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Certify Dependents for Benefits Coverage

The table below lists the documentation needed to certify your dependents' eligibility for benefits.

You have 30 days from the date you add your dependent to fax or mail documentation to Stanford Benefits. Include your Stanford ID number on each document you submit.

Mail:
Stanford Benefits
P.O. Box 199747
Dallas, TX 75219-9747

Fax:
(855) 818-3246

Certify Your Dependents for Benefits Coverage

View a printable version of this table

Dependent's Relationship to You Preferred Documentation Alternate Documentation Document Resources
Spouse, same or opposite sex (unless legally separated) Marriage certificate
  1. Most recent state (joint) tax return; or
  2. Most recent visa document; and
    • Related legal document that establishes dependent relationship
  • County Clerk/Recorder
  • State Vital Records
  • Personal tax filing records
  • U.S. State Department
Registered domestic partner State of California Declaration of Domestic Partnership Certificate Most recent California state (joint) tax return State of California website

Common Law spouse
  1. Affidavit;
  2. Declaration of Common Law Marriage; or
  3. Other state legal affidavits or declarations
 Most recent state (joint) tax return
  • County Clerk/Recorder
  • State Vital Records
Natural children up to age 26
  1. Birth certificate; or
  2. Hospital issued certificate of live birth (for newborns added within 31 days of birth)
  1. Most recent state tax return;
  2. Hospital certificate of live birth;
  3. Most recent visa documents; and
  • Related legal documents that establish dependent relationship and birth date; or
  • Legal documents that establish dependent relationship and DNA test results as evidence of family relationships
  • County Clerk/Recorder
  • State Vital Records
  • Personal tax filing records
  • U.S. State Department
Stepchild(ren) up to age 26 Birth certificate and marriage certificate
  1. Most recent state (joint) tax return;
  2. Most recent visa document; and
  • Related legal documents that establish dependent relationship and birth date
  • County Clerk/Recorder
  • State Vital Records
  • Personal tax filing records
  • U.S. State Department

Adopted child(ren) up to age 26
  1. Birth certificate;
  2. Final adoption decree;
  3. Placement letter from court; or
  4. Adoption agency for pending adoption(s)
 n/a
  • County Clerk/Recorder
  • State Vital Records
  • U.S. State Department

 Child(ren) up to age 26 for whom you are a legal guardian
  1. Court assignment; or
  2. Agency order establishing legal guardianship; and
  • Related legal documents that establish relationship and birth date
  1. Most recent state (joint) tax return;
  2. Most recent visa document; and
  • Related legal documents that establish dependent relationship and birth date
Child(ren) up to age 26 of your registered domestic partner, who depend on your support and lives with you in a regular parent/child relationship State of California Declaration of Domestic Partnership Certificate and birth certificate
  1. Most recent California state (joint) tax return;
  2. Most recent visa document; and
  • Related legal documents that establish dependent relationship and birth date

Adopted child(ren) up to age 26 of your registered domestic partner, who depend on your support and live with you in a regular parent/child relationship
  1. State of California Declaration of Domestic Partnership Certificate; and birth certificate;
  2. Final adoption decree; or
  3. Placement letter from court or adoption agency for pending adoptions
  1. Most recent California state (joint) tax return; or
  2. Most recent visa document; and
  • Related legal documents that establish dependent relationship and birth date

Children up to age 26 for whom your registered domestic partner is the legal guardian
  1. State of California Declaration of Domestic Partnership Certificate; and
  • Birth certificate and court assignment; or
  • Agency order establishing legal guardianship
  1. Most recent California state (joint) tax return; or
  2. Most recent visa document; and
  • Related legal documents that establish dependent relationship and birth date
Child(ren) up to age 26 for whom the court has issues a Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO) Qualified Child Support Order (QMCSO). If already submitted to Stanford, indicate to whom it was sent. n/a
  • County Clerk/Recorder
  • State Vital Records
Unmarried children age 26 or over if dependent on your for primary financial support and maintenance due to a physical or mental disability, incapable of self-support and disability existed before age 19
  1. Birth certificate
  2. Other document supporting the relationship; and
  • Proof of the disability from your child's medical plan.

Note: This audit verifies only dependent eligibility. Your medical carrier determines the child's disability status.

 Most recent state tax return
  • County Clerk/Recorder
  • State Vital Records
  • Personal tax filing records
  • U.S. State Department

View a printable version of this table

Important Notes

  • You are responsible for providing any necessary translation of documents in a foreign language to English.
  • If you have dependents that do not live with you at your home address, you need to contact the health plan prior to enrolling to verify if they live within the covered service area.