Verifying New York State Residency

In accordance with SUNY policy, the University at Buffalo will verify initial residency status during the admissions process.  Admitted graduate and professional students will be deemed out-of-state residents for tuition purposes until supporting documentation is provided to verify New York State (NYS) residency. 

Verification Process

Newly admitted students claiming permanent domicile in New York State for 12 months or more at the time of application will be asked to upload three supporting documents to verify residency, prior to initial enrollment. Deadlines and instructions will be emailed by the admitting academic program.

Admitted students who upload acceptable documents by the deadline will be billed as resident (in-state) students on their first-semester eBill. Students who upload unacceptable documents, or who do not respond by program deadlines, will initially be billed at the out-of-state tuition rate. Please contact UB Student Accounts (phone: 716-645-1800) for information about the residency appeal process.

NYS High School Graduates & Active Duty Service Members or Veterans

Students in the categories below may be eligible for an expedited residency verification process. Additional information is available from the Office of Student Accounts:

Continuing UB Students

UB students currently classified as in-state need not verify residency if moving from one degree program to another without a break in attendance.

NYS Residency Supporting Documents

Provide three documents from the following list as proof of permanent NYS domicile.  All documents must be in the student’s name.

Acceptable documents include:

  1. New York State driver’s license or New York State non-driver identification card
    • Must list New York state address
    • Issue Date must be at least 12 months prior to when student will begin classes
    • Must be valid, not expired
    • Cannot accept paper interim licenses 
  2. Utility and/or Service statements
    • Examples include: gas, electric, phone bill, NYS bank account, credit card, auto loan, and insurance policy (homeowners/renters/auto)
    • Statement must have student’s name and NYS address listed
    • Statement must have dates that are 12 months prior to when student will begin classes (this could also be satisfied by two statements that show a span of 12 months.)
    • Must be PDF of a regular printed or electronic statement. Screen shots of online apps will not be accepted.
  3. Proof of ownership of New York State real property (deed)
    • If deed is in your spouse’s name, you must also submit a marriage certificate. 
  4. Residential lease for property in New York State
    • Student must be listed as one of the tenants. If lease is in your spouse’s name, you must also submit a marriage certificate.
    • Must be signed and dated by landlord and tenant, showing student has been residing there for at least 12 months prior.
    • The NYS property address must be listed on the lease.
    • Must include term or effective dates, or state “month to month” rent.
    • If lease expires prior to first day of classes, you must also provide the renewal lease to demonstrate intent to stay in NYS.
    • UB leased apartments on university property are considered permanent housing, (e.g. Creekside Village, Hadley Village, South Lake Village, Flint Village and Flickinger Court), but on-campus residence halls are not.
  5. New York State motor vehicle registration
    • Must be in student’s name and list NYS address.
    • Must show issue date or effective date that is at least 12 months prior to when student will begin classes
    • Must be valid, not expired
  6. New York State income tax returns 
    •  NYS IT 201 State Tax return for residents
      • Should be most recent completed tax year, and not an older year
      • Must be signed and dated by student, even if a preparer has signed it.
      • Must be dated 12 months prior to when student will begin classes.
    •  NYS IT 203 Nonresident or part-year resident tax return form
      • Should be most recent completed tax year, and not an older year
      • Page 1 G., date moved to NYS must be 12 months prior to when student will begin classes
  7. New York State voter registration card 
    • Must be dated within one year of enrollment