The documents you should provide to support your settlement application

This page explains the documents you should provide to support your application for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) in the United Kingdom.

You should send the original document, not a copy. We will accept a certified photocopy if your original document is unavailable at the time you make the application. You will need to tell us when you will be able to provide the original document. It is unlikely your application will be approved until we have seen the original document. A certified photocopy is one that has been signed by either the issuing authority or by a notary as being an accurate copy of the original document.

If you do not provide us with all the documents we require when you make your application we will write to you requesting the additional documents. We will usually ask you to provide the documents by a certain date. If we do not receive the documents by the date we request your application will be rejected and will be returned to you along with your fee.

Your documents will be returned to you by post to the address you provide on your application. If a representative makes an application on your behalf your documents will be returned to them. Your documents will be returned using recorded delivery. If you want your documents to be returned by special delivery you should provide a prepaid special delivery envelope.

Photographs

You should provide two recent passport photographs of yourself and two of each dependant applying for indefinite leave to remain as part of your application. All the photographs should have the name of the person in the picture written on the back.

All the photographs should:

• measure 45mm x 35mm; and
• be in colour; and
• be taken against a white background; and
• clear and of good quality; and
• not framed or backed; and
• full face, without sunglasses, hat or head covering unless you wear this for religious reasons.

Passports

You should provide your passport or travel document and the passport or travel document of all dependants included as part of your application. If anyone included in the application last entered the United Kingdom with a different passport or travel document you should also send these documents if you have them.

Police registration certificates

You should provide your police registration certificate if were asked to register with the police when you came to the United Kingdom. If any of the dependants included as part of your application were asked to register with the police you should provide their police registration certificates.

Birth certificates for dependant children

You should provide birth certificates for all dependant children included as part of your application.

Marriage or civil partnership certificate

You should provide your marriage or civil partnership certificate if you have included your husband, wife or civil partner as a dependant on your application.

Unmarried partner

If you are not married to your partner but have included them as a dependant on your application you need to send evidence that you have been in a relationship for at least two years. This evidence could include:

• evidence that any previous marriage, civil partnership or similar relationship has permanently broken down; or
• evidence that you have been living together in a relationship similar to a marriage or civil partnership for two years or more; or
• documents showing joint commitments such as bank accounts, investments, rent agreements or mortgages; or
• letters linking you to the same address; or
• official records of your address such as your National Insurance card or health card.

Funds to maintain yourself

You should provide evidence that you have the funds to maintain and accommodate yourself and any dependants without the use of public funds. You should send formal documents such as:

• bank statements; or
• a building society passbook; or
• wage slips.

You should not send us cheques, traveller's cheques or credit cards.

If a relative or friend is supporting you, you should send a letter from them confirming this together with formal documents showing their financial situation.

The documents you provide in this section should cover at least the last three months.

Evidence of employment

You should provide recent documents from the employer named in your current work permit confirming that you are still needed and that your employment within them is continuing.