KYC Proof of Address Simplified for RRBs and Cooperative Banks
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/641 · issued 12 Jun 2014 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI now allows customers to submit just one proof of address (current or permanent) when opening an account. If the address changes, a fresh proof must be given within six months. For a local correspondence address, banks can accept a customer declaration without proof, verifying it through positive confirmation.
The rule, in the simplest words
When you open a bank account, you only need to give ONE proof of your address (either where you live now or your permanent home address).
If the address on that proof changes later, you must give a new proof within six months.
If you want letters sent to a different local address (like a temporary place), you can just tell the bank that address without any proof, and the bank will check it by sending you a letter or calling you.
How it plays out — a real example
A KYC & compliance officer in a cooperative bank in rural Maharashtra helps a migrant worker open a savings account. The worker shows his permanent address proof from his village, but wants letters sent to his current rented room. The officer accepts the single proof, takes a simple declaration for the local address, and later verifies it by calling the worker to confirm he received his ATM card.
What changed
Previously, customers often had to provide separate proofs for both current and permanent addresses, causing difficulties for migrant workers and transferred employees. Now, only one documentary proof of address is required at account opening or periodic updation. If the address on that proof changes, customers must submit a fresh proof within six months. For a local correspondence address, banks can rely on a customer declaration and verify it via positive confirmation like acknowledging receipt of letters, ATM cards, or phone calls.
What it means for you
This simplifies KYC compliance for RRBs and cooperative banks, reducing customer friction especially for mobile populations. Banks must update their KYC policies to reflect this single-proof approach and ensure strict adherence. The change also reduces documentation burden while maintaining AML/CFT standards through verification mechanisms.
What you must do
Revise your bank's KYC policy to allow customers to submit only one proof of address (current or permanent) at account opening or periodic updation.
Implement a process for customers to submit a fresh proof of address within six months if the address on the original proof changes.
Accept a customer declaration for a local correspondence address without requiring proof, and verify it through positive confirmation methods like acknowledging receipt of letters, ATM cards, or phone calls.
Ensure customers inform the bank within two weeks if their correspondence address changes.
Have the Principal Officer acknowledge receipt of this circular to the respective RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), State/Central Cooperative Banks (StCBs/CCBs), Customers, especially migrant workers and transferred employees
❓ Common questions
Can a customer now open an account with only a permanent address proof even if they live elsewhere?
Yes, they can submit just one proof of address (current or permanent). If it's not the local address, they must provide a declaration of their local correspondence address, which the bank verifies through positive confirmation.
What happens if the customer's address changes after account opening?
If the address on the submitted proof changes, the customer must submit a fresh proof of address to the branch within six months. For a change in the correspondence address, they must inform the bank within two weeks.
Do banks need to collect any proof for the local correspondence address?
No, banks can accept a customer declaration for the local address without any documentary proof. However, the bank must verify this address through positive confirmation, such as acknowledging receipt of letters, ATM cards, or phone calls.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/641
RPCD.RRB.RCB.AML.BC.No.111/07.51.018/2013-14
June 12, 2014
The Chairmen/CEOs
All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and
State/Central Cooperative Banks (StCBs/CCBs)
Madam/Dear Sir,
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 our circulars RPCD.CO.RRB.RCB.AML.No.6097/7.51.018/2012-13 dated December 13, 2012 and RPCD.RRB.RCB.BC.No.63/07.51.018/2012-13 dated January 30, 2013 on 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 and Annex-II of our circulars RPCD.No.RRB.BC.81/03.05.33(E)/2004-05 and RPCD.AML.BC.No.80/07.40.00/2004-05 both dated February 18, 2005 regarding requirement of ‘proof of address’ while opening a bank account by individuals.
2. Reserve Bank of India 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:
a) 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.
b) In case the proof of address furnished by the customer is not the local address or address where the customer is currently residing, the RRB/StCB/CCB 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 RRB/StCB/CCB within two weeks of such a change.
3. RRBs and StCBs/CCBs may revise their KYC policy in the light of the above instructions and ensure strict adherence to the same.
4. The Principal Officer may acknowledge receipt of this circular to our Regional Office concerned.
Yours faithfully,
(A. Udgata)
Principal Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/641 · issued 12 Jun 2014. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Revise your bank's KYC policy to allow customers to submit only one proof of address (current or permanent) at account opening or periodic updation.
📜 Compliance
Implement a process for customers to submit a fresh proof of address within six months if the address on the original proof changes.
Accept a customer declaration for a local correspondence address without requiring proof, and verify it through positive confirmation methods like acknowledging receipt of letters, ATM cards, or phone calls.
Ensure customers inform the bank within two weeks if their correspondence address changes.
Have the Principal Officer acknowledge receipt of this circular to the respective RBI Regional Office.
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 (Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), State/Central Cooperative Banks (StCBs/CCBs), Customers, especially migrant workers and transferred employees), your first concrete step on “KYC Proof of Address Simplified for RRBs and Cooperative Banks” is: “Revise your bank's KYC policy to allow customers to submit only one proof of address (current or permanent) at account opening or periodic updation.” (RBI issued this 12 Jun 2014).
Circular: RBI/2013-14/641 -- KYC Proof of Address Simplified for RRBs and Cooperative Banks
Issued: 12 Jun 2014
Action required: Revise your bank's KYC policy to allow customers to submit only one proof of address (current or permanent) at account opening or periodic updation.
Action required: Implement a process for customers to submit a fresh proof of address within six months if the address on the original proof changes.
Action required: Accept a customer declaration for a local correspondence address without requiring proof, and verify it through positive confirmation methods like acknowledging receipt of letters, ATM cards, or phone calls.
Action required: Ensure customers inform the bank within two weeks if their correspondence address changes.
Action required: Have the Principal Officer acknowledge receipt of this circular to the respective RBI Regional Office.
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=8940&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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