How to Establish Florida Residency
- File a Declaration of Domicile in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court in which you intend to reside.
- Obtain a Florida driver's license and plates for your automobile.
- Request the Supervisor of Registration in the State of your former residence to strike your name from the voting records of that State. After you become a legal resident of Florida, contact the County Supervisor of Elections in reference to residency requirements.
- File future Federal Income Tax Returns in Florida (IRS Service Center in Atlanta, Georgia).
- File Florida Intangible Tax Returns with the Department of Revenue in Tallahassee, Florida. The intangible tax is levied on assets owned on January 1st of each year. Generally, this tax covers stocks, bonds, notes receivable and certain interest in trusts, and excludes Individual Retirement Accounts, 401(K) accounts, Florida bonds, cash and other certain assets.
- File for the homestead property tax exemption for your residence. You may file for the homestead property tax exemption during the months of January and February at the County Courthouse. You will need to bring a copy of your deed, a Florida driver's license, a Florida automobile registration, your voter's registration and/or a filed Declaration of Domicile and your social security number. If you do not drive, you must have a Highway Patrol identification card issued at the driver's license office. If the property is listed jointly, both parties must furnish the above proof.
- Change your Will so as to recite that you are a resident of Florida.
- Notify taxing officials of your change of residence.
- Spend as much time in Florida as is practicable. Preferably, spend more time than six months per year in Florida.
- Notify the corporations in which you hold stocks of your change of residence, and have such securities registered in your name at your Florida address.
- Transfer financial (e.g., securities, bank) accounts from State of former residence to Florida. Open a safe deposit box in Florida to hold all your valuables. Change your mailing address to Florida for any out-of-state accounts you maintain.
- In all future contracts and other documents in which your residence is referred to, recite that you are a resident of the State of Florida.
- Own or lease and occupy a dwelling in Florida.
- Withdraw membership in any club outside of Florida where residence in such State is a prerequisite to holding such membership. Change out-of-state club memberships to "non-resident" membership, when possible.
- Transfer your religious affiliations to Florida.
- Declare Florida to be your state of residence in all oral and written communications concerning your residence or domicile.
- Register at hotels as a resident of Florida.
- Transact business in Florida.
- File a Declaration of Domicile
- Obtain a Florida driver’s license
- Register your automobile (license plate) or other vehicle in Florida Register to vote and vote in Florida Update your Will and/or Trust Agreement(s) to conform with Florida law.
- Declare Florida as your residence in Will, Codicil and/or Trust List Florida as residence in all deeds and other documents
- File Florida intangible tax return
- Notify tax and voting officials of your previous residence that you have become a resident of Florida
- Use your Florida address in filing your Federal income tax return with the IRS at: Internal Revenue Service Center, Atlanta, Georgia 39901.
- If possible, file final tax returns for state and previous residence
- Apply for Homestead Exemption
- Establish and transfer bank, brokerage and other financial accounts to Florida
- Notify the Social Security Administration of your change of address.
- Use Florida address for your passport
- Use Florida address for your charge accounts
- Obtain a safe deposit box in Florida
- Register Florida address with insurance and Medicare
- Direct that all income, pension, dividend and interest checks and other payments be sent to your Florida address
- Notify social clubs of your Florida address for their membership rolls.
- Use Florida residence/address whenever possible such as when registering at a hotel
- Consult your attorney
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