EEA - proving lawful residence

[chris47]

Hello,

My unmarried partner (EEA national) is considering applying for naturalisation after 4 years of holding PR. She hasn't worked or studied during that time (so no P60s, letters from employers, etc). She has council tax bills, utility bills and tenancy agreements in her name covering the past 5 years. Will these be sufficient to prove lawful residence in the UK?

[Noetic]

Should do, bit tricky as technically you can rent and pay council tax without living here. Perhaps GP / hospital / dentist appointment letters (such as for smear test if she still has those letters, or results letters) may also help?

I think in cases like this maybe referees may also be consulted although if she has what you listed at least she has a paper trail.

[LilyLalilu]

She can use bank statements to prove her residence. You can order the past 5 years of bank statements from your bank for £10.
Council tax letters and tenancy agreements are absolutely fine, too (as per HO guidance).

[chris47]

Noetic and LilyLalilu, thank you both for your replies and sorry for my late response.

I called the Home Office and the person I spoke to said that the following documents would count as evidence of residency:

1) GP letter confirming that she has been part of the practice throughout the 5 year period
2) Council tax letters
3) confirmation that she has been on the electoral register
4) TV licence
5) letter from the DVLA addressed to her.

The HO officer also said that utility bills or bank/credit card statements will not be accepted as proof of residency.

My partner does not have items 4 or 5 but she is getting a letter from her GP about being registered in the practice, she has council tax bills for 4 out of the 5 years, and has been on the electoral register throughout. We are still a bit worried that these documents may not be deemed sufficient, though...

[chris47]

Just one more question if I may.

My partner has a Master's degree from a British university. Does she need to accompany this with a letter from the university stating that her degree was taught in a majority English-speaking country? The reason for asking is that it sounds a bit weird getting a letter stating that the degree was obtained in a majority English-speaking country given that that country is the UK...

[ohara]

Just one more question if I may.

My partner has a Master's degree from a British university. Does she need to accompany this with a letter from the university stating that her degree was taught in a majority English-speaking country? The reason for asking is that it sounds a bit weird getting a letter stating that the degree was obtained in a majority English-speaking country given that that country is the UK...

No, the degree certificate alone is fine.