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Driving/Vehicle Information

• Check on the seat belt & infant seat laws in your new state.
• Check on the insurance law in your new state regarding mandatory liability insurance.
• Obtain a drivers license in your new state through the Department of Public Safety. Most states require that you obtain this within 30 days. You will probably need your valid out-of-state license, birth certificate, and proof of insurance.
• Most states require all vehicles to pass an inspection annually or bi-annually. How strict the inspection standards are vary greatly from state to state. California and Texas have the most restrictive emissions laws. It is a good idea to have your vehicle tuned up before taking it to a local garage for an inspection.
• Register your vehicle and obtain tags through the county tax office where you will be residing. Most states require registration within 30 days. You will probably need the vehicle title, the sales or tax affadavit, current drivers license, Vehicle Identification Certificate, current odometer reading, & possibly proof of insurance and/or proof of the vehicle passing an inspection.
  

Voter Registration

Most states require you to be a resident for 30 days, at least 18 years old and an American citizen to vote. You may request a voter registration form from your local county Elections Department or at the post office.

Change of Address

You may obtain a change of address packet the post office. This packet includes postcards to notify others of your new address.

Legal Information

Check on the laws in your new state regarding marital property (currently, 8 states are
community property states, and the rest are separate property states.) Whether the property owned by a married couple moving from one state to another is community or separate is determined by the law of the state where the property is located. If a couple retains ownership of "separate" property in one state, and then moves to a "community" property state, the out-of-state property will remain "separate" property.

Have your will reviewed for application in your new state. Estate laws vary from state to state, and you will probably need to have yours revised. A will which does not confirm to the state laws could have probate legal fees and hassles for your family.

If you have a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, have it reviewed by an attorney for
validity in your new state.

Laws on "common-law marriage" vary from state to state. If you live with a partner and are not currently married, you may want to check on the common-law legalities in your new state. This is important because the rules of community property and divorce apply to common law marriage as well as civil marriage if common law exists in the state.

Tax Facts

Relocating will almost without question affect your individual tax situation. There are 4 forms which may be necessary when you move: IRS Form 478 - Employee Moving Expense Information; IRS Form 3903 - Moving Expense; and IRS Form 2119 - Sale or Exchange of a Principal Residence; and IRS Form - Change of Address. You may call the IRS Request Line at 1-800-829-3676 and they will mail you these forms. Your local post office an public library may also stock them. You will also want to consult with your accountant prior to moving, and perhaps obtain a referral to a CPA in your new area.