Affidavit of Residency - Office of the University Registrar

Washington Higher Education Residency Affidavit

November 26, 2025 UPDATE: For Winter quarter 2026 forward, students using a degree from a Washington high school completion program to overcome educational presumption must show that they were enrolled in primarily high-school level courses (sub-100 course number) for at least one year. Students may be enrolled in college-level courses during this time, but these courses must account for less-than 7 credits per term during this time period.

Residency Affidavit requirements

Students may qualify for residency, using the affidavit, if ALL the following conditions are met:

Student received a high school diploma (or equivalent) from anywhere. This does not have be issued by a school in Washington state.
Student maintained their primary residence in Washington for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before their first term at the college determining residency. The Washington residence must be for purposes other than college.
Students who take any courses at another Washington college during the prior 12 months cannot have taken more than six credits in any given term. Students who exceed that limit must prove that they have a Washington residence for non-college reasons.
Student will affirm they are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or that they will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States as soon as they are eligible to apply.

Students who meet all the stated requirements can use the updated Washington Higher Education Residency Affidavit [PDF] to request a change in residency status.

Beginning Winter 2026, students will utilize the Residency Portal to complete this form; the PDF will no longer be accepted.

Students do not need to submit any supporting paperwork with the Residency Affidavit. The determination for the affidavit is based off of information provided on one’s application to the University of Washington. However, we may request additional information if University records contain information that indicates a student might not meet the requirements of the affidavit.

WAFSA: Students who applied or will apply for state financial aid using the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WAFSA), do not need to submit the affidavit form. The affidavit is part of the WAFSA.

Submit the Residency Affidavit

Residency Affidavits are only submitted through the portal based on the specific quarter of application.
Residency Affidavits may only be submitted during the corresponding Application period.
Residency Affidavits may not be submitted via email, fax, postal mail, in-person, or other method.

University of Washington Bothell and University of Washington Tacoma students should review submission instructions for their respective campus. Students who apply to multiple campuses must submit an affidavit to each campus.