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Proof of Residency Affidavit Template – Free Download 2026

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Electronic Signature with Notarization

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When Do You Need a Proof of Residency Affidavit?

You are applying for a driver's license or state ID and the DMV requires proof of residency but you do not have utility bills, a lease agreement, or other standard documents in your name. A sworn affidavit from someone who can verify your address satisfies the requirement in most states.

Your child is enrolling in a public school and the school district requires proof that the family resides within the district boundaries. If you do not have traditional proof of address documents, a proof of residency affidavit from a homeowner, landlord, or family member you live with can establish the child's address for school enrollment purposes.

You are applying for a REAL ID compliant driver's license or identification card under the REAL ID Act of 2005 and need two documents proving your state of residency. A notarized proof of residency affidavit may be accepted as one of the two required documents depending on your state's DMV policies.

You are living with a family member or friend and do not have bills, a lease, or a mortgage in your name at that address. The person you live with can sign a proof of residency affidavit confirming that you reside at their address. In Texas, Texas DPS Form DL-5 is specifically designed for this situation.

A court, government agency, or financial institution needs verification of your current address as part of a legal proceeding, benefits application, or account opening process, and you do not have traditional documentation in your name at that address. A affidavit of domicile serves a similar purpose for estate and tax matters.

You are a homeless individual or family enrolling children in school and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act allows enrollment without traditional proof of residency. However, a residency affidavit from a shelter, social worker, or other authorized person can help streamline the enrollment process.

What Should a Proof of Residency Affidavit Include?

Affiant Information

Identify the person making the affidavit by full legal name, date of birth, driver's license number, and current address. The affiant is the person swearing that the resident lives at the stated address. In most cases, the affiant is the homeowner, leaseholder, or head of household at the address.

Resident Information

Identify the person whose residency is being verified by full legal name, date of birth, and relationship to the affiant. If the resident is a minor child, include the child's name, date of birth, and the name of the parent or guardian requesting the affidavit.

Address and Duration of Residency

State the complete street address, city, state, and zip code where the resident lives. Include the date the resident began living at the address and confirm they currently reside there. Some agencies require a minimum residency duration, so stating the move-in date is important.

Relationship Between Affiant and Resident

Describe the relationship between the affiant and the person whose residency is being verified: parent, grandparent, sibling, landlord, roommate, or other relationship. The nature of the relationship helps the receiving agency assess the credibility of the affidavit.

Purpose of the Affidavit

State the specific purpose for which the affidavit is being submitted: DMV driver's license application, school enrollment, voter registration, in-state tuition application, court proceeding, or other purpose. Some agencies have specific requirements about what the affidavit must contain, so identifying the purpose helps ensure compliance.

Perjury Acknowledgment and Notarization

Include a statement that the affiant understands making false statements constitutes perjury under 18 USC Section 1621 and applicable state law. The affidavit must be signed before a notary public who verifies the affiant's identity, administers the oath, and applies the notary seal. Some DMV offices accept the affidavit without notarization if signed in person at the DMV.

Signature Requirements

Electronic Signature with Notarization

The affiant must sign this proof of residency affidavit under oath before a notary public. Notarization is mandatory because DMVs, schools, courts, and financial institutions require notarized affidavits to verify residency claims. An unnotarized affidavit will typically be rejected by the requesting institution.

Notarization Required

How to Fill Out a Proof of Residency Affidavit

1

Identify the Affiant

The person who owns or leases the home enters their full legal name, date of birth, driver's license number, and the address. This is the person swearing under oath that the resident lives at the stated address.

2

Identify the Resident

Enter the full legal name, date of birth, and relationship to the affiant of the person whose residency is being verified. If the resident is a minor, include the parent or guardian's name as well.

3

Enter the Address and Move-In Date

Write the complete residential address including street number, apartment or unit number, city, state, and zip code. Enter the date the resident began living at this address. Confirm that the person currently resides at this address as of the date of the affidavit.

4

State the Purpose

Select or write the reason the affidavit is being submitted: DMV application, school enrollment, REAL ID application, voter registration, in-state tuition verification, or other purpose. If the receiving agency provided a specific form (such as Texas DPS Form DL-5), use that form instead of a general affidavit.

5

Review the Perjury Statement

Read the perjury acknowledgment carefully. The affiant is swearing under oath that the information is true and correct. Making false statements in a proof of residency affidavit constitutes perjury under 18 USC Section 1621 and can result in criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment.

6

Notarize and Submit

The affiant signs the affidavit before a notary public who administers the oath and applies the seal. If the DMV or agency accepts in-person signatures without notarization, the affiant may sign at the agency office instead. Submit the notarized affidavit to the requesting agency along with any additional required documentation.

Proof of Residency Affidavit Requirements by State

Proof of Residency Affidavit laws and requirements differ across states. Key variations include specific language requirements, notarization mandates, witness requirements, filing deadlines, and enforceability standards. Our templates incorporate state-specific provisions when you select your jurisdiction.

For the most comprehensive state-specific version, use our AI generator which automatically applies your state's legal requirements.

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Free Template vs Custom Proof of Residency Affidavit

FeatureFree TemplateCustom (AI or Attorney)
Basic residency verification format
Perjury acknowledgment section
State-specific DMV complianceTX DPS DL-5, etc.-
School enrollment and REAL ID language-
Attorney review and customization-
Digital download (PDF/Word)

Proof of Residency Affidavit Template FAQ

What is a proof of residency affidavit?
A proof of residency affidavit is a sworn legal document in which one person (the affiant) confirms under oath that another person lives at a specific address. It is used when the resident cannot provide traditional proof of address such as utility bills, a lease agreement, or a mortgage statement in their name. The DMV, schools, courts, and other agencies accept proof of residency affidavits as an alternative form of address verification.
Who can write a proof of residency letter?
Any person who has direct knowledge that the resident lives at the stated address can write a proof of residency letter or affidavit. Common affiants include parents, grandparents, adult siblings, landlords, property managers, roommates, and other household members. The affiant should be the person whose name appears on the lease, mortgage, or utility bills at the address. The affiant must be willing to sign under oath and potentially have the document notarized.
Does a proof of residency letter need to be notarized?
Most agencies that accept proof of residency affidavits require notarization. The DMV in most states requires the affidavit to be notarized before submission, though some DMV offices allow the affiant to sign in person at the office. Schools may or may not require notarization depending on district policy. Courts and financial institutions almost always require notarization. When in doubt, have the affidavit notarized, as it is always accepted and adds credibility to the document.
What documents count as proof of residency?
Common documents accepted as proof of residency include utility bills (electric, gas, water, internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, bank or credit card statements showing your address, a W-2 or 1099 form, a property tax bill, vehicle registration, and voter registration confirmation. Under the REAL ID Act of 2005, applicants must present two documents proving state residency. When these documents are not available, a sworn proof of residency affidavit serves as an acceptable alternative.
Can a family member write a proof of residency letter?
Yes, a family member is one of the most common authors of a proof of residency affidavit. Parents, grandparents, adult children, spouses, and siblings who live at the same address or own the property can write the affidavit. The family member must state their relationship to the resident, confirm the resident lives at the address, and sign the document under oath. Some agencies may require the family member to provide their own proof of address (such as a utility bill) alongside the affidavit.
What is an affidavit of residence used for?
An affidavit of residence is used for DMV driver's license and state ID applications, school enrollment to prove the student lives within the school district, voter registration to establish eligibility in a jurisdiction, in-state tuition applications at colleges and universities, REAL ID applications under the REAL ID Act, court proceedings requiring address verification, and benefits applications where proof of address is a requirement.
How do I prove residency for DMV?
To prove residency for the DMV, you typically need to provide two documents showing your name and current address. Accepted documents vary by state but commonly include utility bills, bank statements, lease agreements, mortgage documents, insurance policies, and government correspondence. If you do not have documents in your name, most states accept a proof of residency affidavit signed by someone you live with. In Texas, Texas DPS Form DL-5 is the specific form used for this purpose.
Can a landlord write a proof of residency letter?
Yes, a landlord is one of the most credible authors of a proof of residency affidavit because they have direct knowledge of who occupies their property. The landlord should include their full name, the property address, the tenant's name, the date the tenancy began, and a statement confirming the tenant currently resides at the address. The landlord should sign the affidavit before a notary public and may also attach a copy of the lease agreement as supporting documentation.

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Reviewed by licensed attorneys · Editorial policy · Last updated March 2026

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