Supporting documents
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 online. Alternatively you can obtain a copy birth certificate from any of the Argyll and Bute Council Service Points.
- If your child was born in England & Wales, you can order a copy birth certificate online from General Register Office.
- If your child was born in Northern Ireland, you can order a copy birth certificate online from NI Direct.
- If your child is a refugee, you should provide the Biometric Residents Permit instead.
Do you accept both the abbreviated and full version 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.
What type of proof of address letter can I provide?
We will accept clear screenshots/photos/scans of any formal letter from the past 3 months (make sure the date & your name is visible). This can include bank statements (please only send top part), benefits/council tax letter or utility bills.
We cannot accept a driving licence unless the issued date is within the past 3 months.
Refugees in temporary accommodation or living with sponsors, can provide a letter from Morag Brown.
If you are applying for 2 year old ELC and the evidence you are providing is your universal credit statement, or letter of benefits, this will meet the proof of address requirement also.
Does the name on the proof of address letter have to exactly match the name of the applicant (the parent/carer)?
Yes, this should show the applicant's name not the child's. The name on the letter must exactly match the name of the person making the application, it cannot be the name of another parent.
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.
Do you accept electronic letters, I do not get much mail anymore?
Yes, we will accept clear screenshots of digital letters as long as we can clearly see the type of letter, name, date & address.
I have an Argyll 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 resident, so living in, your Argyll & Bute address.