What Documents are Accepted to Prove I'm Eligible for a Special Enrollment Period?

Consumers who qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP) will receive a Marketplace Eligibility Determination Notice that includes a list of acceptable documents they may provide to prove their eligibility for the SEP. Examples of acceptable documents for each type of SEP that requires documentation are listed below.

SEP for Marriage: Document to Prove the Marriage

• Marriage certificate showing the date of the marriage
• Marriage license showing the date of the marriage
• An official public record of the marriage, including a foreign record of marriage
• Affidavit or statement signed by the person who officiated the marriage
• Affidavit or statement signed by a person who was an official witness to the marriage
• A religious document that recognizes the marriage

SEP for Birth: Document to Prove the Child’s Date of Birth 

• Medical record from a clinic, hospital, physician, midwife, institution, or other medical provider showing the date of birth
• Letter from hospital, clinic, physician, or other medical provider attesting the date of birth • Letter or other document from the health insurance company, like an Explanation of Benefits, showing that services related to birth or post-birth care were provided to either the child or the mother, including the dates of service
• Birth certificate or application for a birth certificate for the child
• Application for a Social Security number for the child
• A foreign birth record showing the child’s date and place of birth
• Military record showing the child’s date and place of birth
• Religious record showing the child’s date and place of birth
• Social Security card for the child SEP for Adoption, Placement for Adoption, Placement in Foster Care, or Child Support or Other Court Order: Document to Prove the Adoption, Placement for Adoption, Placement in Foster Care, or Child Support or Other Court Order
• Adoption letter or record showing date of adoption dated and signed by a court official
• Government-issued or legal document showing the date that the child was placed in the home
• Government-issued or legal document showing the date legal guardianship was established
• Court order showing the effective date of the order
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security immigration document for foreign adoptions
• Medical support order
• Foster care papers dated and signed by a court official

SEP for Permanent Move: Document(s) to Prove BOTH Previous Address and New Address

• Lease or rental agreement
• Insurance documents, like homeowner’s, renter’s, or life insurance policy or statement
• Mortgage deed, if it states that the owner uses the property as the primary residence
• Mortgage or rental payment receipt
• Mail from the Department of Motor Vehicles, like a driver’s license, vehicle registration, or change of address card
• State ID
• Official school documents, including school enrollment, ID cards, report cards, or housing documentation
• Internet, cable, or other utility bill (including any public utility like a gas or water bill) or other confirmation of service (including a utility hook up or work order)
• Telephone bill showing address (cell phone or wireless bills are acceptable)
• Mail from a government agency to your address, like a Social Security statement, or a notice from TANF or SNAP agency
• Mail from a financial institution, like a bank statement
• U.S. Postal Service change of address confirmation letter Pay stub showing address
• Letter from a current or future employer showing relocation for work
• Voter registration card showing name and address
• Moving company contract or receipt showing address
• If the consumer is living in the home of another person, like a family member, friend, or roommate, the consumer may send a letter/statement from that person stating that he or she lives with them and is not just temporarily visiting. This person must prove their own residency by including one of the documents listed above.
• Document from the Department of Corrections, jail, or prison indicating recent release or parole, including an order of parole, order of release, or an address certification
• If the consumer is homeless or in transitional housing, he or she may submit a letter or statement from another resident of the same state, stating that they know where the consumer lives and can verify that the consumer lives in the area and is not just temporarily visiting. This person must prove their own residency by including one of the documents listed above.
• Letter from a local non-profit social services provider or government entity (including a shelter) that can verify that the consumer lives in the area and is not just visiting
• Naturalization Papers signed and dated within the last 60 days or Green Card, Education Certificate, or VISA (if you moved to the U.S. from another country)
• Letter of explanation providing the date of the move, the old and new address (or where the consumer is staying), and the reason the consumer cannot provide any other documents proving eligibility for an SEP. The Marketplace will take this letter into consideration

SEP for Loss of Minimum Essential Coverage: Document(s) to Prove Loss or Planned Loss of Qualifying Health Coverage (Visit HealthCare.gov to learn more about qualifying coverage types)

• Letter or other document from an employer stating that the employer dropped or will drop coverage or benefits for the employee or employee’s spouse or dependent family member, including the date coverage ended or will end
• Letter or other document from an employer stating that the employer stopped or will stop contributing to the cost of coverage
• Letter or other document from an employer stating that the employer changed or will change coverage or benefits for the employee, or for the employee’s spouse or dependent family member, so it is no longer considered qualifying health coverage
• Letter showing an employer’s offer of Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) coverage, or stating when the employee’s COBRA coverage ended or will end
• Letter from health insurance company showing a coverage termination date, including a COBRA coverage termination date
• Proof that the consumer had qualifying health coverage within the last 60 days, like a pay stub showing deductions for health insurance
• Letter from school stating when student health coverage ended or will end
• Letter or notice from Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) stating when Medicaid or CHIP coverage ended or will end
• Letter or notice from a government program, like TRICARE, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Medicare, stating when that coverage ended or will end
• Dated copy of military discharge papers or Certificate of Release including the date that coverage ended or will end, if consumer is losing coverage because he or she is no longer active duty military
• Divorce or annulment papers that include the date of ending responsibility for providing health coverage
• Death certificate or public notice of death that includes proof of the date the consumer lost or will lose coverage due to the death of a spouse or other family member
• Dated and signed copy of written verification from an agent or dated letter from the issuer, if consumer is or was enrolled in a non-calendar year plan that is ending
• Copy of pay stubs of both current and previous hours if a reduction in work hours caused the consumer to lose coverage
• Letter of explanation about the coverage the consumer had, why and when the consumer lost or will lose it, and the reason the consumer cannot provide any other documents proving eligibility for an SEP. The Marketplace will take this letter into consideration.