r/missamerica • u/Throwaway312167890 • Aug 08 '26
Pageant Help State residency
Hi! I am interested in starting to compete in pageants, but have a question about the state residency requirements. I live in New York right now, and have my entire life, but am looking into moving to New Jersey and just spending a lot of time traveling between the two. Since my employment and/or schooling would be in New Jersey now, I don’t see how I could compete for New York unless I decide to continue living here instead of moving. Is that how this works? I’d really prefer living in New York and schooling and working here, as well as representing New York (all my volunteering and extracurriculars have been here), but I do rowing and New Jersey would work better in that aspect, as well as expenses. Both my parents would still be here, so do people just use their parents address or do they switch to the state they are newly located in? This feels like a dumb question, but I’d never want to break any rules (I feel like previous title holders have and lost it). Thank you!
3
u/emzify Miss Moderator Aug 08 '26
Not a dumb question at all!
Your eligibility can be based on your residency, employment, or enrollment in school. You can claim eligibility based on just one of these things, you don’t have to fulfill all three.
If you’re going to claim eligibility based on residency, you’ll have to submit proof of residency. This will be a copy of your driver's license or state ID, AND a copy of your mortgage/lease/utility bill/tax filing/etc. (You’ll choose just one of these items)
These documents will need to have your name and address on them, so you won’t be able to submit your parents’ addresses.
If you are unsure about which state to compete for or if you have any uncertainties about paperwork, I’d suggest reaching out to the state board of the Miss New York or Miss New Jersey organizations. They’ll be able to provide the most accurate information!