Residency Documentation

Guidelines

Documentation should be provided by the claimant (the person claiming Florida residency) – this will either be the independent student or the dependent student’s parent or legal guardian.  
 

For the definition of a claimant and more information about dependent/independent status, please visit Helpful Terms.

Directions

1. Documents supporting the establishment of legal residence must be dated, issued, or filed 12 months prior to the first day of classes of the term for which a Florida residency classification is sought.
    
2. All documentation is subject to verification.
    
3. Please provide at least two of the following documents, with dates that evidence the 12-month qualifying period mentioned above.
    
4. At least one of the documents must be from the First Tier shown below. 

PLEASE NOTE: Sending in this information does not necessarily qualify you for Florida residency. Additional documentation may be required.

 

First Tier

At least one of the two documents submitted must be from this list. 

• Florida Driver's license (if known to be held in another state previously, must have relinquished) OR a State of Florida identification card (if evidence of no ties to another state)
• Florida voter registration card
• Florida vehicle registration
• Declaration of domicile in Florida (12 months from the date the document was sworn and subscribed as noted by the Clerk of Circuit Court)
• Proof of purchase of a permanent home in Florida that is occupied as a primary residence of the claimant
• Transcripts from a Florida high school for multiple years (if Florida high school diploma or GED was earned within last 12 months)
• Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida (one or more jobs for at least 30 hours per week for a 12 month period)
• Benefit histories from Florida agencies or public assistance programs

Second Tier

May be used in conjunction with one document from First Tier.

• A Florida professional or occupational license
• Florida incorporation
• Documents evidencing family ties in Florida
• Proof of membership in Florida-based charitable or professional organizations
• Any other documentation that supports the student's request for resident status
  Examples:
  • Utility bills and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments
  • Lease agreement and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments
  • State or court documents evidencing legal ties to Florida
   

Unacceptable Documents

May NOT be used.

• Hunting/fishing licenses
• Library cards
• Shopping club/rental cards
• Birth certificate
• Passport