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First, you'll need to determine whether you're considered dependent or independent. If neither of these apply to you, you may qualify for an exception.

To prove Florida residency, you need two documents proving you (if independent) or your parent/guardian (dependent) lived in the state for at least 12 months and one day before your term starts.

We highly encourage students to submit this information when applying to the university but you can update this information afterwards via the Residency Declaration Form on the Applicant Portal.

Step 1: Gather Your Residency Documentation

Whether you're applying for residency during your ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏApplication or in the Applicant Portal, you'll need to submit two documents to prove that either you or your parent/guardian were a Florida resident for at least 12 months and one day before first day of class.

• If you are classified as a dependent: Submit your parent/guardian's information.
• If you are classified as an independent: Submit your personal information.

You can find more information about dependent and independent status on this page.

What Documents Are Required to Prove Florida Residency Status?

To prove your Florida residency, you must submit one document from Section A and then one more document either from Section A or Section B.

Please note: most people will end up submitting two documents from Section A. 

Acceptable Documents for Florida Residency

Section A	Section B
Florida driver's license  Provide license number, original issue date and current issue date	Declaration of domicile in Florida This is a form you or your parent/guardian fills out declaring your place of residence, and you can get the form from your county clerk's office
Florida voter's registration card Provide the number and issue date	Florida professional or occupational license You or your parent/guardian can get one of these licenses from the state of Florida if they're applicable to a field you work in, like tree trimming or electrical
State of Florida identification card Provide the number, original issue date and current issue date	Florida incorporation If you or your parent has started a business in Florida, you can use this documentation to prove residency
Florida vehicle registration Provide your VIN, original issue date and current issue date	Document evidencing family ties in Florida Submit a document signed by a relative who has lived in Florida for 12 months consecutively and can provide documentation to prove their Florida residency
Proof of a permanent home in Florida occupied for 12 consecutive months Provide a deed, homeowner's policy, property tax payment or a lease with proof of 12 months payment	Proof of membership in a Florida-based charitable or professional organization Provide documentation that you or your parent/guardian is part of a professional or charitable organization in Florida
Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida for at least 30 hours per week over a 12-month period Provide W2 or pay stubs, as well as an official letter from your employer on company letterhead that includes your start date, amount of hours worked, and employment duration	Any other documentation supporting your request for resident status, like utility bills and proof of 12 consecutive payments, a lease agreement with proof of 12 consecutive payments, or an official state, federal, or court document showing legal ties to Florida
Transcripts from a Florida high school that show two or more years if the Florida high school diploma was earned within the last 12 months

Note: If you or your parent/guardian have proof of a homestead exemption in Florida, you may now qualify for Florida residency through an exception using only this documentation.

Remember, if you're seeking in-state residency, you have to prove you've lived in Florida for 12 months and one day before the start of your first semester. This means your documents should be dated or include an issue date of 12 months and one day before the first day of the semester.

• For example, if you want to start in the fall 2025 semester, which starts on August 25, 2025, you must have documentation that proves Florida residency dated before August 24, 2024.

Term Starts	Latest Date Your Documents Can Show
Spring 2025: January 13, 2025	January 12, 2024
Summer A and C 2025: May 19, 2025	May 18, 2024
Summer B 2025: June 30, 2025	June 29, 2024
Fall 2025: August 25, 2025	August 24, 2024

Step 2: Submit a ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏApplication and Complete the Residency Section Completely OR Complete the Residency Declaration Form in the Applicant Portal

In Your Application

As you complete your  simply follow the prompts to submit the ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏresidency documents with your application. The benefits of submitting your residency documents with your application are:

• It immediately starts your evaluation process.
• It prevents a delay in processing your application, which can impact available aid, housing and more.

Please note: Residency status does NOT affect your admission decision.

In the Applicant Portal

If you're declaring your residency after you've submitted your application, you'll want to do that in the . 

1. You will be taken to your Admissions Checklist.
2. Select “Forms“ on your checklist.
3. Navigate to the Undergraduate Residency Declaration Form and follow the prompts to submit your documents.

Please note: Update(s) to your Application Checklist will not be reflected on your Applicant Portal until your form is processed by the Office of Admissions. Please allow up to 4-6 weeks for processing from the time the form is received.

Step 3: Know Your Residency Status

Once your Florida Residency for Tuition purposes status is approved, you will receive a notification in your  that this step has been completed. You are able to register for classes even if your residency status is not solidified.

• You have until the last day of classes in your first term to request a re-evaluation of your initial residency status by providing sufficient documentation. However, if your residency status is listed as non-Florida at the time that classes begin, you will be assessed out-of-state tuition charges.
• After you have completed your first term at USF, you can request a reclassification of your residency status from the Office of the Registrar.

A dependent student is considered a legal resident of the same state as his or her parent or legal guardian (the claimant). If the claimant is a legal guardian and NOT the student's parent, additional guardianship documentation will be required (see Section II). 

I. Eligible Residency Documents

The State of Florida requires the submission of two documents which must be dated/issued at least 12 months and one day prior to the first day of classes for the semester for which Florida residency is sought. If there is evidence of legal ties to another state, Florida residency may not be claimed. No single document shall be conclusive.

II. Proof of Guardianship (required if claimant is NOT the student's parent)

• Documents showing Court appointed guardianship (power of attorney is NOT sufficient)
• Three consecutive years of tax returns in which the student is claimed as a dependent by the claimant

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required for in-state status.

III. Proof of Dependency (required if student is a graduate student (under 24) and claimant is the student's parent and/or guardian)

• Claimant is the student's parent
  • Copy of most recent tax return showing the student was claimed as a financial dependent
• Claimant is the student's guardian
  • Copy of most recent tax return showing the student was claimed as a financial dependent
    • AND
  • Documents showing Court appointed guardianship (power of attorney is NOT sufficient)
    • OR
  • Three consecutive years of tax returns in which the student is claimed as a dependent by the claimant 

Undergraduate students age 24 or older and all graduate students regardless of age are presumed to be independent by the State. All other students seeking to claim independence must provide proof of independence in addition to Florida residency documentation (see Section II).

I. Eligible Residency Documents

The State of Florida requires the submission of two documents which must be dated/issued at least 12 months and one day prior to the first day of classes for the semester for which Florida residency is sought. If there is evidence of legal ties to another state, Florida residency may not be claimed. No single document shall be conclusive.

II. Proof of Independence (required if student is under the age of 24 and is NOT a graduate student)

Students seeking to claim residency as an independent must submit one of the following along with eligible residency documentation outlined above.

• Marriage license
• Tax return indicating that the student claims a dependent child OR copy of child's birth certificate
• Copy of student's tax return (1040) indicating that they have earned at least 51% of the estimated cost of attendance* for the application year AND copy of parent's tax return (1040) indicating that the student is NOT claimed on the parent's taxes

*The estimate is based on the cost of attendance for in-state residents.

Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. citizens are required to submit documentation to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required for in-state status. 

In special cases, Florida statute provides accommodation for a student to receive classification for in-state tuition purposes when supporting documentation is submitted. A student should only request residency classification using one of these categories if they do not qualify as either an independent or a dependent student.

Students must submit the supporting documentation along with the Residency Declaration Form. All letters of verification must include a contact name and telephone number so university staff can confirm the information you provided.

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Exception 1: I am married to a person who has maintained legal residence in Florida for at least 12 months.

Required Documentation:

Copy of marriage license AND Residency Declaration Form completed by the spouse AND two eligible residency documents.

Eligible Residency Documents:

The State of Florida requires the submission of two documents which must be dated/issued at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the semester for which Florida residency is sought. Moreover, if there is evidence of legal ties to another state, Florida residency may not be claimed. The documents submitted must include at least one proof from the list of primary documents. No single document shall be conclusive.

Primary Documents:

• Florida driver's license or State Identification card
• Florida vehicle registration
• Florida voter's registration
• Proof of a homestead exemption in Florida