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.
Continuing UB Students
UB students currently classified as in-state do not need to verify residency if moving from one degree program to another without a break in attendance.
New Graduate/Professional Students
Admitted students who upload acceptable documents 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 at 716-645-1800 for information about the residency appeal process.
Exceptions (Special Circumstances) to the Durational Requirement
Students in the categories below may be eligible for an expedited residency verification process. Additional information is available from the Office of Student Accounts.
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:
Must list New York State address.
Issue Date must be at least 12 months prior to when student will begin classes (i.e., if your classes begin January 2023, issue date must show January 2022).
Must be valid, not expired.
Cannot accept paper interim licenses.
Examples include: gas, electric, phone bill, NYS bank account, credit card, auto loan and insurance policy (e.g., 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 a PDF of a regular printed or electronic statement. Screen shots of online applications will not be accepted.
For service statement, cannot be any UB-related service statements, such as campus housing or student loans.
Multiple different utility and/or service statements are acceptable.
If deed is in spouse's name, you must also submit a marriage certificate.
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.
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.
NYS IT-201 Resident Income Tax Return form.
Should be most recent completed 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 and Part-Year Resident Tax Return form.
Should be most recent completed tax year and not an older year.
Page 1, section G. Date moved to NYS must be 12 months prior to when student will begin classes.
Must be dated within one year of enrollment.
Documentation of receipt of public assistance from New York State or from a city, county or municipal agency in New York State.