To prove you're independent, you must send both of your parent's death certificates.
If you do not have these and your parents died in the UK, you must get duplicates.
If your parents died outside of the UK, send any official document you have that confirms your parents have died abroad.
If you do not have any official documentation, send a covering letter advising the reason you cannot get an official document and a letter signed by either a:
- Consular officer - someone who works for an Embassy or Consul, either employed by the UK government or another country's government
- Minister of religion such as a Rabbi, Priest, or Imam
- Medical or legal practitioner - someone currently registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) such as a GP or consultant
- Established civil servant - someone who is employed by the Crown excluding those employed by the Monarch, who has passed any compulsory probation period for new Civil Service employees
- Teacher - someone with a teaching qualification who is working as a teacher currently
- Police officer - someone currently working within the UK police force
The letter must give details of the situation and include the person's:
- job title
- employer
- contact details
- relationship to you
This must be written on headed paper if applicable.