Required Residency Documentation
Click here for a printable checklist of all required documentation.
This required document, provided by the Board of Regents, needs to be filled out legibly in ink and signed by the petitioner. The last page includes the following:
- Tax Exemption Affidavit – Both parents/legal guardians need to sign this form in front of a notary public. Required if the student is younger than 24 years of age or was claimed as a dependent on their parent’s most recent tax filing.
- Employment Affidavit – Please see Board of Regent’s Policy 940.1, section I.1.(b). Required for petitioners who are currently employed in a full-time permanent, non-remote position that brought them to Montana.
If an individual has a driver’s license and/or identification card in another state, they will need to obtain A Montana Driver’s License or Identification Card to cut that tie. Driver's License and/or Identification Cards can be obtained through the Montana Vehicle Department, an appointment can be made here: https://dojmt.gov/driving/.
The 12-month period does not run for any period in which the person maintains legal ties to another state or country such as a driver’s license, vehicle registration, voter registration, or tax liability, regardless of the person’s reasons for establishing or maintaining such ties. An individual seeking in-state status would need to have established legal ties on or before the 15th class day of the semester in which they begin the residency process.
If the dependent student and their parents/legal guardians have registered to vote in another state, they will need to obtain new voter status in the State of Montana to cut that tie. Voter registration proof must contain the issue date. A Certificate of Registration can be obtained from the Voter Registration / County Election Office, which is located at 311 W Main St, Room 210, Bozeman, MT in the old Court House. Please note, a Certificate of Registration CANNOT be obtained online or through the mail.
The 12-month period does not run for any period in which the person maintains legal ties to another state or country such as a driver’s license, vehicle registration, voter registration, or tax liability, regardless of the person’s reasons for establishing or maintaining such ties. An individual seeking in-state status would need to have established legal ties on or before the 15th class day of the semester in which they begin the residency process.
Any vehicle operated by the petitioner (student) must be registered in the state of Montana.
New residents must apply for a Montana vehicle title and register their vehicles within 60 days of establishing residency.
Non-Residents, under § 61-3-701 through 704, MCA non-residents who are gainfully employed in Montana must present their current out-of-state vehicle registration to the county treasurer’s office. Taxes or fees in lieu of taxes are due, along with appropriate registration fees (U.S. funds only). Non-residents may choose to register by the calendar quarter. The vehicle must display the license plate or decal from both its home state and from Montana.
This information was taken directly from the Montana Department of Motor Vehicles website: https://dojmt.gov/driving/vehicle-title-and-registration/#generalregistrationinfo. Also, please review Montana Code Annotated 2021, Title 61. Motor Vehicles, Chapter 3. Certificates of Title, Registration, and Taxation of Motor Vehicles, Part 7. Registration of Foreign Vehicles, §61-3-701-704.
The 12-month period does not run for any period in which the person maintains legal ties to another state or country such as a driver’s license, vehicle registration, voter registration, or tax liability, regardless of the person’s reasons for establishing or maintaining such ties. An individual seeking in-state status would need to have established legal ties on or before the 15th class day of the semester in which they begin the residency process.
Provide a copy of your bank statement or a voided check or deposit slip from your personal checkbook showing your Montana mailing address. It is not required to be a bank in Montana.
To verify the Montana Board of regents 51% financial independence requirement, submit your most recent paystub(s) for the current year from all jobs held, showing your year-to-date gross earnings.
To verify the Montana Board of regents 51% financial independence requirement, submit your most recent resident Montana tax return. If you did not earn enough to file a Montana tax return or are having difficulty obtaining your tax returns, please reach out to the Montana Department of Revenue at 406-444-6900 for assistance.
During the 12 months of gaining in-state classification, the person seeking in-state status must file any required resident Montana tax returns for all taxable income earned during the period in which residency is claimed.
Information showing what you were awarded and what you accepted for the academic school year. This link is located at the bottom of the award page in MyInfo, if you cannot find it let us know.
Both parents/legal guardians need to sign this form in front of a notary public. Required if the student is younger than 24 years of age or was claimed as a dependent on their parent’s most recent tax filing.
Employment Affidavit – Please see Board of Regent’s Policy 940.1, section I.1.(b). Required for petitioners who are currently employed in a full-time permanent, non-remote position that brought them to Montana.
Your principal residence (also known as a primary residence) is your home. Whether it’s a house, condo or townhome, if you live there for the majority of the year and can prove it, it’s your principal residence. Proof that demonstrates evidence of intent, as specified by the residency statute, includes ownership of a principal residence in Montana. Evidence of intent to make Montana your permanent home and legal residence is demonstrated by giving up all your legal ties with your prior state and establishing them with Montana for 12 continuous months.