Settled status is usually proved digitally, not with a paper certificate. This can be confusing when an employer, landlord, university, bank, overseas authority or legal adviser asks for “proof of settled status” and expects a document they can keep on file.
If you have status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or another digital UK immigration status, you usually prove it through your UKVI account by generating a share code. GOV.UK explains that people with an eVisa can use the online service to view their immigration status, update their UKVI account details and get a share code to prove their status for work, rent or travel.
This guide explains how proof of settled status works, when a share code is the right evidence, why screenshots may not be accepted, and what to do if an overseas authority asks for a certified or apostilled document.
What is proof of settled status?
Proof of settled status is evidence that you have indefinite permission to stay in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme.
For many people, this proof is digital. Instead of showing a physical residence card or paper certificate, you access your UKVI account and generate a share code for the organisation that needs to check your status.
The person or organisation checking your status can then use the share code and your date of birth to view the relevant status information online. GOV.UK provides a checking service for organisations using a person’s share code, and notes that the code expires after 90 days.
Settled status is usually digital
Many immigration statuses are now shown through an eVisa or online UKVI account.
Your digital status can be used to prove rights such as:
- right to work
- right to rent
- right to study
- access to some benefits or services
- immigration status for travel-related checks
- status for employers, landlords or public bodies
This means there may not be a physical document to apostille. If the status exists only online, a printed screenshot is usually not the same as an official certificate.
How to prove settled status with a share code
The usual route is to use the GOV.UK View and Prove service.
The process usually works like this:
- sign in to your UKVI account
- view your immigration status
- choose the reason you need to prove your status
- generate a share code
- give the share code and your date of birth to the checker
- the checker uses the GOV.UK service to confirm your status
GOV.UK explains that the View and Prove service lets you get a share code to prove your status to others, update your personal details and check what rights you have in the UK, such as the right to work, rent or claim benefits.
Different share codes for different purposes
When generating a share code, the reason you choose matters.
For example, you may need a code for:
- right to work
- right to rent
- another immigration status check
- a general status check
Some organisations can only use the code if it matches the purpose of their check. For example, an employer will usually need a right to work share code, while a landlord may need a right to rent share code.
If the checker says the code does not work, check whether you selected the correct reason when generating it.
Why screenshots may not be enough
A screenshot of your settled status screen may feel like proof, but it may not be accepted.
Screenshots can be rejected because:
- they may be outdated
- they can be edited
- they may not show the full status information
- they may not show current UKVI account details
- the organisation may need a live online check
- a share code may be required for compliance
- the screenshot may not show the correct purpose, such as right to work or right to rent
For official UK checks, a share code is usually stronger than a screenshot because it allows the organisation to verify your status online.
Proof of settled status for employers
Employers usually need to complete a right to work check.
If you have digital immigration status, you will normally generate a right to work share code and give it to the employer with your date of birth. The employer then checks your status online through the official service.
A printed screenshot of settled status may not be enough for employer compliance if the employer is required to perform an online right to work check.
Proof of settled status for landlords
Landlords or letting agents may need proof of your right to rent.
If your immigration status is digital, you may need to generate a right to rent share code. The landlord can then use the GOV.UK checking service to confirm your status.
Make sure you choose the right purpose when generating the code, otherwise the landlord may not be able to complete the check properly.
Proof of settled status for banks and universities
Banks, universities and other organisations may ask for proof of immigration status as part of onboarding, compliance or eligibility checks.
They may accept:
- a share code
- a UKVI status check
- passport or identity document
- Home Office correspondence
- additional proof of address
- supporting ID documents
Each organisation may have its own process. If they ask for a “document”, explain that settled status is normally digital and ask whether they can check it using a share code.
Proof of settled status for benefits or public services
Some public services may need to confirm your immigration status or eligibility.
Your UKVI account can show your status and rights. GOV.UK’s View and Prove service explains that you can use it to check what rights you have in the UK, including examples such as the right to work, rent or claim benefits.
If a public body asks for evidence, ask whether they need a share code, Home Office status check or supporting documents.
Proof of settled status for overseas use
Overseas authorities may not always understand UK digital immigration status. They may ask for a paper document, certificate, certified copy or apostille.
This can be difficult because settled status is usually not issued as a traditional paper certificate.
An overseas authority may ask for proof of settled status for:
- visa applications
- foreign residency procedures
- family registration abroad
- overseas tax or banking
- university admission
- employment abroad
- marriage or civil status applications
- nationality or citizenship matters
- proof of UK residence history
- legal or inheritance procedures
In these cases, you may need to clarify what they actually need. They may be able to accept a share code, a Home Office letter, a solicitor-certified printout, or another supporting document such as a UK residence document, proof of address, tax record or employment letter.
Can proof of settled status be apostilled?
A digital UKVI status screen or share code cannot usually be apostilled in the same way as a birth certificate or marriage certificate.
An apostille confirms a recognised signature, stamp or seal on a UK document. The UK Legalisation Office checks whether the signature, stamp or seal matches its records before attaching an apostille.
A share code is not a signed paper document. A screenshot from your UKVI account may not contain a verifiable signature, stamp or seal. This means it may not be suitable for direct apostille.
If an overseas authority insists on apostille, you may need a different document route.
Possible document routes for overseas authorities
If an overseas authority asks for apostilled proof of settled status, check whether they will accept one of the following:
- Home Office letter, if available
- solicitor-certified UKVI status printout
- notary-certified declaration about digital status
- statutory declaration explaining settled status
- certified passport copy
- proof of address
- HMRC tax records
- employment confirmation letter
- UK residence evidence
- immigration decision correspondence, where available
Some of these documents may need solicitor or notary certification before apostille. The apostille would usually confirm the solicitor’s or notary’s signature, not the digital status itself.
Solicitor-certified status printout
In some cases, a solicitor may be able to certify a printed copy of your UKVI status screen or supporting document.
This may help where the overseas authority needs a paper bundle and accepts certified printouts.
However, this route has limits. A solicitor-certified printout is not the same as an official Home Office certificate. It simply certifies the printout or copy in a professional capacity.
If the document then needs apostille, the apostille is usually attached to the solicitor’s certification.
Notary certification for overseas use
A notary may be safer if the proof of settled status is being used for a formal overseas legal process.
This may be relevant for:
- foreign courts
- property transactions
- overseas inheritance
- foreign banks
- immigration procedures abroad
- civil law jurisdictions
- embassy or consular requirements
A notary may be able to prepare a notarial certificate explaining what was checked, attach supporting evidence and create a document suitable for apostille.
Always check whether the receiving authority will accept this before paying for notarial work.
Statutory declaration about settled status
If no official paper certificate exists, a statutory declaration may sometimes be used to explain your immigration status and how it can be checked.
A statutory declaration may state that:
- you hold settled status
- your status is digital
- you can generate a UKVI share code
- you have provided supporting evidence
- your passport or identity details match your UKVI account
- the declaration is made for a specific overseas purpose
This declaration may then be signed before a solicitor or notary and apostilled if required.
However, a statutory declaration does not replace Home Office confirmation. It is a formal statement from you, not an official immigration status certificate.
Home Office letters and immigration correspondence
Some people may have Home Office correspondence confirming their EU Settlement Scheme outcome or immigration status.
This may include:
- decision email
- status outcome letter
- older immigration correspondence
- Home Office reference number
- UKVI account confirmation
- eVisa-related correspondence
If the overseas authority asks for official evidence, ask whether they accept Home Office correspondence. If the letter is digital, it may still need certification before apostille.
Keep your UKVI account details updated
Proof of settled status depends on your UKVI account being accurate.
You should keep details updated, including:
- passport number
- identity document
- email address
- phone number
- name changes
- nationality changes
- travel document changes
GOV.UK explains that the eVisa service can be used to update details in a UKVI account.
If your passport has changed and your UKVI account is not updated, you may have problems proving your status or travelling.
Name changes and settled status
If your name has changed since you received settled status, make sure your UKVI account and supporting documents are consistent.
You may need:
- deed poll
- marriage certificate
- civil partnership certificate
- divorce document
- statutory declaration
- updated passport
- certified translation, if documents are foreign
- apostille, if documents are used abroad
Name differences can cause problems when the share code information does not match the passport or application documents.
Expired share codes
Share codes are not permanent.
GOV.UK’s checking service states that a share code expires after 90 days.
If a code has expired, generate a new one through your UKVI account. Do not rely on an old screenshot or old email containing a previous code.
Digital status and travel
If you use an eVisa or digital immigration status, make sure your passport or travel document details are up to date before travelling.
A mismatch between your travel document and UKVI account can cause problems when proving status. GOV.UK’s eVisa guidance includes travel as one of the areas where online immigration status may be used.
For travel or border-related questions, check the latest Home Office guidance before you rely on old documents.
Translation requirements
If proof of settled status or supporting evidence is being used abroad, translation may be required.
This may apply to:
- solicitor-certified printout
- notarial certificate
- statutory declaration
- Home Office correspondence
- passport copy
- proof of address
- supporting civil certificates
- immigration decision letter
The correct order matters. Some authorities want the document certified and apostilled first, then translated. Others may require a sworn translation or translation completed in the destination country.
Common mistakes to avoid
Common mistakes include:
- assuming settled status comes with a paper certificate
- sending screenshots when a share code is required
- choosing the wrong share code purpose
- using an expired share code
- failing to update passport details in the UKVI account
- assuming a screenshot can be apostilled directly
- apostilling a supporting declaration without checking if the authority accepts it
- forgetting name change evidence
- using a printout without solicitor or notary certification
- translating documents before checking the correct order
- relying on an old Home Office email without checking current status
These mistakes can delay work, renting, banking, study, travel or overseas applications.
How to prepare proof of settled status
The process usually works as follows.
1. check who needs the proof
Confirm whether the proof is for an employer, landlord, university, bank, public body or overseas authority.
2. generate the right share code
Use the GOV.UK View and Prove service and select the correct reason for sharing your status.
3. provide the code and date of birth
The checker usually needs both the share code and your date of birth to view your status.
4. check your UKVI details
Make sure passport, name and contact details are up to date.
5. clarify overseas requirements
If an overseas authority wants a paper document, ask whether they accept a certified printout, Home Office letter, statutory declaration or notarial certificate.
6. arrange certification or apostille if needed
If a supporting document must be apostilled, it may need solicitor or notary certification first.
7. arrange translation if required
Translate certified or apostilled documents in the order required by the receiving authority.
How we can help
We can help prepare supporting documents where proof of settled status is needed for overseas use.
Our service can include advising whether a UKVI printout, Home Office letter, statutory declaration or notarial certificate may be suitable, arranging solicitor or notary certification, submitting eligible documents for FCDO apostille and helping with certified translation where required.
If an overseas authority has asked for apostilled proof of settled status, send us their exact wording. We can help identify the safest document route before you pay for certification or apostille.