking to open a business bank account, a physical business address is the type of address you should strive to get (more on that later).

How it works

VPM is able to provide you with this type of address through partnerships with building owners who have office space available to rent. This eases the process of leasing an office by removing some of the traditional leasing requirements.

Once you have fully executed the lease agreement and secured your TruLease address, you can request to have a utility bill added, if needed. In most cases, you’ll receive the utility bill on the same day or the following business day. Your utility bill is guaranteed to be effective for 3 months from the date you are billed.

Here's the cherry on top: In the event that your lease agreement is not accepted as a valid proof of address within the initial 30-day period of creating your account, you will receive a full refund and your lease agreement will be canceled without penalty.

Cost: See pricing

2. Starthub Centers

Starthub Centers offers two different options for proof of address. To get started, you’ll choose from one of the available address plans: either a coworking space or a virtual office. Each plan comes bundled with a business address, a lease agreement, and the option to include a utility bill. If you decide to take the virtual office route, you’ll also get a U.S. based phone number and live answering services for your business, which can be useful if you need those.

Both packages include access to virtual mailbox services, as well as the ability to manage your mail and packages through their user-friendly online portal.

Though it’s not quite as flexible as VPM’s, Starthub Centers offers a 14-day money-back guarantee in the event that your proof of address is declined.

Not a great long-term solution with coworking and virtual offices

If you don't anticipate needing all the bells and whistles of a virtual office, you might want to skip on those extras to save costs. In addition, some banks will not accept virtual office or coworking addresses for proof of address purposes. For these reasons, this may not be a great long-term address solution for your business.

Cost: $389/month for a coworking desk + one-time $100 utility bill fee or $1100/month for a virtual office + one-time $100 utility bill fee

3. DBI Global Filings

DBI Global Filings is another company that offers proof of address services. With their virtual office package, you’ll get a business address, a 1-year lease agreement, a U.S. based phone number, and the option to include a utility bill. Those who desire a little extra convenience can sign up for weekly mail forwarding services for an additional fee.

While DBI offers a decent selection of states to choose from, it's worth noting that their plans do lean towards the higher end of the price spectrum. You'll be looking at a semi-annual (twice a year) service fee ranging from $650 to $1500. Each state’s service fee differs, so you’ll need to check their website for full pricing transparency.

One more thing to consider: All sales with DBI Global Filings are final. This means that if your virtual office address doesn't gain approval from your bank, unfortunately, there won't be an option for a refund.

Virtual office addresses are not ideal

It’s important to keep in mind that virtual office addresses are not always accepted as physical addresses for banking purposes. They are occasionally flagged as being CMRA, or commercial mail receiving addresses. It’s really up to the individual financial institution as to whether it will work or not. It’s best to call your bank and check before signing up for these services.

Cost: One-time fee of $199 plus a semi-annual (every 6 months) fee ranging from $650 to $1500, depending on your location + $247/year for a utility bill plus $69/month for utility services

Choosing the right proof of address

Now that you’ve learned more about what proof of address is and how to obtain it, it’s time to make a decision.

Starthub Centers provides proof of address in the form of a virtual office or coworking space. However, not every bank accepts these types of addresses, and you may not need all the amenities offered with these packages. Plus, their money-back guarantee only lasts for 14 days, which doesn’t leave you with much time to get your ducks in a row.

DBI Global Filings offers virtual offices as well. The major downside to this option is that they do not provide customers with a money-back guarantee; all sales are final. Coupled with the fact that some states can be pricey (depending on the service fee), this may not be an ideal option.

Boasting a 30-day money-back guarantee, VPM offers the most flexible option, by far. You’ll also get a true physical business address, eliminating much of the stress involved with opening business bank accounts or Amazon stores.

Get started on your address verification journey

VPM’s TruLease service provides you with a U.S. business address, a lease agreement, and a utility bill all remotely so you can continue growing your business and expanding to new customers.

If you’re ready for a long-term solution, get started with VPM today.