The 2 year requirement is to be considered independent for financial aid purposes, not residency:
Unmarried undergraduates from other states qualify as financially independent if they were not claimed by their parents or others as dependents for tax purposes for two preceding tax years and if their annual income is sufficient to meet their needs.
After 1 year the OP can be considered a resident (see below) and pay cheaper tuition, but if applying for financial aid will have to submit financial information for their parents until they are deemed independent.
Applicants 19 years of age or older by the residence determination date are considered adults for residency purposes. To be eligible for resident status adult students must maintain a physical presence in California, show intent to make California his or her permanent home and/or maintain proper immigration status for one year prior to September 20 for the fall semester, and one year prior to January 25 for the spring semester.
Evidence of intent to make California one’s permanent home may include, but is not limited to:
<pre><code>* California voter registration and voting in California elections.
- California driver’s license.
- California automobile registration.
- California State income tax obligations on total income.
- Ownership of residential property or continuous occupancy or renting of an apartment on a lease basis where your personal belongings are kept.
- Active savings and/or checking accounts in a California bank.
- Immigration status with legal capacity to establish California residency.
- Maintaining a permanent military address and home of record in California.
- Military leave and earning statements showing California as legal residence.
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