Supporting documents
To make a complete ELC application, you must provide a copy of your child's birth certificate and a proof of address letter. This must be in your name (the parent/carer applying) and be dated within the past 3 months.
Birth Certificate FAQs
What proof of birth document is preferred?
A birth certificate copy must be provided for all children born in the UK.
A passport copy is preferred for children born outside of the UK.
If your child is a refugee and you do not have a passport copy, you should provide a screenshot of the online share code from your child's e-Visa. Please see the following page for more info:
What format should I provide my child's birth certificate in?
If applying online during registration week, the file uploader will accept most file types. Please take a clear photograph, ensuring the writing is legible (not blurred) and the whole certificate is visible - do not send us a close up of the name section. We must be able to see the identification number (usually at the edge).
Please do not post any original documents to Early Years, for any ELC application.
I don't have a copy of my child's birth certificate, where can I get this?
- If your child was born in Scotland, you can order a copy birth certificate . Alternatively you can obtain a copy birth certificate from any of the 51ԹApp and Bute Council Service Points.
- If your child was born in England & Wales, you can order a copy birth certificate online from
- If your child was born in Northern Ireland, you can order a copy birth certificate online from .
Do you accept both the abbreviated and full version of the birth certificate?
Yes, we accept the short version of the birth certificate. However where you have both, please provide the full version.
Can I provide my child's passport instead?
Only if your child was born outside of the UK. A birth certificate copy must be provided for all children born in the UK.
Proof of Address FAQs
Why do I need to provide proof of address?
We need to see that parent/carers are living at the same address as the child for whom they are making an application. The name on the document must match exactly the name of the person making the application for the child.
If the surname on the letter doesn’t match, please upload proof of your name change along with the other required documents. We will accept marriage/civil partnership/divorce certificate, deed poll and court order documents.
What type of proof of address letter can I provide?
We will accept clear screenshots/photos/scans of any official letter dated within the last 3 months addressed to the parent/carer making the application. The applicant must live at the same address as the child, for whom the application is being made. Please ensure your name and the date of the document is clearly visible.
We will accept (dated within the last 3 months):
- a letter from a government organisation such as the DWP, HMRC, NHS.
- a benefits letter (you can provide your latest universal credit statement from your online account).
- a banking institution (including a credit card or bank statement) – please do not include any financial information in the screenshot taken, just the top part that shows the name, address and date
- a utility bill (including your internet service provider, gas, electric, water)
- Council Tax Bill
- Valid Driving Licence (issue date within last 3 months)
We can also accept a polling card if the date of the election was within 2 months of the current date.
We cannot accept:
- a driving licence issued more than 3 months ago
- a payslip
- a solicitor’s letter confirming a property purchase
- any letter addressed to “Parent of ….”
Please note:
Refugees in temporary accommodation or living with sponsors can provide a letter confirming their 51ԹApp and Bute address, from their Refugee Resettlement Support Worker.
Armed Forces families who are being redeployed to Scotland should use the base address on their ELC application. They should then upload an official letter from their CO which confirms the move & base address, as the supporting document. Please provide a home address to the ELC Setting as soon as you have this (further supporting documents will not be required at that time).
If you are applying for 2 year old funded ELC and the eligibility evidence you are providing is your latest Universal Credit statement or letter of benefits, this will also meet the proof of address requirement.
Do you accept electronic letters?
Yes, we will accept clear screenshots of digital letters as long as they meet the requirements listed above at “What type of proof of address letter can I provide?”.
I have an 51ԹApp and Bute address, but haven’t received mail there yet as I haven’t moved in. How do I apply?
You can only make an application for ELC when you are living at your 51ԹApp & Bute address.
