Binance Tier 1 KYC (Basic Verification) does not require Proof of Address; just an ID document + facial recognition is enough. After completing Tier 1, the vast majority of retail users can withdraw up to the equivalent of 1 million USD daily. Proof of Address (POA) is only needed for Tier 2 KYC (Intermediate Verification) or when risk control requires you to submit it. Common acceptable documents include utility bills, bank statements, credit card statements, government tax bills, and rental agreements. If you haven't registered an account yet, create one using your details on the Binance Official Website; for Android users, installing the Binance Official APP to upload files is the most convenient. iPhone users can refer to the iOS Installation Guide to switch Apple IDs and get the official APP. This article clearly explains "when you need Proof of Address, which documents can be used, and how to take photos."
1. The Relationship Between the Three Levels of Binance KYC and Proof of Address
Binance KYC is divided into three tiers, and each tier requires different documents:
| Verification Tier | Required Materials | Withdrawal Limit | Is Proof of Address Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unverified | Email/Phone | 0 | No |
| Tier 1 (Basic) | ID Document + Facial Recognition | 1 Million USDT/Day | No |
| Tier 2 (Intermediate) | Tier 1 Materials + Proof of Address | 2 Million USDT/Day | Yes |
| Tier 3 (Institutional) | Tier 2 Materials + Company Documents | Custom | Yes |
For 99% of individual users, completing Tier 1 KYC is more than enough. The withdrawal limit for Tier 1 is the equivalent of 1 million USD per day, which is more than sufficient for almost all retail investors.
So, when do you need to upgrade to Tier 2? Mainly in the following situations:
First, large-volume traders. If your average daily trading volume frequently exceeds 1 million USD, upgrading is recommended.
Second, institutional investors. Family offices, hedge funds, and other institutions must complete Tier 2 or above.
Third, requested by risk control. If the system detects certain risk signals on your account (abnormal IP, abnormal funds, frequent changes in login devices), you might be temporarily required to submit Proof of Address; otherwise, account functions will be restricted.
Fourth, mandatory requirements in certain regulated regions. For example, users in some EU countries or the UK are required by local Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws to provide Proof of Address.
If you don't fall into any of the above categories, you don't need to proactively submit a Proof of Address. Just use your account after completing Tier 1 KYC.
2. List of Proof of Address Documents Recognized by Binance
If you do need to submit a Proof of Address, the following are document types officially recognized by Binance. All documents must have been issued within the past 3 months and must clearly show your name + full address.
| Document Type | Approval Rate | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Utility Bills (Electricity, Water, Gas) | High | Most commonly used; must be in the account holder's name. |
| Bank Statements | Very High | Credit or debit cards are both fine. |
| Credit Card Statements | Very High | Must be a monthly statement, not a transaction record. |
| Government Tax Bills | Very High | Property tax, personal income tax bills. |
| Official Government Letters | High | From Social Security, Tax, or Immigration Departments. |
| Rental Agreements | Medium | Must have the landlord's signature and ID number. |
| Internet/TV/Mobile Phone Bills | Medium | Must be in the account holder's name. |
| Driver's License (Certain Countries) | High | Only if the license has a detailed address printed on it. |
Here are the specific requirements for each type of document.
Utility Bills
The most commonly used document with the highest approval rate. Requirements:
First, the account holder's name must perfectly match the name on your KYC. If you are renting and the bill is in the landlord's name, this bill cannot be used, and you'll need to find another proof.
Second, the address must be complete, including country, city, street, and door number. Vague addresses are not accepted.
Third, the issue date must be within 3 months. For example, if you submit it in April, the bill must be issued after January.
Fourth, it must be an official bill, not a recharge receipt or payment slip. The bill should feature the utility company's logo, account number, billing cycle, and other complete information.
Bank Statements
Documents with the highest approval rate, highly preferred by Binance. Requirements:
First, it must be a Monthly Statement, not an online banking screenshot or a single transaction record.
Second, the statement must display your full name + address + account number + bank name + statement period.
Third, the issue date must be within 3 months.
Fourth, it must be a PDF or color scan; black and white photocopies are not accepted.
Most banking apps allow you to download electronic monthly statements in PDF format, which you can directly upload.
Credit Card Statements
The logic is the same as for bank statements. Note that it must be a monthly bill (containing complete account information and address), not a temporary consumption receipt. You can download your monthly credit card statement PDF from your bank's APP.
Government Tax Bills and Official Letters
These are excellent Proof of Address documents if you have tax bills, social security statements, or letters from the immigration department issued by the government.
Rental Agreements
This is the most strictly scrutinized type. Binance will require:
First, the contract must be officially printed (not handwritten) and signed by the landlord.
Second, the contract must display the landlord's ID number or passport number.
Third, the contract period must cover the current date.
Fourth, the tenant's name on the contract must match your KYC name.
Many rental agreements are non-standard, resulting in an approval rate of only about 50%. Utility bills or bank statements should be prioritized.
3. Photo and Upload Standards for Proof of Address
Once you have the material, how do you upload it? Binance has high requirements for the image quality of Proof of Address documents.
Step 1: Choose PDF or Take a Photo
If you can get a PDF electronic version (bank statement, online utility bill), use the PDF first. Uploading it directly ensures clarity and avoids glare issues.
If you only have a paper version, take a photo with your phone. Note:
Place the bill flat on a light-colored desk; do not hold it in your hand.
Ensure even lighting to avoid shadows caused by overhead lights.
All four corners must be within the frame, leaving a 1-2 cm margin.
Take the photo from above at a distance of 30-40 cm.
After taking the photo, zoom in to check if all key information (name, address, date, issuing institution) can be clearly read.
Step 2: Check File Size
Binance requires a single image file not to exceed 10MB. Original phone photos are usually 3-5MB, which is fine, but high-resolution PDFs scanned by a scanner might be too large and need to be compressed online to between 2-5MB.
Step 3: Upload
Open the Binance APP → Avatar → Identity Verification → Upgrade to Intermediate Verification → Upload Proof of Address. Follow the prompts to upload the file and wait for review.
The review time for Tier 2 KYC is longer than Tier 1, usually taking 1-3 business days, and in rare cases, 5-7 days.
4. Documents That CANNOT Be Used as Proof of Address
The following documents cannot be used and will be rejected directly if submitted:
First, online shopping orders. Orders from Amazon or other e-commerce sites do not count as official bills and are not recognized by Binance.
Second, courier waybills. Delivery slips do not count as Proof of Address.
Third, handwritten receipts. Any handwritten documents without an official seal or institutional logo are unacceptable.
Fourth, expired bills. Anything older than 3 months will not be accepted.
Fifth, household registers (Hukou). Certain local household registers are not recognized by Binance's system because they are not among the internationally accepted types of Proof of Address.
Sixth, the back of an ID card (even if it has an address). The ID card has already been used for Tier 1 KYC and cannot be used again as Proof of Address.
Seventh, payslips. A payslip does not count as Proof of Address because a company is not an address-certifying institution.
Eighth, insurance policies. The address on an insurance policy is not necessarily your residential address and is not recognized.
5. What if the Proof of Address Information Does Not Match KYC?
Common inconsistencies:
Situation 1: The bill is in your parents' name, not yours. If you live with your parents and the bill is in their name, this bill cannot be used. You need a bank statement under your own name.
Situation 2: You just moved and don't have a bill for your new address yet. Proof of Address requires documents from the "past 3 months". If you moved a few weeks ago and haven't received your first bill yet, you can first update your address in your bank APP → wait for next month's statement → use the new statement. This process usually takes 30 days.
Situation 3: The address on the bill doesn't match the address on your ID. Binance looks at your "actual residential address," not your registered permanent residence. If your registered residence is in your hometown but you actually live in another city, it is correct to use a Proof of Address from your current city.
6. Special Situations: What if You Have No Proof of Address at All?
In rare cases, you might not have any usable Proof of Address (e.g., student dorms, short-term co-living, just arrived in a new country). In this case:
First, go to a bank and open a debit card. Fill in your actual address when opening the card, and the bank system will issue a statement (an electronic version is fine) a few business days later. This is the fastest way, taking 5-7 days.
Second, community-issued residence certificates. Local community centers can issue a "Proof of Residence" with an official seal. Binance's approval rate is about 60%.
Third, go to the local police station to apply for a residence permit. A residence permit has your permanent address printed on it, is a high-level government document, and has a high recognition rate by Binance.
7. Frequently Asked Questions About Proof of Address
Q: After finishing Tier 1 KYC, will Binance ask me to submit a Proof of Address at any time?
Theoretically possible, but practically rare. The system mainly asks for it in two situations: you upgrade to Intermediate Verification, or risk control detects abnormal signals (like large withdrawals + abnormal IP). Regular daily use of the account generally won't prompt this request.
Q: Must the address on the Proof of Address be exactly the same as on my ID?
No. Binance looks at your actual residential address. If your registered address is in your hometown but you live elsewhere, using a Proof of Address from your current city is perfectly fine and not contradictory.
Q: How long does the Proof of Address document review take?
Tier 2 KYC review typically takes 1-3 business days. During the review, Tier 1 permissions function normally and your trading is not affected.
Q: If my name on the Proof of Address is off by one letter (e.g., a spelling mistake in English), can I still use it?
No. The system is very strict regarding name consistency; a single wrong letter will result in a rejection. You need to go to the issuing institution (bank/utility company) to correct your name and then apply for a new bill.
Q: Can I use a utility bill under my spouse's name?
No. The Proof of Address must be in the name of the KYC holder. If all household bills are in your spouse's name, you should open a card under your own name at a bank and use that bank statement as Proof of Address.
Q: Can the Proof of Address document be in a non-English language?
Yes. Binance customer support handles multi-language reviews. However, since the main reviewers are in places like Malta or Dubai, processing documents in languages other than English might take 1-2 business days longer.
8. Final Advice
If you are just a regular retail investor, completing Tier 1 KYC is completely sufficient, and you don't need to bother with Tier 2. The 1 million USD daily withdrawal limit of Tier 1 is a high ceiling for the vast majority of people.
If you are indeed asked to submit a Proof of Address due to risk control, simply select a bank statement or utility bill from the list above and submit it. The entire process takes 1-3 business days.
Before submitting, confirm these three things again: First, the document is from within the last 3 months; second, the name on it perfectly matches your KYC; third, the address is complete. If these three criteria are met, your Tier 2 KYC will likely be approved almost instantly.