Utah Residency

There are many situations in which you may qualify for residency. Please refer to these options to see what paperwork you will need to submit that applies to your specific situation.
 

• The 12 Month Rule: You have lived at least 12 continuous months in Utah immediately prior to the semester for which you are applying for resident status, intend to reside permanently in Utah and be financially independent.

  Required Documentation

  • Utah drivers license (Utah Identification Card is acceptable only if you do not have a drivers license issued by any state)
  • Utah tax return (most recent)
  • Utah vehicle registration (unless your vehicle is currently insured by someone living outside Utah)
  • Utah voter registration (if you are eligible to register to vote)
  • A letter from a Utah employer (on letterhead include dates of employment and signed by someone authorized to verify employment) OR a rental agreement/mortgage statement with occupancy dates specified.
  • Proof of financial independence - If you are single and under 24 years old, you must provide a copy of the first two pages of your parents’ most recent federal tax return to verify you are not claimed as a dependent on their taxes.

   

  We will generally not accept letters from friends/family, W‐2 forms or utility bills.

• You are a Utah resident who has been away less than 12 months for temporary employment

  Required Documentation

  • Utah drivers license.
  • Copy of Utah state tax returns filed during temporary absence from the state.
  • Letter from employer with employment dates, describing the temporary nature of the employment.

  Must not have established residency in any other state (state taxes, drivers license, etc.).

• You are a Utah resident temporarily away for education

  Required Documentation

  • Verification of non‐resident tuition charges or non‐resident status at out‐of‐state college/university or proof of status on the Western Undergraduate exchange program.
  • Copy of Utah state tax return filed during temporary absence from the state if filed.
  • Utah drivers license.
• You are a Utah resident away for ecclesiastical or volunteer/charitable service

  Required Documentation

  • Letter from organization verifying temporary volunteer/charitable service including dates of service (LDS missionaries may submit copies of their mission call/mission release).
  • Copy of Utah state tax return filed during temporary absence from the state if filed.
  • Utah drivers license.
• United States Armed Forces personnel who were Utah residents prior to active duty assignment

  Required Documentation

  • Copy of military documentation showing Utah as home of record.
  • At least one item of documentation retaining Utah as permanent residence (Utah driver’s license, Utah tax return, etc.).
  • Military ID.
• You are U.S. Active Duty military personnel or spouse/dependents of active duty military stationed in Utah

  Required Documentation

  • Copy of military orders/paperwork for reservists or Utah National Guard members.
  • Military ID.
  • Dependents should provide Military Privilege card.
• You are a military veteran or spouse/dependent of a military veteran relocating to Utah

  Required Documentation

  • Copy of DD‐214.
  • Military ID.
  • Dependents should provide Military Privilege card.
  • Proof of establishing residency in Utah (Utah drivers license, vehicle registration, voter registration, letter from a Utah employer, rental agreement, Utah utility bills in the student’s name, etc.)
• You are a military veteran or spouse/dependent of a military veteran with eligible military educational benefits

  Required Documentation

  • Evidence of eligibility under Title 38 U.S. Code Chapter 30, Montgomery G.I. Gill – Active Duty Educational Assistance Program, or Chapter 33, Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Program.
  • Signed written declaration that you will utilize G.I. Bill benefits.
  • At least one item of documentation establishing Utah as permanent residence (rental agreement, Utah driver’s license, Utah tax return, Utah vehicle registration, letter from a Utah employer, etc.)
• You are married to a Utah resident who is a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident

  Required Documentation

  • Marriage license or certificate.
  • Spouse’s Utah drivers license.
  • Student’s Utah drivers license.
  • Most recent Utah tax return to validate that spouse is a Utah resident.
  • If the student is not a US citizen, they must provide a copy of their I‐485 or permanent resident alien card or application to receive legal immigration status.
• You have full‐time, permanent employment in Utah

  Required Documentation

  • Letter (on company letterhead) from Utah employer verifying full‐time employment including hire date.
  • If younger than 24, your parent’s federal tax return.
  • Must have lived at least 4 months in Utah prior to applying for admission.
• Your guardian or spouse relocated to Utah for full‐time, permanent employment (including new employment/job transfer)

  Required Documentation

  • Letter (on company letterhead) from Utah employer verifying full‐time employment including hire date.
  • Copy of parent’s federal tax return verifying dependent status OR marriage license/certificate if the employed person is the student’s spouse.
• You are a dependent of a parent with Utah residency for at least the previous 12 months

  Required Documentation

  • Parents' most recent Utah state tax return & federal tax return. 
  • Parent’s Utah driver’s license, vehicle registration and voter registration.
  • May also need student's birth certificate.
• Extenuating circumstances, including divorce, death of a spouse, or long-term health care responsibilities of family members

  Required Documentation

  • All relevant evidence concerning the motivation for the move to Utah will be considered on a case‐by-case basis. 
  • Provide a statement detailing the extenuating circumstances, including date of relocation to Utah, whether you are claimed by someone living outside Utah of their taxes, etc).
  • Proof of establishing residency in Utah (Utah drivers license, voter registration, etc.)
  • Supporting documentation related to the divorce, death or health care needs.
• You are an immigrant placed in Utah as a political refugee

  Required Documentation

  • Letter from refugee placement services such as International Rescue Committee, Homeland Security or State Department, verifying direct placement in Utah from refugee’s home country.
  • Proof the student has lived 12+ months in Utah.
  • Evidence the student is establishing residency in Utah (Utah driver's license, vehicle registration, a letter from employer, etc).
• You are a member of a Native American Tribe whose reservation or trust lands lie partly or wholly within Utah, or border Utah

  Required Documentation

  • A copy of your tribal identification card or certificate of blood. Eligible tribes include: 
    • Goshute (including Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation and Skull Valley Band of Goshute)
    • Navajo Nation (Diné)
    • Shoshone
    • Bannock
    • Paiute (including Shivwits Band of Paiutes)
    • Kaibab Paiute
    • Ute
    • Hopi
    • Zuni

   

  This applies to any American Indian who is a member of a federally recognized or known Utah tribe who graduated from a Utah high school.

• You are a member of a federally recognized or known Utah tribe that has graduated from a Utah high school

  Required Documentation

  • A copy of your tribal identification card or certificate of blood.
  • Copy of the requesting student’s high school diploma or official transcript verifying graduation from a Utah high school
• You are a Jobs Corps student

  Required Documentation

  • Letter of verification from a Job Corps employee.
• You are an Olympic training athlete

  Required Documentation

  • Letter of verification from the U.S. Olympic Committee.
• You are a recipient of State Social Services in paying the full costs of tuition and fees

  Required Documentation

  • Eligible status services are limited to Utah Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the Department of Workforce Services. 
  • Provide a letter detailing participation in the program from an employee of one of these agencies.