What a certificate of accommodation is and when you need one
A certificate of accommodation — also called a host letter, letter of invitation, accommodation attestation, or proof-of-residence letter — is a signed declaration by a person confirming that another person is being hosted at the signatory's address. It is one of the most frequently requested supporting documents for visa applications, immigration files, address-proof requirements, and university enrolments. Embassies, banks, and government agencies use it as evidence that the named person genuinely has somewhere to live during the period in question.
Common situations where you need one
- Visa applications: US B-2 visitor visa, UK Standard Visitor visa, Schengen short-stay visa, Canadian TRV — all routinely accept or require a host letter when the applicant is staying with a family member or friend
- Address proof: opening a bank account, applying for a driver's licence, registering with HMRC or with a US state DMV, council registration in the UK, or obtaining a state ID when the person lives with someone else and has no utility bill in their name
- Immigration documents: supporting evidence in family-based green-card petitions (USCIS Form I-130 process), spouse and dependent visas under the UK Immigration Rules, partner visas in other jurisdictions
- University and student matters: proof of UK or US address for international student enrolment, registration with student services, or applying for a student bank account
- Tax matters: establishing residency or domicile in some HMRC and IRS contexts (residency is determined by statutory tests, but supporting documents help)
What every host letter must contain
- Full identification of the host: legal name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, full residential address, and contact details
- Confirmation of the host's status at the address: owner, tenant or sub-letter, with the agreement of any landlord if required
- Full identification of the guest: legal name, date of birth, nationality, passport number where relevant
- The start date of accommodation and, where relevant, an end date or duration
- A clear declaration that the host is providing accommodation free of charge (or otherwise — be specific)
- A statement of truth with appropriate wording for the jurisdiction
- Date, place of signature, and the host's signature
- Supporting enclosures: copy of the host's ID, recent utility bill, council-tax bill (UK), property-tax statement or mortgage statement (US), or tenancy agreement
The statement-of-truth wording matters
UK: a statement of truth has formal weight under Civil Procedure Rule 22; a knowingly false statement can be prosecuted as contempt of court or, under section 5 of the Perjury Act 1911, as a misdemeanour. A standard wording: "I confirm that the facts stated in this letter are true. I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth."
US: for federal immigration matters and for affidavits filed in court, the document is typically signed under penalty of perjury, with the wording prescribed by 28 USC § 1746: "I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on [date]. [Signature]." For consular visa applications, the Form I-134 (Declaration of Financial Support) is the official US-citizen sponsor's affidavit and replaces the simple host letter for many visa categories.
Notarisation
Many embassies require the host letter to be notarised (US) or to be a statutory declaration made before a solicitor or commissioner for oaths (UK, under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835). Always check the specific embassy website before signing. A notarised document costs $5–$25 in the US and £5–£10 in the UK and removes a major risk of refusal.
Step-by-step procedure
- Confirm the receiving authority's exact requirements (embassy, university, bank)
- Gather the host's documents: ID, proof of address, and (if a tenant) the tenancy agreement and any landlord consent
- Draft the letter with the elements above, in English (or in both languages if the receiving country requires)
- Have it notarised or executed as a statutory declaration if required
- Send by tracked mail or hand to the applicant for inclusion in their file
- Keep a signed copy for your records — the receiving authority may not return the original
Special cases
Tenant as host: most tenancy agreements restrict subletting and may also restrict hosting third parties for extended periods. Get the landlord's written consent before signing, or include a copy of the tenancy clause that permits guests.
Multiple guests: issue a separate letter for each adult, but a single letter can cover a family unit if it lists every member.
Long stays / immigration: US Form I-134 or I-864 (Affidavit of Support) is the official document for many visa categories; the host letter supplements but does not replace it.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the statement-of-truth wording — many embassies treat the document as worthless without it
- Signing electronically when the embassy requires a wet signature
- Missing the notarisation step
- Not enclosing the host's photo ID or proof of address
- Using vague dates ("indefinitely") instead of specific start and end dates
What Lettrio generates for you in 30 seconds
Our AI produces a complete certificate of accommodation with the host and guest details, the start date, the correct statement-of-truth wording for your jurisdiction (CPR 22 in the UK or 28 USC § 1746 in the US), an enclosures list, and signature lines. PDF ready to print and notarise. First letter free, no account required.