What a certificate of accommodation is and when you need one
A certificate of accommodation is a signed statement in which you confirm that another person lives, or will stay, at your address. You'll also see it called a host letter, an accommodation attestation or a proof-of-residence letter. Embassies ask for it with visa applications. Banks, universities and government offices ask for it when the person has no bill in their own name. For all of them, it's evidence that the person really has somewhere to live for the period in question.
When you're likely to need one
- Visa applications: the US B-2 visitor visa, the UK Standard Visitor visa, the Schengen short-stay visa and the Canadian TRV all routinely accept or ask for a host letter when the applicant is staying with family or friends
- Proof of address: opening a bank account, applying for a driving licence or a state ID, registering with HMRC, a US state DMV or a UK council, when the person lives with someone else and has no utility bill in their name
- Immigration files: supporting evidence in family-based green-card petitions (the USCIS Form I-130 process), spouse and dependant visas under the UK Immigration Rules, and partner visas elsewhere
- University: proof of a UK or US address for international student enrolment, student services or a student bank account
- Tax: some HMRC and IRS residency questions, where the statutory tests decide but supporting documents help
What the host letter must contain
- The host's full details: legal name, date and place of birth, nationality, home address and contact details
- Whether the host owns, rents or sublets the property, with the landlord's agreement if the lease requires it
- The guest's full details: legal name, date of birth, nationality and, where relevant, passport number
- The start date of the stay and, where relevant, the end date or length
- Whether the accommodation is free of charge, and if not, on what terms
- A statement of truth worded for your jurisdiction
- The date, the place of signing and the host's signature
- The enclosures: a copy of the host's ID and a recent utility bill, plus a council tax bill (UK), a property tax or mortgage statement (US) or the tenancy agreement
The statement of truth matters
UK: a statement of truth has formal weight under Civil Procedure Rule 22. A knowingly false statement can be pursued as contempt of court or, under section 5 of the Perjury Act 1911, as a criminal offence. 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 affidavits filed in court, the document is usually signed under penalty of perjury using the wording in 28 USC § 1746: "I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on [date]. [Signature]." For consular visa applications, Form I-134 (Declaration of Financial Support) is the official sponsor's declaration and takes the place of a simple host letter in many visa categories.
Notarisation
Many embassies want the host letter notarised (US) or made as a statutory declaration before a solicitor or commissioner for oaths (UK, under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835). Check the embassy's website before you sign. Notarisation costs about $5–$25 in the US and £5–£10 in the UK, and it removes a common reason for refusal.
Step by step
- Check exactly what the embassy, university or bank asks for
- Gather the host's documents: ID, proof of address and, for a tenant, the tenancy agreement and any landlord consent
- Write the letter with the elements above, in English, or in both languages if the receiving country requires it
- Have it notarised or made as a statutory declaration if required
- Send it by tracked mail or hand it to the applicant for their file
- Keep a signed copy, because the original may not come back
Special cases
You're a tenant: most tenancy agreements restrict subletting, and some limit long-term guests. Get the landlord's written consent before you sign, or enclose the clause that allows guests.
Several guests: write one letter per adult. A single letter can cover a family if it lists everyone.
Long stays and immigration: US Form I-134 or I-864 (Affidavit of Support) is the official document for many visa categories. The host letter supports it but doesn't replace it.
Common mistakes
- Leaving out the statement of truth, without which many embassies give the letter no weight
- Signing electronically when the embassy wants a handwritten signature
- Skipping notarisation when it's required
- Not enclosing the host's photo ID or proof of address
- Writing "indefinitely" instead of giving a start and end date
What Lettrio writes for you
Enter your details, your guest's and the dates. Lettrio writes the certificate with the statement of truth for your jurisdiction (CPR 22 in the UK, 28 USC § 1746 in the US), a list of what to attach and a signature line. Print it and sign it by hand, in front of a notary if the embassy asks for that.