Establishing a Domicile

The following documents can be submitted, which may support the establishment of a domicile in Texas.

  1. Significant Gainful Employment. An employer’s statement of dates of employment in Texas (beginning and current or ending dates) that include at least 12 consecutive months prior to the census date of the term in which the person enrolls or pay stubs for 12 consecutive months prior to the census date, reflecting significant gainful employment in Texas or proof of other earned income such as pensions, veterans’ benefits, social security, and savings from previous earnings for 12 consecutive months prior to the census date. However,  employment conditioned on student status, such as college work study, stipends fellowships, or research or teaching assistantships does not constitute gainful employment for purposes of establishing a domicile.

    For a person unemployed and living on public assistance, written statements from one or more social service agencies located in Texas that attest to the provision of services to the person for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the census date of the term in which the person enrolls.
  2. Residential Real Property. Sole or joint ownership of residential property in Texas with documentation to verify 12 consecutive months of ownership prior to the census date of the term in which the person enrolls, such as a Warranty Deed, with the person or dependent’s parent having established and maintained domicile at that residence.
  3. Marriage to Person Who has Established and Maintained Domicile in Texas. Marriage Certificate or Declaration of Registration of Informal Marriage with documentation to support that spouse has established and maintained domicile in Texas for the 12 consecutive months prior to the census date of the term in which the person enrolls.
  4. Ownership of a Business Entity in Texas. Documents that support the organization of the business in Texas that reflect the ownership interest of the person or dependent’s parent without intention of liquidation in the near future.