Between May - July 2026, state pageants around the nation will be held from coast to coast! State pageant winners will advance to compete at Miss USA and Miss Teen USA 2026.

RESIDENCY:

• A state pageant candidate must show verification of residency within the state, for at minimum 90 days prior to the state pageant

• Residency may be fulfilled through home, work, school, ownership of property. A PO Box does not constitute proof of residency

• Each state pageant director will manage the proof of residency process and answer further candidate questions

TEEN ELIGIBILITY:

• Born between 2007 and 2011

• Never married

• Never birthed children

• US citizen

• Legally recognized as female

• May not have competed previously at Miss Teen USA national pageant

MISS ELIGIBILITY:

• Born during or before the year 2007

• Any marital status - Unmarried, married, widowed, divorced

• With or without children

• US citizen

• Legally recognized as female

• May not have competed previously at Miss Universe or Miss USA national pageant

ADDITIONAL POLICIES:

• A candidate may compete in up to two (2) state pageants during the 2026 state pageant season, if the candidate qualifies for multiple states through the 90-day residency rules

• There are no requirements of waiting a certain length of time between competing in state pageants, with a maximum of two (2) state pageants per candidate in the 2026 season