The University offers comprehensive insurance plans designed to support faculty and staff as well as their families. To help make coverage more affordable, the University subsidizes a portion of premium costs, including coverage for eligible family members. To ensure these benefits are provided accurately, documentation verifying family relationships is required when enrolling a spouse, sponsored adult dependent or children.

Required Documentation Standards

The following requirements apply to all documentation submitted for dependent coverage:

  • Certified copies or photocopies of certified documents are required. A photocopy must reflect the embossed seal or the official stamp of the certifying entity.
  • Informational copies are not acceptable, including hospital birth certificates, baptismal records, communion records, church marriage certificates and marriage licenses.
  • Documents written in a language other than English must be accompanied by a notarized English translation.

A certified copy of the marriage certificate is required.

  • Most states maintain marriage certificates with the Recorder of Deeds of the county in which the marriage license was obtained and the marriage took place.
  • If the marriage took place in the United States, the certified copy will include language verifying the marriage certificate is on file and often includes a stamp, signature, or both.
  • The required language verifying the certificate is on file may appear on the front of the document but is commonly located on the back.

An Affirmation of Sponsored Adult Dependent Partnership (PDF) must be completed and signed by the employee.  

Learn More on Coverage for Sponsored Adult Dependents 

In the case of coverage for children, documentation requirements vary according to the child’s relationship to the employee. 

  • Natural children: A copy of each child’s certified birth certificate reflecting the employee as a parent.  
  • Step-children: A copy of each child’s certified birth certificate reflecting the employee’s spouse as a parent, and employee’s marriage certificate reflecting marriage to one of the child’s natural parents. 
  • Adopted children: A copy of the adoption papers reflecting the employee as an adoptive parent. 
  • Any other child: A copy of permanent custody (legal guardianship) papers or other legal documentation reflecting that the employee is both legally and financially responsible for the child.

Verification Forms

“John Doe” Birth Certificates

A “John Doe” birth certificate is a certificate of birth that does not reflect a father’s name.

  • If the mother identified on the birth certificate is the University employee, the certificate is acceptable.
  • If the University employee is male, the child may be added only by providing:
    • An amended birth certificate reflecting the male employee as the father, or
    • An Order to Enroll issued by the Division of Child Support.

Documentation Deadlines and Coverage Termination

If the documentation described above is not provided at the time coverage is requested for a spouse, sponsored adult dependent, or child(ren):

  • The faculty or staff member will be enrolled to include coverage for the spouse, sponsored adult dependent, and/or child(ren) for a period of 31 days.
  • If the required documentation is not provided within 31 days of the coverage effective date, coverage will be terminated as of the last day of the 31-day period.

To obtain subsequent coverage for a spouse or sponsored adult dependent, the employee must:

  • Reapply during annual enrollment or a special enrollment period, and
  • Provide the applicable documentation at that time.

Subsequent Coverage for Children

Different situations may exist when seeking subsequent coverage for a child or children.

  • If additional premiums are required and proof of relationship is provided within 180 days of the first date of eligibility, coverage will be reinstated effective on the date proper documentation is provided.
  • If additional premiums are required and proof of relationship is provided beyond 180 days of the first date of eligibility, coverage will be reinstated on the first day of the calendar year following receipt of the documentation.
  • If additional premiums are not required, enrollment will be reinstated back to the first date of eligibility once proper proof of relationship is provided.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

If you speak another language, assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. 
Call UnitedHealthcare at 1-844-634-1237 for translation assistance.

Espa?ol   繁体中文   Ti?ng Vi?t   Srpsko-hrvatski   Deutsch   ???????   Русский   ???  
Fran?ais   Tagalog   Deitsch   ?????   Oroomiffa   笔辞谤迟耻驳耻ê蝉   ????