Acceptable Residency Documentation
An institution may request that a person provide documentation to support or clarify the
answers to the Core Residency Questions. In order to receive resident tuition, a student
must prove they established domicile in Texas prior to the certification/census date of
the semester in which they are enrolling. The student has the burden of proof to show
by clear and convincing evidence that residence or domicile, as appropriate, has been
established and maintained. Residency rules are established by the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board. (http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/)
TO VERIFY RESIDENCY for tuition purposes, students are required to complete a
Residency Questionnaire online.
Residency Glossary:
Certification/Census Date - The date in an academic term for which an institution is required to
certify a person’s enrollment.
Clear and Convincing Evidence – That degree of proof that will produce a firm conviction or a
firm belief as to the facts sought to be established. The evidence must justify the claim both
clearly and convincingly.
Core Residency Questions – The questions set forth by the board to be completed by a
person and used by an institution to determine if the person is a Texas resident.
Dependent - a person who is less than 18 years of age and has not been emancipated by
marriage or court order or is eligible to be claimed as a dependent of a parent for purposes of
determining the parent’s income tax liability.
Domicile – A person’s principal, permanent residence to which the person intends to return
after any temporary absence.
Eligible for Permanent Resident Status – A person who has filed an I-485 application for
permanent residency and has been issued a fee/filling receipt or notice of action by the United
States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) showing that his or her I-485 has been
reviewed and has not been rejected.
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Established Domicile in Texas – Physically residing in Texas with the intent to maintain
domicile in Texas for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the census date of
the term of enrollment, allowing for documented temporary absences.
Gainful Employment – Employment intended to provide an income to a person or allow a
person to avoid the expense of paying another person to perform the tasks (as in child care)
that is sufficient to provide at least one-half of the individual’s tuition, fees and living expenses
as determined in keeping with the institution’s student financial aid budget or that represents an
average of at least twenty hours of employment per week. A person is self-employed or who is
living off his/her earnings may be considered gainfully employed for purposes of establishing
residency, as may a person whose primary support is public assistance. Employment
conditioned on student status, such as work study, the receipt of stipends, fellowships, or
research or teaching assistantships does not constitute gainful employment.
Legal Guardian - a person who is appointed guardian under the Texas Probate Code, Chapter
693, or a temporary or successor guardian.
Managing conservator – a parent, competent adult, an authorized agency, or a licensed childplacing agency appointed by court order issued under the Texas Family Code, Title 5.
Maintain Domicile – To physically reside in Texas such that the person intends to always
return to the state after a temporary absence. The maintenance of domicile is not interrupted by
a temporary absence from the state.
Nonresident Tuition – The amount of tuition paid by a person who does not qualify as a Texas
resident.
Parent - a natural or adoptive parent, managing or possessory conservator, or legal guardian of
a person. The term would not include step-parent.
Possessory Conservator – A natural or adoptive parent appointed by court order issued under
the Texas Family Code, Title 5.
Resident Tuition – The amount of tuition paid by a person who qualifies as a Texas resident
under this subchapter.
Residential Real Property – real property on which a dwelling is located.
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Required Documents for Non U.S. Citizens
Are you a Permanent Resident?
 If yes, bring in original Permanent Resident card to the Admissions Office, A405.
Are you a foreign national who has submitted an application for Permanent Resident
Status to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and has received a
fee/filing receipt or notice action (I-797) from USCIS showing that your I-485 has gone
through preliminary review and not been rejected?
 If yes, bring in original documentation from USCIS to the Admissions Office A405.
Are you a foreign national here with a visa eligible to domicile in the United States or are
you a Refugee, Asylee, Parolee, or here under Temporary Protective Status?
 If yes, bring in original documentation from USCIS to the Admissions Office A405.
Are participating in the DREAM Act program?
 If yes, bring in original work authorization card and social security card to the Admissions
Office A405.
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If you were enrolled at Texas public institution during a fall or spring
semester within the previous 12 months and were classified as a Texas
resident, provide the following documents.
*All residency documents must be received and approved by certification date of the semester
in which you are enrolling.
Provide one of the following documents to prove In-State Residency:
Option 1: A letter from the Registrar of the college you attended verifying:
 Last term attended
 Did you pay resident tuition or non-resident tuition
 Letter must have Registrar’s contact information
Delivery Methods:
 Mail to: North Lake College
Attn: Admissions Office
5001 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Irving, TX. 75038

Registrar can email the letter to: [email protected]
Option 2: An official college transcript verifying your Texas residency and enrollment within the
past academic year (fall and spring only).
Provide one of the following documents if you live in Dallas County:
 Current utility bill
 Valid Texas driver’s license or Texas ID card with current address
 Lease or rental of residential real property
 Current pay stub with home address
 Current mailed bank statement
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If you graduated from a public or accredited private high school, provide
proof that you lived in Texas 36 consecutive months prior to graduating and
proof that you lived in Texas for the 12 consecutive months prior to
enrollment.
*All residency documents must be received and approved by certification date of the semester
in which you are enrolling.
If you graduated from a Texas high school within the past 12 months provide the
following document:

A final high school transcript showing you lived in Texas 36 consecutive months prior to
graduating high school (10th-12th grade).
If you graduated from a Texas high school more than 12 months ago, provide both of the
following documents:

A final high school transcript showing you lived in Texas 36 months prior to graduating
(10th-12th grade)

Proof that you lived in Texas for the past 12 months (provide one document)
a) Valid Driver’s License or Texas ID card with a current address that was issued at
least 12 months prior to enrollment.
b) Lease or rental of residential real property with a current address signed 12
consecutive months prior to enrollment.
c) Utility bills with a current address for 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment.
d) Texas voter registration card that was issued 12 months prior to enrollment with
your current address.
e) Mailed bank statements reflecting a current address for the 12 consecutive
months prior to enrollment.
If you received a GED in the state of Texas, provide all of the following documents:

Bring original GED certificate to the Admissions Office or go to www.tea.edu to print
confirmation.

Provide one of the following documents to prove you lived in Texas 36 consecutive
months prior to completing your GED:
a) A Texas high school transcript showing enrollment for 36 consecutive months
prior to receiving a GED.
b) Valid Driver’s License or Texas ID card with a current address that was issued at
least 36 months prior to receiving a GED.
c) Lease or rental of residential real property with a current address signed 36
consecutive months prior to receiving a GED. You may need to provide more
than one lease agreement to document the full 36 months.
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d) Utility bills with a current address for 36 consecutive months prior to receiving a
GED.
e) Mailed bank statements reflecting a current address for the 36 consecutive
months prior to receiving a GED.

Provide one of the following documents to prove you lived in Texas for the past 12
consecutive months
a) Valid Driver’s License or Texas ID card with a current address that was issued at
least 12 months prior to enrollment.
b) Lease or rental of residential real property with a current address signed 12
consecutive months prior to enrollment.
c) Utility bills with a current address for 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment.
d) Texas voter registration card that was issued 12 months prior to enrollment with
your current address.
e) Mailed bank statements reflecting a current address for the 12 consecutive
months prior to enrollment.
Provide one of the following documents if you live in Dallas County:





Current utility bill
Valid Texas driver’s license or Texas ID card with current address
Lease or rental of residential real property
Current pay stub with home address
Current mailed bank statement
Undocumented Student
If you are an undocumented student and lived in Texas 3 years leading up to high school
graduation or the receipt of a GED and resided in Texas the 12 consecutive months prior
to enrollment then you are eligible to sign a *Noriega Affidavit. This document must be
signed by a Notary Public and submitted with the documentation listed above.
*Noriega Affidavit Information: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/reports/PDF/1528.PDF
*Noriega Affidavit Information in Spanish:
http://www.dcccd.edu/Why/WhatWeOffer/Espanol/Futuros/Paying/Pages/Noriega.aspx
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If you, a spouse or parent/legal guardian are a member of the U.S. Military
and Texas is your Home of Record, provide the following documents:
*All residency documents must be received and approved by certification date of the semester
in which you are enrolling.
Provide one of the following documents to prove In-State Residency:


DD214 showing Home of Record is Texas
Leave and earning statements that show you claimed Texas as your place of residence
for 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment.
Provide one of the following documents if you live in Dallas County:





Current utility bill
Valid Texas driver’s license or Texas ID card with current address
Lease or rental of residential real property
Current pay stub with home address
Current mailed bank statement
If you are basing residency on your spouse, provide one of the following additional
document:


A marriage license proving one year of marriage
If you filed jointly, the last two tax returns.
If you are basing residency on a parent or legal guardian, provide the following additional
documents:


A birth certificate proving you are eligible to be claimed as a dependent on a parent’s
federal income tax or a copy of the parent or legal guardian’s federal income tax return
that list the dependents claimed for that year.
If the parent or legal guardian is not a U.S. citizen, an original Resident Alien Card is an
essential part of proof of residency.
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If you, a spouse or parent/legal guardian holds the title to residential real
property in Texas and have lived at this residence for the 12 consecutive
months prior to enrollment, provide the following documents.
*All residency documents must be received and approved by certification date of the semester
in which you are enrolling.
Provide the following documents to prove In-State Residency:

Warranty Deed and one of the following:
a) Valid Driver’s License or Texas ID card with a current address that was issued at
least 12 months prior to enrollment.
b) Lease or rental of residential real property with a current address signed 12
consecutive months prior to enrollment.
c) Utility bills with a current address for 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment.
d) Texas voter registration card that was issued 12 months prior to enrollment with
your current address.
e) Mailed bank statements reflecting a current address for the 12 consecutive
months prior to enrollment.
If you are basing residency on your spouse, provide one of the following additional
document:


A marriage license proving one year of marriage
If you filed jointly, the last two tax returns.
If you are basing residency on a parent or legal guardian, provide the following additional
documents:


A birth certificate proving you are eligible to be claimed as a dependent on a parent’s
federal income tax or a copy of the parent or legal guardian’s federal income tax return
that list the dependents claimed for that year.
If the parent or legal guardian is not a U.S. citizen, an original Resident Alien Card is an
essential part of proof of residency.
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If you, a spouse or parent/legal guardian own a business in the state of Texas
(without the intention of liquidation in the foreseeable future) for the 12
consecutive months prior to enrollment, provide the following documents.
*All residency documents must be received and approved by certification date of the semester
in which you are enrolling.
Provide one of the following documents to prove In-State Residency:


Taxpayer ID #. We will review your franchise tax account status at
https://mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/Index.html
Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss from Business tax form. We require tax returns
from the past two years.
Provide one of the following documents if you live in Dallas County:





Current utility bill
Valid Texas driver’s license or Texas ID card with current address
Lease or rental of residential real property
Current pay stub with home address
Current mailed bank statement
If you are basing residency on your spouse, provide one of the following additional
document:


A marriage license proving one year of marriage
If you filed jointly, the last two tax returns.
If you are basing residency on a parent or legal guardian, provide the following additional
documents:


A birth certificate proving you are eligible to be claimed as a dependent on a parent’s
federal income tax or a copy of the parent or legal guardian’s federal income tax return
that list the dependents claimed for that year.
If the parent or legal guardian is not a U.S. citizen, an original Resident Alien Card is an
essential part of proof of residency.
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If you, a spouse or parent/legal guardian have been gainfully employed in
Texas for the 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment, provide the
following documents.
*All residency documents must be received and approved by certification date of the semester
in which you are enrolling.
Provide one of the following documents to prove In-State Residency:

An employment letter from a Texas company with the following information:
a) On company letterhead with current date
b) Employee’s full name and address
c) *Dates of employment (start/end dates or presently employed)
d) Number of hours worked per week (if less than 20 hours then the letter needs to
state salary)
e) Name, signature, title and contact information (phone number, address) of
person verifying employment.
* You may need to get more than one employment letter to document the full 12
months.

12 consecutive months of pay stubs or 12 consecutive months of automatic payroll
deposits into a bank account with the following information:
a) Company’s Name and Address
b) Employee’s full name
c) Number of hours worked per week
d) Pay Periods
Provide one of the following documents if you live in Dallas County:





Current utility bill
Valid Texas driver’s license or Texas ID card with current address
Lease or rental of residential real property
Current pay stub with home address
Current mailed bank statement
If you are basing residency on your spouse, provide one of the following additional
document:


A marriage license proving one year of marriage
If you filed jointly, the last two tax returns.
If you are basing residency on a parent or legal guardian, provide the following additional
documents:
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

A birth certificate proving you are eligible to be claimed as a dependent on a parent’s
federal income tax or a copy of the parent or legal guardian’s federal income tax return
that list the dependents claimed for that year.
If the parent or legal guardian is not a U.S. citizen, an original Resident Alien Card is an
essential part of proof of residency.
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If you, a spouse or parent/legal guardian received primary support from a
social service for the 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment provide the
following documents.
*All residency documents must be received and approved by certification date of the semester
in which you are enrolling.
Provide one of the following documents to prove In-State Residency:

Letter from one or more social service agency in Texas that documents that you
received services/provisions for the 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment. The letter
must document the following:
a) On letterhead of agency with current date
b) Your full name and address
c) *Dates of service
d) Signed by authorized agent of the agency
*You may need to get a letter from multiple social service agencies to document
12 full months
Provide one of the following documents if you live in Dallas County:





Current utility bill
Valid Texas driver’s license or Texas ID card with current address
Lease or rental of residential real property
Current pay stub with home address
Current mailed bank statement
If you are basing residency on your spouse, provide one of the following additional
document:


A marriage license proving one year of marriage
If you filed jointly, the last two tax returns.
If you are basing residency on a parent or legal guardian, provide the following additional
documents:


A birth certificate proving you are eligible to be claimed as a dependent on a parent’s
federal income tax or a copy of the parent or legal guardian’s federal income tax return
that list the dependents claimed for that year.
If the parent or legal guardian is not a U.S. citizen, an original Resident Alien Card is an
essential part of proof of residency.
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