When you’re traveling full-time in an RV, you need a place to call “home.” Someplace that is your legal permanent address. Some have a state where they have mail forwarding, a relative’s home, or your home that you may rent out. More and more families and seniors are moving to Florida, the Sunshine State. All you must do is set up a domicile.
Exactly What is a Domicile?
A permanent place of residence is a domicile. This is where you’ll be registered to vote, register your vehicles and pay taxes. There are three states that are popular domicile choices to call home – Texas, South Dakota, and Florida.
These states have less expensive vehicle registrations, lower taxes and negligeable homeschooling regulations. If you’re traveling often and looking for a feeling of freedom, then it’s an excellent option.
All Full-Time RVers Must Have a Domicile
Even though many RVers spend a good part of a year traveling to different states, they still must have a place they call “home,” a domicile. They need that physical address for vehicle registration, insurance coverage and pay their taxes.
What are the Benefits of a Florida Domicile for RVers
There are several reasons that Florida is a place to set you your home base.
Saves you money if you’re working from the road.
Annual vehicle inspections
Discounts available only to Florida residents
How to Establish a Florida Residence for a RV Lifestyle
Establishing your home in the state of Florida does take some effort on your part. Here are the steps you need to complete to become a resident of Florida:
How to Secure a Florida Physical Address. You can use a family member, friend, or a mail service provider’s address. Make sure wherever you’ve chosen, you have their permission before using their address. It could cause problems for you and for them.
Change your license & vehicle registration to your Florida address. In addition, you’ll also need to change your insurance to Florida. You may find that your insurance premiums have changed. Before going to the local county DMV or government offices, be sure you collect all the necessary paperwork and documents to that the process is easy switching over. You’ll need proof of identity, your social security number and two forms of proof of residential address to get your driver’s license. One of these can be proof that you’ve been staying at a campground where you plan on staying for 6 months to a year or more. Now you can start the process of registering vehicles and trailers. Make sure you have the state-issued license or ID card, any titles or lienholder information, an earlier out-of-state registration, bill of sale and proof of insurance. If you do not have all these documents, you may not be able to get your vehicles registered.
On Other Accounts, Change You’re Address. Any bills, credit cards, bank accounts or anything else that you don’t want associated with your previous address should be changed in a timely manner, especially if you no longer live there. If it’s an easier option choose electronic communications as often as possible. This way you will receive important communications sooner than waiting for mail for weeks or months.
Establish County or Area Connections to your Domicile. As soon as you can, it’s important to establish connections within your county to libraries, dentists and any other medical needs you have. You may not be there very often, but it’s good to have these connections when you need them.
Does Florida Require a Mandatory Time to Establish a Residence? Florida is one of those states that does not require a minimum number of days to declare residency.
How to Show Intent to Establish Residency in Florida Florida is one of those states that does not require a minimum number of days to declare residency. In Florida, RVers have a few things that will ease worries over how to prove a residence. A paper trail is an excellent place to start. Switching your bank or banks, insurance providers, and getting a storage unit all provide that paper trail that shows intent and supplies proof of showing a domicile in Florida. Another way of showing intent is making local connections such as doctors, lawyers, or churches. Anything and everything can point to the fact that you’re establishing a new location of domicile.
While there are other states that are very friendly to RVers, Florida is hard to beat. With its sunshine, sandy beaches and attractions, there’s something for everyone.
Here at Old Town Campground, you have the trees and feeling of the woods of the country yet close to towns and cities. You get the peaceful and quiet community of all the friendly permanent residents and visiting guests.
Settle down for a unique, retirement experience that offers you the best of both worlds – a place to call home and is stationery and camping. It can’t get any better than that.