What is required to prove Texas residency?
The documents required to establish Texas residency depend on how you are claiming domicile in the state. Our office may request any documentation that provides clear and convincing evidence that you (or your parent/spouse, if applicable) have established a permanent residence in Texas for purposes other than education.
To support your claim, our office may ask to submit as many of the following documents as apply to your situation:
Employment-Based Residency
Verification of 12 months of non-student employment (e.g., employer letter with dates and hours worked, or 12 months of pay stubs)
Spouse’s or parent’s employment verification (same documentation as above)
Housing and Property
Lease agreements or utility bills covering the past 12 months
Warranty deed for residential property owned in Texas
Education and Tax Records
Texas high school transcript
Federal income tax return (first page only; redact SSNs)
Parent’s federal income tax return (if applicable)
Legal and Government Documents
Marriage certificate
Texas driver’s license
Texas voter registration card
Military LES (Leave and Earnings Statement)
Visa or Notice of Action for I-485 (for you or your parent)
Other Supporting Documents
Residency Affidavit (download at bealonghorn.utexas.edu/residency/downloads)
Letter from employer verifying temporary job assignment outside Texas
Statement from a Texas college or university confirming prior Texas residency classification
Personal statement explaining your ties to Texas and intent to make it your permanent home
Note: This is not a comprehensive list, and you are not required to submit every document listed—only those that are relevant to your specific circumstances. However, the more applicable and detailed documentation you provide, the stronger your case for establishing Texas residency will be. Please keep in mind that our office may request additional documentation if your situation is complex or if further clarification is needed during the review process.
Why am I classified as a non-resident when I’ve lived in Texas for years? How can I update or correct my residency status?
Don’t worry—some individual college or school admission applications do not require you to complete the Texas Residency section during the initial application process. As a result, you may be automatically classified as a non-resident until you submit the required residency information.
To request a review of your residency status, please complete the Texas Residency Questionnaire here: https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/student/residency/
Be sure to answer all questions as thoroughly and accurately as possible. Once submitted, our team will review and process your application promptly.
How do I submit additional documents if the upload portal is full?
If you're experiencing issues with the residency portal or have reached the maximum upload limit, you can submit your additional documentation using the UT Box widget provided.
When uploading, please make sure to clearly label each document with your full name and UT EID. For example:
"Utility Bills July 2024 to July 2025 – John Smith – jjs123"
This helps us match your documents to your application quickly and accurately.
How long does it take for residency status to be updated after submitting documents?
Processing times can vary, especially during peak periods. To help avoid delays, please ensure that:
You have completed the Residency Questionnaire and it has been submitted.
All requested documentation is uploaded and clearly labeled.
If additional information is needed, our office will contact you directly.
Can I qualify for residency through my parents’ employment or domicile?
Yes, you may qualify for residency through your parent(s) or legal guardian if you are claimed as a dependent on their federal income tax return. In this case, your parent or guardian must establish domicile in Texas for you to be eligible for in-state residency classification.
Establishing domicile typically means your parent or guardian lives and works in Texas for reasons other than education and intends to make Texas their permanent home. Supporting documentation may be required to verify this status.
If your parent or legal guardian resides in another state and claims you as a dependent, you are not eligible to establish Texas residency—unless you qualify based on high school domicile in Texas or your parent is temporarily away from the state. However, if your parent or legal guardian resides in Texas and is eligible to claim you as a dependent, you may be eligible for Texas residency.
What if my parent is no longer employed—can I still qualify as a dependent resident?
Yes, it is still possible to qualify for Texas residency through your parent even if they are no longer employed, as long as they have established and maintained domicile in Texas.
To be considered a Texas resident as a dependent, your parent must:
Have lived in Texas for at least 12 consecutive months, and
Be able to show they’ve established a primary residence in Texas—this can include evidence such as property ownership, lease agreements, utility bills, or other documentation that demonstrates long-term intent to remain in the state.
While employment is one way to establish domicile, it is not the only factor. The state considers a variety of indicators to determine whether someone has made Texas their permanent home.
If your parent meets these criteria and you are claimed as a dependent on their federal tax return, you may still be eligible for in-state residency classification.
Why was my residency application denied without explanation?
If your residency application was denied, a Secure Academic Note (SAN) is typically sent to your student portal with some details regarding the decision. Please check your portal for any messages or updates.
If you believe you still have a valid case for Texas residency, you are welcome to submit a new application at:
When reapplying, be sure to provide as much detailed information as possible in Section H of the questionnaire. This section allows you to explain your situation and include any additional context or documentation that may support your claim.
What should I select on the questionnaire if I didn’t pay tuition at my previous institution?
Please complete the Residency Questionnaire as thoroughly and accurately as possible, even if you did not pay tuition at your previous institution. Leaving questions blank can lead to delays or follow-up requests for clarification.
If a question doesn’t apply to your situation, provide a brief explanation where possible. Our office will review your responses and follow up if additional information is needed.
Does my residency status affect financial aid or tuition rates?
Questions about how your residency status specifically affects your tuition bill or financial aid package should be directed to the appropriate offices:
For tuition and billing questions, contact Student Accounts Receivable: https://financials.utexas.edu/student-accounts
For financial aid questions, contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid: https://onestop.utexas.edu/finances/financial-aid/
These offices can provide the most accurate and up-to-date information based on your individual situation.
Can I reapply for residency if I have been previously denied?
Yes, you can reapply for residency in a future term if your application was denied or if you were classified as a non-resident.
To do so, simply submit a new Residency Questionnaire for the term in which you plan to enroll:
If you are appealing a previous decision, be sure to clearly explain your circumstances in Section H of the questionnaire. This section allows you to provide additional context or updated documentation that may support your case for residency.
How do I know if my documents were received?
If you uploaded your documents through the residency portal or submitted them via UT Box as requested, rest assured they have been received. However, please note that a staff member must manually re-review your application to ensure all required documentation is complete.
We ask that you allow up to four weeks for this review process once your documents have been submitted. If additional information is needed, we will contact you directly.
Thank you for your patience as we carefully review your materials.
What are the next steps after submitting the residency questionnaire?
Thank you for submitting your Residency Questionnaire! Once submitted, your application enters our review queue.
Our staff works diligently to review all residency applications, and we aim to complete this process within 4 weeks—especially during peak periods. There is no need to take further action unless we contact you.
If additional information or documentation is required, we will reach out to you directly. In the meantime, please ensure that all your materials are complete and clearly labeled to help avoid delays.
How do immigration or visa statuses (e.g., parolee, refugee) affect residency eligibility?
Certain immigration and visa statuses may allow non-U.S. citizens to establish domicile in Texas and qualify for in-state tuition. Eligibility depends on your specific status and whether you meet the state’s requirements for establishing residency.
You may be eligible to establish domicile in Texas if you are:
A Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder)
A person who has filed an I-485 application for permanent residency and received a receipt or Notice of Action (I-797) from USCIS
A holder of an eligible nonimmigrant visa, such as:
A, E, G, H-1B, I, K, L, N, NATO, or other qualifying categories
However, individuals on F-1/F-2, J-1/J-2, or TN/TD visas are not eligible to establish domicile for residency purposes.
If you are a refugee, asylee, or parolee, you may also be eligible depending on your documentation and ability to demonstrate intent to reside in Texas long-term.
To determine your eligibility, you’ll need to submit the Residency Questionnaire along with supporting immigration documentation. Each case is reviewed individually.
Why is my application still incomplete in the portal?
If your Residency Questionnaire is still showing as incomplete in the portal, it means it has not yet been submitted and therefore has not entered our review queue. This is a common reason for delays in processing.
To ensure your application can be reviewed:
Make sure all required sections of the questionnaire are fully completed.
Avoid leaving any questions blank—if something doesn’t apply, provide a brief explanation.
Click “Submit” at the end of the questionnaire (saving your progress is not the same as submitting).
Once submitted, your application will move into the queue for review. If additional information is needed, we’ll contact you directly.
Does a temporary absence affect my residency application?
A student or parent's temporary absence won't impact residency claims if it is due to:
Service in the U.S. Armed Forces, Public Health Service, Department of Defense or State Department;
Foreign military conscription;
Employment assignment; or
Educational purposes.
Students or parents must first establish Texas residency and provide documentation for the absence. If the absence happens before completing one year of Texas residency and establishing domicile, non-resident status may result.