Proof of address: transfer to Reception
When is proof of address needed?
Proof of address may be needed when you submit your child's application for a Reception school place.
Proof of address is likely to be required if you have moved in the last 12 months or we hold a different address on your child’s record to the one you have applied from.
Important: All proof of address must be submitted by the national closing date 15 January 2026.
If proof of address is submitted after the relevant closing date, the address may not be considered for processing your child's on-time application.
Moving addresses during the process
If you move address after the national closing date, you will need to send proof of address to us so we can update your address after national offer day.
National offer day is 16 April 2026 for transfer to primary school. Proof of address will also be required if you move address after national offer day.
This proof will allow us to update your child's record in relation to waiting lists once waiting lists have been released.
How can you provide proof of address?
You can upload proof of address documents when you submit your online application. You can also provide proof of address by emailing the documents to school.admissions@manchester.gov.uk You must state "Proof of address" in the email subject line. In the body of the email, state your online application reference number and your child's full name and date of birth. Photographs or scans attached to your email are usually acceptable, but must be clear and readable.
If you do not provide proof of address and this is required, we will contact you by email to request it.
If you don’t provide proof of address this will result in us being unable to consider this address when processing your application. This may have an impact on the school place that your child is offered.
What is considered the child's home address?
The child's home address is the residential property that is the child's only or main residence and which is either:
owned by the child's parent, carer(s) or the person(s) with parental responsibility for the child
leased to, or rented by, the child's parent, carer(s) or the person(s) with parental responsibility for the child
Important: If the parent or carer(s) have shared responsibility for a child, and the child lives with either for part of the week, then the main residence will be the address where the child lives for most of the school week or the address where child benefit is claimed.
What Proof of Address do we need?
- Document 1: Your most recent Current Council Tax Bill
- If your name is not listed on the council tax account, please contact your local council tax office or log into your account to request that your name be added.
- Document 2: one of the following supporting documents:
a) Tenancy agreement or mortgage statement or
b) Utility bill dated within the last 3 months (gas, electric, or water only) or
c) Child Benefit or Child Tax Credit statement (if claimed)
If you have recently moved home we may require:
- a solicitor's letter confirming contracts have been exchanged and specifying a completion date and the new address
- a signed and dated tenancy agreement from Manchester Housing Association.
If you plan to move to Manchester from another local authority in England
If you plan to move to Manchester but currently live in another authority area, then you must apply for a place through the local authority you currently pay your council tax to.
You can still apply for a Manchester school as your current authority will make us aware of your school application.