Office of the Registrar

Residency

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Overview

For University of Washington students to be considered residents for tuition purposes, they first must be able to prove that they are U.S. citizens, have U.S. permanent resident cards, or have a qualifying visa (A, E, G, H1, I, K or L).

To be classified or reclassified as residents, for tuition and fee purposes, students must establish a bona fide domicile in the state of Washington primarily for purposes other than education for the period of one year immediately prior to classification as residents.

Nonresident students who are enrolled for more than 6 credits a quarter will be presumed to be in the state of Washington for primarily educational purposes. Such period of enrollment shall not be counted toward the establishment of a bona fide domicile of one year in this state unless the students prove they have, in fact, established a bona fide domicile in this state primarily for purposes other than education.

Deadlines for Residency

Applications must be submitted no later than the 30th day of the quarter in accordance with WAC 250-18-025.

  • Autumn 2024: October 24, 2024
  • Winter 2025: February 4, 2025
  • Spring 2025: April 29, 2025
  • Summer 2025: July 22, 2025

How and when is a student’s residency status determined? 

A student’s initial residence classification is set during the admissions process based upon information provided on the student’s admission application.  Often, residency is more than simply being present in the state. If a student is classified as a non-resident when they are admitted and believes that they qualify as a resident for tuition purposes, they must file a residency application with the Office of the Registrar for verification. 

For Transfer Students: Your Washington State community and technical colleges (CTCs) and university residency status does not transfer to other CTCs and Washington State universities when you apply for admission and are admitted.

Applying for Residency

There are three ways a student may qualify to apply for residency for tuition purposes as a bona fide resident.  (Military connected students who do not meet the below should review options for military residency).

Residency Affidavit

Students qualify for residency if they meet all of the following conditions:

  1. Received a high school diploma (or equivalent).
  2. Maintain a primary residence in Washington for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before your first term at the University of Washington Bothell. The Washington residence must be for purposes other than college. If you take any courses at another Washington college during the prior 12 months, you cannot have taken more than six credits in any given term. If you exceed that limit you must prove that you have a Washington residence for non-college reasons.
  3. Affirm that they are a U.S. citizen, 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 of the above criteria should complete and submit the updated Washington Higher Education Residency Affidavit. Note: Please sign the form in ink or provide an Adobe Signature. If you have already completed the WASFA application, you do not need to submit this duplicated affidavit.

Residency Questionnaire

Residence Questionnaire: Financially Dependent Students – for financially dependent students with a parent who has met Washington residency requirements.

Residence Questionnaire: Financially Independent Students – for financially independent students who have met Washington residency requirements.  

To be classified or reclassified as a resident, for tuition and fee purposes, a student must establish a bona fide domicile in the state of Washington primarily for purposes other than educational for the period of one year immediately prior to classification as a resident.

For More Information and Questions

UW Guide – Understanding Washington State Residency

Send a question to a UW Bothell Residency adviser at uwbreg@uw.edu.

Where to Submit Residency Documents

Please submit completed documents by combining into one PDF and emailing to the Office of the Registration: uwbreg@uw.edu.

If you would like to bring completed documents in-person:

UW Bothell Registrar
University of Washington, Bothell
Office of the Registrar
Box 358501
17927 113th Ave NE
Bothell, WA 98011

Parents and Relatives

Staff of the Residence Classification Office will be unable to discuss a student’s residency status or application with a parent or relative due to federal and state privacy laws and office policy. Students should schedule an appointment.

Office Information

Office of the Registrar:
Summit Hall, Lower Level 
(425) 352-5000
uwbreg@uw.edu

Mailing Address:
Box 358501
17927 113th Ave NE
Bothell, WA 98011

Office Hours at Summit Hall:
Monday – Friday
9am – 4pm

Phone Hours:
Monday – Friday:
9am – 4pm