Dependent Verification Documents
This page applies to both employees and retirees. For more information about the process, see:
Documents Preparation
- IMPORTANT: Do not alter your original documents.
- Make a copy of the document and remove all financial information, account numbers, and Social Security numbers first!
- You can use a thick marker or white out pen to remove the information.
- Take a photo (jpg file) or a scan (PDF file) of the document.
Documents List
You will not be able to submit documents until January 13, 2025. We will provide detailed instructions at that time. Use the information below to gather your documents now.
| Dependent | Verification Documents Required |
|---|---|
| Spouse living together (husband or wife) | Option 1: 2023 or 2024 federal tax return (first page only) Option 2: Marriage certificate and 2 joint financial statements within past 60 days* Option 3 (for those married within the past year): Marriage certificate |
| Spouse living separately (husband or wife) | Option 1: 2023 or 2024 federal tax return (first page only) if filing jointly or both tax returns if filing separately, showing married status with spouse’s name Option 2: Marriage certificate and 2 joint financial statements within past 60 days* |
| Domestic partner | Affidavit of Domestic Partnership and 2 joint financial statements within past 60 days* |
| Biological child** | Birth certificate |
| Stepchild** | Option 1: Birth certificate and 2023 or 2024 federal tax return Option 2: Birth certificate, marriage certificate, and 2 joint financial statements within past 60 days* |
| Domestic partner’s child** | Birth certificate, Affidavit of Domestic Partnership, and 2 joint financial statements within past 60 days |
| Adopted child** | Birth certificate or court/state issued adoption agreement |
| Grandbaby (under 18 months, parent is your dependent)** | Birth certificate showing covered dependent as parent |
| Foster child** | Court document showing employee and/or spouse listed as foster parent |
| Other child (e.g. grandchild, niece, brother)** | Court order for guardianship or legal custody, and 2023 or 2024 federal tax return (first page only) with child listed as a dependent |
| Child over age 26 with disability | Birth certificate or court/state issued adoption agreement |
| Child age 26 through 30 without disability | Birth certificate and Over-Age Dependent Child Affidavit |
* Examples of joint financial statements are a bank statement, credit card bill, auto loan statement, mortgage statement, utility bill, and automobile registration.
**Children are eligible up to end of the calendar year in which they turn 26 for medical, 25 for dental, and the day before their 26th birthday for dependent life.
Examples
Financial Documents
For documents such as your tax return or bank statement, you only need to provide the first page with name and address information.
Service Companies
If desired, for a fee, you can obtain documents such as birth and marriage certificates using service companies such as VitalChek.
Where to Find the Documents
If you don’t have the documents at home, you can obtain them using the instructions below. Be sure to allow adequate time since some records are only available through the U.S. mail.
- Birth certificate: View a directory of vital records offices at the National Center for Health Statistics. Select the state where the child was born to view the address to submit your request and the cost.
- Federal tax return: Visit the IRS website to get a copy of a previous tax return which is called a transcript. The fastest way is to select Get transcript online. Other options found on the webpage are to request it by mail or by phone at (800) 908-9946.
- Joint financial statements from past 2 months: Examples are a bank statement, credit card bill, auto loan statement, mortgage statement, utility bill, and automobile registration. The 2 statements need to have both of your names at the same address and be from different institutions or from different accounts in the same institution and be dated within the past 60 days. You can go to the bank or company website, search for recent statements, and select Print > Save as PDF for a digital file or take a photo of the document on your computer screen, as long as the photo is legible. You only need to provide the first page.
- Court records: For court records such as letters of guardianship, go to the issuing court’s website. If it is a local court, see Pinellas County Court Records, Hillsborough County Court Records, and Pasco County Court Records. For other courts, search online for their record request process (e.g. go to Google and type Frederick County Maryland court record request).
12/16/24