Lawful Presence Verification (LPV) verifies that the student is legally in the country. It is required of every student who is classified as a Resident (in-state) student and/or receiving an out-of-state tuition waiver in accordance with BOR Policy 4.3.4.

BOR Policy 4.3.4: “University System institution shall verify the lawful presence in the United States of every successfully admitted person applying for resident tuition status (in-state tuition).

Students are also required to submit Legal Name Verification to show that legal name matches their government ID. This requirement can be satisfied with the same documentation you submit for Lawful Presence Verification. Therefore, we will take care of both requirements at the same time as we process your submission. You do not need to submit it twice unless we tell you that we have a concern with your submission.

Failure to confirm legal presence by the first day of classes will result in an out-of-state residency classification and out-of-state fees will be assessed.

How can a Student Verify Lawful Presence?

  • Students who file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and are eligible for federal student aid can have their lawful presence verified as part of the FAFSA process.

  • Driver license/State ID cards (See BOR requirements)
    • The front and back of the card is required, no exceptions.
    • Issued by one of the states in the chart below that meets the parameters listed for that state.
    • Must contain the REAL ID star. Visit the Georgia Department of Driver Services for information on how to obtain a Real ID
      compliant license/state ID card.
    • Unexpired.
    • Clear copy visibly able to see all portions of the front and back of the card.
    • Temporary and Limited Term licenses are not accepted.
    • Limited Permits and licenses issued for less than 2 years are not accepted
  • U.S. Birth Certificate or Amended Birth Certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency in the student’s state of birth (including U.S. territories and the District of Columbia)
    • Must be a clear and legible copy of the original or certified copy.
    • Clearly show the raised, stamped, or written seal. The seal is often on the back of the birth certificate. 
    • Amended US Birth Certificate, US Certificate of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Birth Abroad, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad also accepted. 
    • Puerto Rican birth certificate must confirm the document was issued by the General Vital Statistics Office of Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Department of Health) on or after July 1, 2010.
    • Birth certificates from other countries that are not a US territory will not be accepted.
    • You can visit the VitalChek website for instructions for ordering a certified U.S. birth certificate.
  • A U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (USCIS form N-550 or N-570).
    • Clear copy visibly able to see all portions of the page. 
    • Must have the student’s signature.
  •  U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (USCIS form N-560 or N-561).
    • Clear copy visibly able to see all portions of the page. 
    • Must have the student’s signature.
  • US passport or US passport card
    • Unexpired.
    • Clear copy visibly able to see all portions of the required pages or card.
    • Must contain the signature page and data page with signature of the passport book.
    • Front and back of the passport card.
  • Georgia Voter ID card (See BOR requirements)
    • The front and back of the card is required. 
    • Clear copy visibly able to see all portions of the card.
    • Unexpired. 
    • Must contain a Real ID star.
    • No other state is permitted.
    • This is not the same as a precinct voter registration card.  
  • A current or retiree military ID card 
    • It cannot be a dependent card.
    • It cannot have a blue or green bar on the card. 
    • Clear copy visibly able to see all portions of the card.
    • Unexpired. 
    • Military ID cards cannot be photocopied so the card must be reviewed in person with the information recorded on the Confirmation of Review of Military ID worksheet.
  • Permanent Resident card 
    • Unexpired at the time the student starts EGSC.
    • Clear copy visibly able to see all portions of the card.
    • Front and back required. 

For an F-1 international student, we will verify your lawful presence through SEVIS. As this is already part of the immigration process there are no additional steps required to have your Citizenship Verification Hold removed. Simply comply with the requirements outlined by the Office of Admissions as you prepare to arrive at East Georgia State College.

All nonresident alien students on some sort of visa will need to submit immigration documents verifying their lawful status to the Office of Admissions. Such documents may include an I-94 card, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) approval notice or receipt notice, or other documentation confirming the student is in lawful visa status.

Students in Deferred Action (DACA) status do not qualify for in state tuition based on Board of Regents Policy 4.3.2.3 and will be required to submit a Lawful Presence Opt-out form (PDF).