<p>Alright here is the case. I have been living in Hawaii for about 6 years now. I was originally born in Fresno, California. I lived in Japan for 7 years after California and before coming to Hawaii. </p>
<p>My family is a military family so as you all can understand, we moved a lot. </p>
<p>So heres my problem.</p>
<p>My dad has been claiming california residency when he files for taxes, but my mom has been claiming Hawaii. As far as we know we have never done anything to change my residency status to Hawaii. I do however go to high school here in Hawaii and I have a provisional drivers license (not a full license till tomorrow). Can I still claim to be a California resident since I haven't "Officially" changed my residency status?</p>
<p>What can I do?</p>
<p>Being a California resident would be very advantageous for me because I plan to go to college somewhere in California. </p>
<p>
[quote]
To be considered a California resident for purposes of fees, an out-of-state student must have lived in California for more than one year preceding the residence determination date, relinquish residence in other states, show an intent to establish residency in California and demonstrate financial independence.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You fail on the first aspect (living in Cali for one year), and possibly the second (relinquishing residence in other states).</p>
<p>I think you should possibly contact a school that you're considering about this matter. :)</p>
<p>If your Dad is the one in the military, he can stay a Cal. resident for years and file taxes there no matter where he is stationed. (Is Calif. tax less than Hawaii?)
But your parents' residency doesn't matter. You are a Hawaii resident. There is no way to officially change residency except by living somewhere else for a while. You have satisfied Hawaii that you are their resident and have acquired a driver's license, etc. You probably have a Hawaii bank account and other ties to Hawaii. What are your ties to California? What documents do you have saying you've been living in California? A bank statement, utility bill, your personal tax return, transcripts, etc. would help.
In short, you have really had no claim to California residency for many years.
Many people are born in some other state, have lived in some state for a decade or so, have all of their relatives from some state, etc. with much better claims than yours but still aren't current residents. Unless there is some exception for military dependents, forget it. It isn't fair for you to try to cheat the California public.</p>
<p>There's no need to point fingers here, I feel a little insulted honestly.</p>
<p>This isn't a matter of me trying to trick the University. My family is a military family, we have been moving around for my whole life. Do you think if I had a choice I'd move to Japan and live in a country that I'm so unfamiliar with? Was it really my choice? Am I to blame? If I could I would've stayed in California where I was born, its a shame that I know so very little about the place I was born in. I've lived in isolated places for my whole life. </p>
<p>If my father can claim California Residency since he is in the military, why can't I? I mean don't I suffer from the constant moving as much as he does? Even though it says I've lived in Japan for 7 years and in Hawaii for 6 years I still have been constantly moving in and out of these places. </p>
<p>How can I call any one place home where I can't even claim that I have really good friends that I grew up with? </p>
<p>I was merely trying to see if I could still claim California Residency since my Father can. If he can reap the benefits of a state he doesn't live in why cant his children who follow him around wherever he goes. Yea he serves the country, but I serve my father by following him around like a tail, so in essence the family of military personnel serve the country as well. Should I not be able to get some sort of benefit even if not a little?</p>
<p>The point of this post was to find out what my residency is since I am from a military family who cannot call any one place home. If you were in my situation you would understand, but hey your not. If you could save money you would as well, being military also means not being rich. I don't have the luxury of money. </p>
<p>My father pays California taxes, hes as much a part of the California Public as anyone else from California as far as tax payers money is concerned. I'am his son. </p>
<p>My writing probably doesn't make complete sense because I am just so bothered with being accused of trying to "trick" the California Public.</p>
<p>Welcome to the Internet, where everybody just says whatever the heck they want.</p>
<p>I think the best thing to do is to contact University of California directly, explain your situation and see what they say. It's a complicated situation, and none of us here will be able to give you an answer that you can count on.</p>
<p>It is quite possible that you could be considered a California resident, because dependent students' residency often follows that of their parents. If dad is a California resident, you may be as well.</p>
<p>"It is quite possible that you could be considered a California resident, because dependent students' residency often follows that of their parents. If dad is a California resident, you may be as well."</p>
<p>This is correct. My father moved to California when I was a baby and my mother stayed in Louisiana with my siblings and I. I had California residence for college purposes. All I had to do was have a valid California drivers license before I turned 18. I'm not quite sure if it's the same in your situation since your dad doesn't actually reside in the state, but if he's still legally a resident there's a chance that you are as well. At least for tuition purposes.</p>