Dependent verification documentation

To cover a spouse, child, or domestic partner under your benefits, you may need to provide documentation verifying their eligibility. Acceptable documents are listed below.

Acceptable documentation for a legal spouse

• If married prior to the current year, choose one or two below
  1. Prior year federal or state tax return
     • Only submit page 1 of the return (e.g., 1040 form, eFile confirmation page, tax preparer’s summary, federal return recap or Telefile)
     • Mark out all financial information and the first five digits of all Social Security numbers
     • If you file as “married filing separately,” your spouse’s name must appear on the tax form on the line provided after the “married filing separately” status (or vice versa)
  2. Marriage certificate AND one proof of joint ownership (both the employee and spouse’s name must be on the document)
     • Mortgage, credit card or bank statement, car note, school taxes or utility bills dated from any time in the last three months
     • Rental/lease agreement, property appraisals from the city, county or state for tax purposes or property tax document dated from the last 12 months
     • Auto insurance policy, currently in effect, showing one spouse listed as the owner and the other as a driver
     • Homeowner’s insurance policy, currently in effect
• If married within the current calendar year, you must submit a copy of the marriage certificate

Acceptable documentation for children

• Birth certificate showing the child’s parent(s)
• Official hospital record showing the child’s parent(s)
• Hospital Crib Card (for newborns only)
• Official paternity test showing the child’s parent(s)
• Verification of Birth Facts or Certification of Birth Facts showing the child’s parent(s). Must include signature and date from hospital representative or state information
• Court-approved adoption papers (with signature or seal), Adoption Placement Agreement or Petition for Adoption
• Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America, issued by the Department of State, showing the child’s parents. The Certificate of Birth Abroad, also issued by the Department of State, is not acceptable because it does not list the parents' names 
• Divorce decree that lists children born to the marriage
• State Affidavit of Parentage or Paternity (or like form), that acknowledges the child’s father and indicates that it was filed with the state or with the court
• Verification or Certification of birth facts showing the child’s parent(s)
• Court approved child support order which shows all of the following:
  • Indicating the child’s parent(s)
  • The name of the dependent covered by the agreement
  • Signatures, court seal/stamp or case number
• Court-awarded legal guardianship papers or equivalent court order that show all of the following:
  • Granting of guardianship under state law
  • The employee, spouse or domestic partner identified as the child’s legal guardian
  • The name of the dependent covered by the agreement

Acceptable documentation for same or opposite sex domestic partner

The domestic partners must provide M&T with the Domestic Partnership Declaration, and at least two of the following forms of documentation to verify the authenticity and duration of the domestic partnership:

• A deed showing joint ownership of permanent residence
• A current lease stating both partners' names as lessees
• A joint ownership of a motor vehicle
• A joint checking account statement from the last three months
• A joint credit account statement from the last three months
• A will which designates the other as a primary beneficiary