Resident
Resident: A person who lives in a place. Each statute defines the term for its own purpose. Residence is generally where a person actually lives, and a person can have several residences. Domicile is the one place a person treats as a permanent home and intends to return to. Federal immigration law defines residence as "the place of general abode," meaning a person's "principal, actual dwelling place in fact, without regard to intent" (8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(33)). The tax code uses "resident" and "nonresident alien" only for people who are not U.S. citizens (26 U.S.C. § 7701(b)). State laws set their own tests. For example, California's Vehicle Code defines a resident as a person who "manifests an intent to live or be located in this state on more than a temporary or transient basis," and presence for six months in a year creates a rebuttable presumption of residency (Cal. Veh. Code § 516).
What resident means
In short, resident is a term you will meet in court papers, rules and legal research. The definition above gives its usual meaning in American civil practice. However, the exact meaning can depend on the rule, statute or court decision that uses it. So it helps to read the term in context.
Where resident comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
Read the source: Citizen, State citizen.
How to research the term
To research resident, begin with the rule, statute or contract where the word is used. Each one can give it a slightly different meaning. Then compare that text with how courts in your area have applied it. Also check the local rules of your court, since they can add requirements. If your case is in state court, the state rules control. So start with our state procedures guide to find them. In the end, always confirm that the source you rely on is current.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Request for production: a discovery request asking another party to produce documents, electronically stored information or tangible things.
- Res: latin for "thing." The property or subject matter that is the object of a legal proceeding or arrangement. For example, a court has in rem jurisdiction over a res located within its territory, and in trust law the trust res is the property held in the trust (also called the corpus).
- Res judicata: claim preclusion: a final judgment on the merits generally bars the same parties from relitigating the same claim.
- Rescission: undoing a contract and restoring the parties to their positions before it was made.
Why precise terms matter
Legal words often look like everyday words, but they can carry a precise meaning. Because of that, a small misreading can change how you understand a deadline, a duty or a right. Our glossary keeps each definition short and links it to the procedures where it matters.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.