How to Change Your Nonresident Status to Resident

1. Establish a physical presence by living in California for 366 days prior to the first day of instruction you wish to be a resident.
2. Establish your intent to become a California resident by changing your ties immediately from your previous residence to this state. Please be advised that intent is subject to applicable dates and deadlines, which can be found on our Filing Dates and Deadlines page. 
3. Meet one of the financial independence requirements.

You will not be eligible for a change of classification until:

• You are an adult over age 18 and a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible visa holder, and
• You have established all your ties to California at least one year prior to the residence determination date for the quarter you are seeking the reclassification (see Residence Determination Dates).  Please be advised that intent is subject to applicable dates and deadlines, which can be found on our Filing Dates and Deadlines page, and
• You can meet one of the financial independence requirements, and
• BEFORE you submit the petition and documentation, you are enrolled for that quarter.

Please see the Filing Dates and Deadlines page.

1. Download the Change of Classification petition (PDF).
2. Complete all applicable information.
3. Sign and date the bottom of the form.

Submit files of all 10 applicable documents and write an explanation for all missing or late dated documents. Black out social security numbers on any or all documents.

Verify your physical presence, intent, and financial independence for the past year by providing all 10 of the following:

1. California driver's license or a California ID card within the first quarter of admission. The DMV has very specific rules; see their information for persons new to California. Operating a vehicle in California that is not owned by you still requires you to obtain a California driver's license and proof of California car insurance.
2. Voter registration card or affidavit from Registrar of Voters. Contact Registrar of Voters at (800) 696-0136, or check status and apply online at the County of San Diego's website.
3. Bank and credit card statements with a California address and California transactions for all 12 months prior to the quarter for which you are applying.
4. California car registration and car insurance card within the first quarter of admission. The DMV has very specific rules; see their information for persons new to California. Operating a vehicle in California that  is not owned by you still requires you to obtain a California driver's license and proof of California car insurance.
5. Tax transcript and all pages of Federal and all state tax returns for the past year, or W2s only if you did not file in any state. Your residency will be questioned if, during the period you are claiming to be a California resident, you file a full-year resident tax return in another state or file a full-year nonresident California state tax return. If you filed a California Part-Year Resident return (Form 540NR), be sure to include your Schedule CA page (540NR).  Black out all social security numbers on all tax documents. If you did not keep copies, call Franchise Tax Board for copies of state tax return and the IRS for your federal tax return at least 90 days before you submit your packet.
6. Evidence of financial independence (you must meet ONE requirement). You:
   • Are a single undergraduate under age 24 and were not claimed as a dependent for tax purposes by either nonresident parent or any other individual for the current tax year immediately preceding the quarter for which you request classification as a resident, and you can demonstrate self-sufficiency for the current year. Single undergraduates under 24 must submit, for the applicable quarter a petition is being filed, a budget worksheet form. Use the applicable form - Budget Worksheet (PDF)

   • Document all sources of income listed on the worksheet, and include your own and your parents' prior tax year of state and federal tax returns, or

   • Are financially dependent on California resident parent(s) who meet the University's requirements for residence for tuition purposes (eligible to establish residence, one year physical presence showing intent to remain in the state); student would submit the 10 items for the parent(s) claiming to be a resident(s) and for the student his/herself, or
   • Will be at least 24 years old by Dec. 31 of the academic year for which classification as a resident is requested (student would submit copy of driver's license), or
   • Are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, or
   • Are a ward of the court or both parents are deceased, or
   • Have a legal dependent(s), or
   • Are a married student who was not claimed as an income tax deduction by either parent or any other individual for the tax year immediately preceding the term for which classification as a resident is requested, or
   • Are a graduate or professional school student.
7. Proof of physical presence in California for the summer immediately prior to the change of classification request:
   • Employment verification from California employer, or from your major department attesting to physical presence in the state, and
   • Either bank or credit card statements, whichever one indicates dates/location activity on them for June, July, and August. If there are other names on the account in addition to the student's, the only statements that can be provided must be in the student's name only.
   • If absent from the state, provide airline tickets.
   • If on an out-of-state research appointment, provide a letter from your department endorsing your absence.
   • Do not submit store receipts as proof of your physical presence.

   Summer actions count! A student's actions during the entire year, including the summer, affect the determination made regarding residence status for tuition purposes. A student who is in California solely for educational purposes is not eligible for California residence for tuition purposes regardless of the length of his or her stay.

   If a student returns to his or her former place of residence (outside California), he or she will be presumed to be in California solely for educational purposes and only strong evidence to the contrary will rebut this presumption.

   A student seeking to establish California residence who accepts employment or conducts research outside of California will be questioned regarding his or her attempts to find employment and/ or conduct research within California. Leaving the state for a unique research opportunity or for special circumstances (such as a medical emergency) may not preclude the student from being classified as a resident, but the burden will be on the student to provide convincing evidence that leaving the state was not inconsistent with his or her claim of permanent residence. See Residence for Tuition Purposes: Temporary Absences.

8. Copies of all your housing contracts, monthly rental agreements, lease or proof of property ownership for the past year, or verification in writing from property owner of housing agreement.
9. Proof of utilities in your name, e.g. gas, electric, water, etc. CHOOSE ONE for all 12 months prior to the quarter for which you are applying, only submit the usage page for each month.
10. Non-US citizens must provide proof of eligible USCIS status in the US (permanent resident card, I-94 record for the past year, I-821D DACA approval notice, etc.).

Before you submit your package, make sure:

• You are enrolled at UCSD for the quarter you are seeking the reclassification (otherwise, your petition will not be reviewed).
• You've filled out the petition correctly and fully.
• You're providing copies of all documents or a written explanation for all missing or late-dated documents.
• You've completed a Budget Worksheet as one of your 10 documents, ONLY if you're a single undergraduate under age 24.
• All social security numbers are completely blacked out on all documents.

Submit your petition with documentation.

1. Online Submission petition with all documentation:
   • Online Submission: Closed for Fall 2023
     

     (The link becomes active on 8/1/2023 at 8:00 am and inactive on 9/1/2023 at 4:30 pm)