Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/634 · issued 09 Jun 2014 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI now allows customers to submit just one proof of address (current or permanent) when opening or updating a bank account. If the address changes, a fresh proof must be given within six months. For non-local addresses, banks can accept a declaration and verify via positive confirmation.
The rule, in the simplest words
You only need to give ONE proof of your address (where you live now or your permanent home) when you open or update a bank account.
If your address changes, you must give the bank a new proof within six months.
If the address on your proof is not where you currently live, you can just tell the bank your local address for letters, and they will check it by sending something (like a letter or ATM card) and seeing if you get it.
If your local address for letters changes, you must tell the bank within two weeks.
How it plays out — a real example
A branch operations officer in Indore is helping a customer who moved from Mumbai for work. The customer has only a Mumbai address on their Aadhaar card. The officer accepts that as the one proof of address, takes a simple declaration of the customer's current Indore address for sending letters, and later verifies it by mailing a welcome letter and getting a signed acknowledgment back.
What changed
Previously, banks required separate proofs for current and permanent addresses. Now, only one documentary proof of address is needed. If the address on the proof differs from the customer's current residence, banks can take a declaration of the local address for correspondence without requiring additional proof, and verify it through positive confirmation methods.
What it means for you
This simplifies KYC compliance for banks, especially for migrant workers and transferred employees. Banks must update their KYC policies to accept a single address proof and implement verification procedures for correspondence addresses. It reduces documentation burden but requires banks to ensure robust verification through positive confirmations like acknowledgment receipts or visits.
What you must do
Revise your bank's KYC policy to accept only one proof of address (current or permanent) for account opening and periodic updates.
Implement a process for customers to submit fresh proof of address within six months if their address changes.
For non-local addresses, obtain a declaration of the local address for correspondence and verify it through positive confirmation methods.
Ensure customers inform the bank of any change in correspondence address within two weeks.
Who it affects
All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs), Local Area Banks, All India Financial Institutions, Migrant workers and transferred employees, Bank customers undergoing KYC updation
❓ Common questions
What is the key change in address proof requirements?
Customers now need to submit only one documentary proof of address—either current or permanent—when opening a bank account or during periodic KYC updation, instead of separate proofs for both.
What happens if the address on the proof is not the customer's current residence?
The bank can accept a declaration of the local address for correspondence without requiring additional proof. The bank must verify this address through positive confirmation, such as acknowledgment of receipt of letters, ATM cards, or telephonic conversation.
How quickly must a customer update a changed address?
If the address on the submitted proof changes, the customer must provide fresh proof within six months. For a change in the correspondence address, the customer must inform the bank within two weeks.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/634
DBOD.AML.BC. No. 119/14.01.001/2013-14
June 9, 2014
The Chairperson/CEOs of all Scheduled Commercial Banks (Excluding RRBs)/
Local Area Banks / All India Financial Institutions
Dear Sir/ Madam,
Know Your Customer (KYC) Norms/Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Standards/ Combating of Financing of Terrorism (CFT) /Obligation of banks under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 – Clarification on Proof of Address
Please refer to paragraph 2.4 (h), (i), (j) (l), (m) and Annex I of Reserve Bank’s Master Circular on Know Your Customer (KYC) Norms/Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Standards/Combating of Financing of Terrorism (CFT)/Obligations under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, issued vide DBOD. AML. BC. No. 24/14.01.001/2013-14 dated July 1, 2013 , regarding requirement of ‘proof of address’ while opening a bank account by individuals.
2. Reserve Bank has been receiving representations/references from various quarters’ especially migrant workers, transferred employees, etc. regarding problems faced in submitting a proof of current/permanent address while opening a bank account. The matter has since been examined in the light of amendment to the Prevention of Money Laundering Rules (Maintenance of Records), 2005, and accordingly it has been decided to simplify the requirement of submission of ‘proof of address’ as follows:
Henceforth, customers may submit only one documentary proof of address (either current or permanent) while opening a bank account or while undergoing periodic updation. In case the address mentioned as per ‘proof of address’ undergoes a change, fresh proof of address may be submitted to the branch within a period of six months.
In case the proof of address furnished by the customer is not the local address or address where the customer is currently residing, the bank may take a declaration of the local address on which all correspondence will be made by the bank with the customer. No proof is required to be submitted for such address for correspondence/local address. This address may be verified by the bank through ‘positive confirmation’ such as acknowledgment of receipt of (i) letter, cheque books, ATM cards; (ii) telephonic conversation; (iii) visits; etc. In the event of change in this address due to relocation or any other reason, customers may intimate the new address for correspondence to the bank within two weeks of such a change.
3. Banks may revise their KYC policy in the light of the above instructions and ensure strict adherence to the same.
4. Please advise your Principal Officer to acknowledge receipt of this circular letter.
Yours faithfully
(Lily Vadera)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/634 · issued 09 Jun 2014. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Revise your bank's KYC policy to accept only one proof of address (current or permanent) for account opening and periodic updates.
📜 Compliance
Implement a process for customers to submit fresh proof of address within six months if their address changes.
For non-local addresses, obtain a declaration of the local address for correspondence and verify it through positive confirmation methods.
Ensure customers inform the bank of any change in correspondence address within two weeks.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template
Example: if you are a Branch Manager at a bank this circular applies to (All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs), Local Area Banks, All India Financial Institutions, Migrant workers and transferred employees, Bank customers undergoing KYC updation), your first concrete step on “RBI Simplifies Address Proof for Bank Accounts” is: “Revise your bank's KYC policy to accept only one proof of address (current or permanent) for account opening and periodic updates.” (RBI issued this 09 Jun 2014).
Circular: RBI/2013-14/634 -- RBI Simplifies Address Proof for Bank Accounts
Issued: 09 Jun 2014
Action required: Revise your bank's KYC policy to accept only one proof of address (current or permanent) for account opening and periodic updates.
Action required: Implement a process for customers to submit fresh proof of address within six months if their address changes.
Action required: For non-local addresses, obtain a declaration of the local address for correspondence and verify it through positive confirmation methods.
Action required: Ensure customers inform the bank of any change in correspondence address within two weeks.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.
💬 Banker Discussion
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=8931&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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