The table below lists the documentation needed to certify your dependents' eligibility for benefits.
When you add a dependent to your benefits, that election is incomplete until the required certification documents are received.
You have 31 days from your hire date or qualified life event to upload, fax or mail dependent certification documentation to Stanford Benefits. If Stanford Benefits does not receive the required dependent documentation within 31 days, your dependent will not be covered. If documentation is received after the 31 days, coverage will be effective as of the date the documentation is received.
Certifying dependents during Open Enrollment: You have until Jan. 31 in the new plan year to provide certification documents. Note: In January 2020, California will recognize domestic partnerships as all couples consisting of any two people, regardless of gender, over 18 years old, dropping the age 62 requirement for opposite-sex partners. If you are enrolling previously ineligible partners and dependents during Open Enrollment, you can begin registering with the state on Jan. 1 and have until Jan. 31, 2020, to provide dependent verification documentation.
Upload Documentation:
Upload your documentation by logging in to My Benefits and use the Upload Documents tool.
Mail:
Stanford Benefits
P.O. Box 3190
Bellaire, TX 77402
Fax:
866-539-0431
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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
Most recent state (joint) tax return |
|
| Children up to age 26 |
|
|
|
| Stepchild(ren) up to age 26 | Birth certificate and marriage certificate |
|
|
|
Adopted child(ren) up to age 26 |
|
n/a |
|
|
Child(ren) up to age 26 for whom you are a legal guardian |
|
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
Children up to age 26 for whom your registered domestic partner is the legal guardian |
|
|
|
| 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 |
|
| 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 |
Note: This audit verifies only dependent eligibility. Your medical carrier determines the child's disability status. |
Most recent state tax return |
|
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.
