What is Lawful Presence Verification?
Lawful Presence Verification (LPV) verifies that the student is in the country legally. It is required of every student who is classified as a resident (in-state) student or receiving an out-of-state tuition waiver in accordance with BOR Policy 4.3.4 (“Each University System institution shall verify the lawful presence in the United States of every successfully admitted person applying for resident tuition status…and of every person admitted to an institution…”). Documents submitted for LPV will also be applied to the USG Legal Name Verification (LNV) requirement, if necessary.
Students who require LPV will have a registration hold placed on their account (as shown in Owl Express) until their documents are received and verified. While LPV is listed on the admissions checklist (shown as either received or not received in the Pathway to Enrollment Portal), it is not required for an admission decision. It is only required to register for classes during the individual’s assigned registration time.
You may submit your documents in person at the Office of the Registrar, located in Kennesaw Hall, or online by using the Lawful Presence and Legal Name Verification Submission Form. Please submit your information only once and allow our office up to 6 weeks to process and verify your documents. We will reach out to the email you provide on the form if additional information is needed. Once we process your documents, we will remove the registration hold on your Owl Express account, and your checklist item in the Pathway to Enrollment portal will be marked as complete.
If you are not classified as in-state or receiving an out-of-state tuition waiver, please review and submit documentation to satisfy the Legal Name Verification requirement.
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. This process may take upwards of 4-6 weeks.
- 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.
- 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.
- A 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; must be able to see all portions of the required pages or card.
- Must contain the signature page (with signature) and data page of the passport book; A parent signature or indication student did not personally sign will not be accepted.
- For passport cards, the front and back of card is required, no exceptions.
- 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
- 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
- Military ID cards cannot be photocopied due to Federal Regulations; the card must be reviewed in person with the information recorded by Registrar Staff.
- 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.
- Permanent Resident card
- Front and back required.
- Unexpired at the time the student starts KSU.
- Clear copy visibly able to see all portions of the card.
- Current passport and I-551 stamp may also be accepted.
- F, J or M Visa holders will have their lawful presence verified through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students must complete their iStart check-in and be approved by the International Student Scholar Services.
- Students admitted on a status that is considered lawfully present will have their lawful presence verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program. This is completed by a member of the tuition classification team in the Office of the Registrar.
- Many statuses are not considered lawfully present including but not limited to DACA, Pending Asylum, B visas, expired visas, etc.
Document Submission Portal
Documentation may be mailed, hand delivered, or submitted digitally to the portal:
Submission Portal
If you have any questions, please contact us at:
Office of the Registrar
585 Cobb Avenue NW
Room 1533, MD 0116
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phones Hours:
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
470-578-2799
Email: lpv@kennesaw.edu
We can accept the front and back of driver’s licenses or state ID cards from the following states with the listed conditions:
| State | DL/ID REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE |
|---|---|
| Alabama | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Alaska | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Arizona | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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California |
The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Colorado | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Delaware |
The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| District of Columbia | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Florida | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Georgia | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Idaho | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Iowa | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Kentucky | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Louisiana | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Maryland | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| State | DL/ID REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE |
|---|---|
| Missouri | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Montana | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Nevada | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| North Carolina |
The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Ohio | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Oklahoma | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| South Carolina | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Tennessee | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Texas | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Utah | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Vermont | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Virginia |
The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Wisconsin | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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| Wyoming | The unexpired card must meet all of the following:
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