Establishing and Maintaining Domicile in Texas (Independent Individuals)
If you filed as an independent (or filed jointly with your spouse) for the previous tax year on your most recent tax filing and you do not receive the majority of your financial support from another person who is not your spouse, you may qualify for Texas residency if you establish and maintain a domicile in Texas and show your intent to establish residency in Texas.
This option for establishing residency in Texas is available to:
- Citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. (Non-citizens and non-permanent residents may also use this option if they have an application for permanent residency on file with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for at least 1 year without being denied.)
- International students who hold an eligible visa or immigration status to domicile in the U.S.
Note: F1 Visa Holders are not eligible to domicile in the U.S. per the U.S. Immigration Office, therefore a student holding an F1 Visa would not be eligible to apply for in-state residency.
To establish residency, students must meet the following criteria:
- Physically reside in Texas and have for the 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the census date of the semester in which the student enrolls in a Texas public college or university and
- Establish and maintain domicile in Texas for a period of 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls in a Texas public college or university based on one of the options below:
Note: Employment conditioned on student status, such as work study, the receipt of stipends, fellowships, or research or teaching assistantships does not constitute gainful employment.
Required Supporting Documentation:
Establishment and Maintenance of Domicile in Texas (Items submitted may vary depending on the domicile option)
- Employment Verification Letter on company letterhead that confirms employment at a Texas-based location of at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the census date of the semester in which the student enrolls
- Title/Deed for residential real property in Texas to verify 12 consecutive months of ownership immediately preceding the census date of the semester in which the student enrolls
- Business License or Proof of Ownership of a business in Texas of at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the census date of the semester in which the student enrolls
- Marriage License demonstrating marriage of at least 12 consecutive months to someone who has resided and maintained domicile in Texas for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls
Physical Presence in Texas (at least 2 bulleted items from the list below must be submitted)
- Texas driver’s license or Texas ID card that has not expired and shows an origination date at least 12 months prior to the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls
- Texas voter registration card issued at least 12 months prior to the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls
- Utility bills listing name and Texas address for the 12 consecutive months preceding the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls
- Texas bank statements listing name and Texas address for the 12 consecutive months preceding the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls
- Apartment lease or rental of residential property listing name and Texas address for the 12 consecutive months preceding the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls
Note for Non-U.S. Citizens: In addition to the supporting documentation items listed above, students must also submit a copy of their eligible visa and/or other government documentation to demonstrate they are under an immigration status that is eligible to domicile.