Florida Domicile Checklist: Every Step to Legally Establish Florida Residency in 2026

This Florida domicile checklist covers every step you need to legally change your permanent home to Florida in 2026. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans make this move. The reasons are straightforward: Florida has no state income tax, no estate tax, strong asset protection through its homestead exemption, and a legal framework that makes establishing domicile relatively simple compared to other states.

But "simple" does not mean "automatic." If you skip a step, file documents in the wrong order, or fail to sever ties with your former state, you risk your old state claiming you never actually left — and sending you a tax bill with penalties and interest.

This checklist walks you through every step of establishing Florida domicile in 2026, in the order you should complete them, with the exact costs, timelines, and documentation you need. Whether you are a travel nurse, digital nomad, expat, or simply someone moving to Florida for tax savings, this is the definitive guide.

Why the Order Matters

Establishing domicile is not just about completing a list of tasks. It is about creating a legally defensible paper trail that proves your intent to make Florida your permanent home. State tax auditors — particularly from New York, California, and New Jersey — look for inconsistencies in your timeline. If your Declaration of Domicile is dated January 15 but you did not get a Florida driver's license until August, that gap raises questions.

The checklist below is organized in the sequence that creates the strongest legal position. Complete each step as close together as possible — ideally within your first 30 days.

Phase 1: The Legal Foundation (Days 1–7)

These are the three actions that legally establish your Florida domicile. Without all three, your domicile claim is incomplete.

Step 1: Secure a Florida Residential Address

Before you can file any documents, you need a physical Florida street address. This cannot be a PO Box. Banks, the DMV, the IRS, and state tax auditors all distinguish between a mailing address and a residential address.

Your options:

• Own or rent property in Florida — A lease agreement or deed in your name is the strongest proof of a Florida address.
• Use a domicile establishment service — Services like Your Tax Base provide a legitimate Florida residential street address with a lease, utility bill in your name, and mail forwarding. This is the most common option for travel nurses, digital nomads, and expats who do not own Florida property.
• Stay with family or friends — You can use a family member's address, but you will need documentation (like a letter from the homeowner and proof you receive mail there) to support your claim.

Step 2: File Your Declaration of Domicile

The Declaration of Domicile is the single most important legal document in your Florida domicile establishment. It is a sworn statement filed under Florida Statutes §222.17 with the clerk of the circuit court in your Florida county.

What the Declaration states:

• Your full legal name
• Your Florida residential address
• Your former state of domicile
• That you have established your permanent residence in Florida
• That you intend to make Florida your permanent home

How to file:

1. Obtain the Declaration of Domicile form from your county clerk's office (most counties have it available online)
2. Complete the form with your Florida residential address
3. Sign it in the presence of a notary public
4. File it with the clerk of the circuit court in your Florida county
5. Pay the recording fee (typically around $10, varies by county)
6. Keep a certified copy for your records

Cost: Approximately $10 recording fee (varies by county)

Timeline: Same-day filing at most county clerk offices. Some counties accept online submissions.

Step 3: Obtain a Florida Driver's License

Florida law (§322.031) requires new residents to obtain a Florida driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency. This is not optional — it is a legal requirement and one of the strongest domicile indicators auditors examine.

What you need to bring to the DMV:

• Proof of identity: Valid U.S. passport, birth certificate, or current out-of-state driver's license
• Proof of Social Security number: Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 with full SSN
• Two proofs of Florida residential address: Lease agreement, utility bill, bank statement, or Declaration of Domicile receipt
• Your current out-of-state driver's license (you must surrender it)

Cost: $48 for a new Class E license (standard non-commercial license)

Timeline: Visit any Florida DHSMV (Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles) office. Most visits take 1–2 hours. You will receive a temporary paper license immediately and your permanent card by mail within 7–10 business days.

Important: When you surrender your out-of-state license, Florida becomes the only state where you hold a valid driver's license. This is exactly what auditors want to see. If you maintain an active driver's license in your former state, it signals that you have not fully committed to Florida domicile.

Step 4: Register to Vote in Florida

Voter registration is one of the five primary factors that state tax auditors use to determine domicile. Registering to vote in Florida — and canceling your registration in your former state — sends an unambiguous signal about where you consider your permanent home.

How to register:

• Online: registertovoteflorida.gov (requires a Florida driver's license or state ID)
• In person: At your county Supervisor of Elections office, any Florida DMV office, or public library
• By mail: Download the voter registration application from your county's Supervisor of Elections website

Cost: Free

Timeline: Immediate if done online with a Florida driver's license. Mail-in applications take 1–2 weeks to process.

Do not skip this step. In domicile audits, the question "Where are you registered to vote?" comes up in virtually every case. Being registered to vote in your former state while claiming Florida domicile is one of the most common red flags auditors cite.

Phase 2: Vehicle and Financial Ties (Days 7–30)

Once your legal foundation is in place, the next phase focuses on transferring your tangible ties to Florida.

Step 5: Register Your Vehicles in Florida

Florida requires new residents to register their vehicles within 10 days of either employment or enrolling children in school, or within 30 days of establishing residency.

What you need:

• Current out-of-state title or registration
• Florida driver's license
• Proof of Florida insurance (Florida requires PIP and PDL coverage)
• VIN verification (some counties require an inspection)
• Lien holder information (if applicable)

Costs:

Fee	Amount
Initial registration fee	$225 (first-time Florida registration)
Title transfer fee	$75.25
License plate fee	$28 (standard plate)
County fees (vary)	$0–$12

Timeline: Visit your county tax collector's office. Most transfers are completed same-day. You will receive a temporary tag and your permanent plate by mail.

Step 6: Update Your Auto Insurance to Florida

Florida has specific minimum insurance requirements that differ from most states:

• $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP) — Florida is a no-fault state
• $10,000 Property Damage Liability (PDL)

Contact your insurance provider to update your policy to a Florida address before registering your vehicle. You will need proof of Florida insurance at the tax collector's office.

Step 7: Update All Financial Accounts

This step is often overlooked but critically important for audit defense. Update your address to your Florida residential address on:

• All bank accounts (checking, savings, CDs)
• All investment accounts (brokerage, retirement, 401k)
• Credit cards
• Insurance policies (health, life, umbrella)
• Retirement accounts (IRA, pension)
• PayPal, Venmo, and other digital payment platforms

Phase 3: Severing Ties With Your Former State (Days 1–90)

Establishing Florida domicile is only half the equation. The other half — and often the more important half for audit purposes — is severing your ties with your former state. This is where most people make mistakes.

State tax auditors do not just look at what you did in Florida. They look at what you kept in your old state. Every tie you maintain is a thread they can pull to argue you never truly left.

Step 8: Surrender Your Former State Driver's License

When you obtain your Florida driver's license, you surrender your old license at the DMV. But some states do not automatically cancel your record. Contact your former state's DMV to confirm your license has been deactivated in their system. Request written confirmation.

Step 9: Cancel Voter Registration in Your Former State

Contact your former county's Board of Elections to cancel your voter registration. Get written confirmation. In New York, auditors specifically check whether departing residents canceled their voter registration. Being registered in two states simultaneously undermines your domicile claim.

Step 10: Address Your Former State Property

This is the single biggest audit trigger. If you own a home in your former state and claim Florida domicile, auditors will argue that you still maintain a "permanent place of abode" in your old state.

Your options:

• Sell the property — The cleanest break. Eliminates the audit risk entirely.
• Rent it out — Converting your former home to a rental property shows you no longer use it as a personal residence. Get a signed lease, report rental income, and make sure the property is not available for your personal use.
• Transfer ownership — Transfer to a family member or trust. Consult a tax attorney, as this may trigger gift tax implications.
• Keep it as a vacation home — This is the riskiest option. You must strictly limit your time there (stay well under your former state's day threshold) and maintain it as a clearly secondary property.

Step 11: Close or Transfer Memberships and Subscriptions

Auditors examine your "near and dear" connections — the places and organizations that reflect where you truly live:

• Religious organizations — Transfer membership to a Florida congregation
• Professional associations — Update your address or transfer chapters
• Gym memberships — Cancel your old state gym and join one in Florida
• Country clubs and social clubs — Resign or convert to non-resident status
• Library cards — Get a Florida library card; return your old one
• Medical and dental providers — Establish primary care in Florida

This may seem excessive, but New York's domicile audit specifically examines where you keep your "near and dear" items: family photos, artwork, pets, jewelry, and items of sentimental value. The more of your life that is physically in Florida, the stronger your domicile claim.

Step 12: File a Final or Part-Year Tax Return in Your Former State

Most states require a part-year return for the year you depart. This return should clearly indicate:

• Your departure date
• That you are filing as a part-year resident
• Your new Florida address
• Income earned only during the period you were a resident of that state

For California, you must file Form 540NR (Nonresident or Part-Year Resident). For New York, file Form IT-203 (Nonresident and Part-Year Resident). For New Jersey, file Form NJ-1040-NR.

Filing a part-year return on time is one of the strongest signals of a legitimate domicile change. Not filing — or filing a full-year resident return — creates the opposite impression.

Phase 4: Strengthening Your Domicile (Days 30–365)

The steps in this phase are not strictly required for domicile establishment, but they significantly strengthen your position if your former state audits you.

Step 13: File for Florida Homestead Exemption (If You Own Property)

If you own residential property in Florida, filing for homestead exemption under Florida Statutes §196.015 serves two purposes:

1. Tax savings: Exempts up to $50,000 of assessed value from property taxes
2. Domicile evidence: You can only claim homestead exemption on your primary residence, so filing for it is a legal declaration that Florida is your permanent home

Deadline: You must file by March 1 of the year following your property purchase or domicile establishment.

How to file: Apply at your county Property Appraiser's office. You will need your Florida driver's license, property deed, and Social Security number.

Florida's homestead exemption also provides additional protections: creditor protection (your homestead is generally protected from creditors under Article X, Section 4 of the Florida Constitution), and the Save Our Homes assessment cap (limits annual increases in assessed value to 3% or CPI, whichever is lower).

Step 14: Update Professional Licenses

If you hold professional licenses, update them to reflect your Florida address:

• Nursing licenses: If you hold a compact nursing license, your primary state of residence determines which state issues your multistate license. Changing domicile to Florida means Florida becomes your compact license state.
• CPA, attorney, or other professional licenses: Update your address with each licensing board
• Federal licenses: Update your address with any federal agencies (FAA, FCC, etc.)

Step 15: Update Federal Records

• IRS: File your next federal tax return with your Florida address. If you need to update before filing season, submit Form 8822 (Change of Address).
• Social Security Administration: Update your address at ssa.gov or your local SSA office.
• U.S. Postal Service: File a change of address (Form 3575) to forward mail from your old address.
• Passport: Update your address on your next passport renewal.

Step 16: Establish a Florida Banking Relationship

Open a bank account at a Florida-based branch or ensure your existing bank has your Florida address on file. Having a local banking relationship — especially at a Florida credit union or community bank — provides additional domicile evidence and is particularly important for expats who need to maintain a U.S. bank account for tax-free remittance transfers.

Step 17: Create a Florida Will or Trust

Florida law governs the distribution of your estate based on your domicile. If you have an existing will or trust from your former state, have it reviewed by a Florida attorney. Florida has specific requirements for will execution (two witnesses plus a notary under §732.502) that differ from other states.

A Florida-drafted will or trust is another indicator of permanent intent — and it ensures your estate is handled under Florida's favorable laws (no state estate tax, strong spousal protections).

The Complete Florida Domicile Checklist

Here is the full checklist in a single reference table. Print this or save it as your tracking document.

#	Action	Timeline	Cost	Priority
1	Secure a Florida residential street address	Day 1	Varies	Required
2	File Declaration of Domicile (§222.17)	Day 1–3	~$10	Required
3	Obtain Florida driver's license (surrender old license)	Within 30 days	$48	Required
4	Register to vote in Florida	Day 1–7	Free	Required
5	Register vehicles in Florida	Within 30 days	~$328+	High
6	Update auto insurance to Florida	Before vehicle registration	Varies	High
7	Update all financial accounts	Days 7–30	Free	High
8	Surrender former state driver's license	At FL DMV visit	Free	Required
9	Cancel voter registration in former state	Days 1–30	Free	High
10	Address former state property (sell, rent, or convert)	Days 1–90	Varies	High
11	Close or transfer memberships	Days 1–90	Free	Medium
12	File part-year return in former state	Tax filing deadline	Varies	Required
13	File for homestead exemption (if applicable)	By March 1	Free	High
14	Update professional licenses	Days 30–90	Varies	Medium
15	Update federal records (IRS, SSA, USPS)	Days 7–90	Free	Medium
16	Establish Florida banking relationship	Days 7–60	Free	Medium
17	Create Florida will or trust	Days 30–365	Varies	Medium

Special Considerations by Audience

Travel Nurses

If you are a travel nurse establishing Florida domicile to create a tax home, there are additional considerations:

• Tax home vs. domicile: Your tax home (for IRS purposes) and your domicile (for state tax purposes) are related but distinct. You need both a Florida domicile AND to maintain expenses at your Florida address to claim tax-free stipends. See our guide to maintaining your tax home.
• Compact nursing license: Florida is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. When you change your domicile to Florida, Florida becomes your primary compact license state. You may need to update your multistate license accordingly.
• W-4 updates: Give every new assignment employer an updated W-4 showing your Florida address. This ensures state taxes are only withheld for the state where you physically work, not for a former home state.
• Duplicate expenses: The IRS requires you to maintain "substantial and recurring" expenses at your tax home. Keep records of rent/lease payments, utilities, and other costs at your Florida address. See our tax home expense guide.

Digital Nomads and Remote Workers

If you work remotely and do not have a fixed location, Florida domicile gives you a stable legal home base:

• No physical presence requirement: Florida has no minimum day requirement for domicile, making it ideal for people who travel frequently.
• State tax nexus: Be aware that working remotely from other states may create tax obligations there. See our remote work tax guide for the rules state by state.
• Banking: A Florida residential address helps you maintain U.S. bank accounts, which is critical for avoiding the remittance tax and accessing financial services while abroad.

Expats and Americans Living Abroad

If you are an American living overseas, Florida domicile provides a U.S. legal home without state income tax:

• FEIE and state taxes: Even if you qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion at the federal level, your former state may still tax you if you are considered a resident. Florida domicile eliminates that risk entirely.
• U.S. address requirement: Many banks, brokerages, and government agencies require a physical U.S. address. A Florida address satisfies this requirement without creating a state tax obligation.
• Consular services: Your domicile state is listed on consular records. Florida domicile means no state tax obligations upon return.
• Estate planning: Florida has no state estate tax. Combined with the homestead exemption and creditor protections, Florida domicile can significantly benefit your estate plan.

RV and Full-Time Travelers

Florida is one of the most popular domicile states for full-time RVers because:

• No minimum physical presence requirement
• No state income tax
• Well-established process for mobile residents
• Many mail forwarding and domicile services cater specifically to RVers

The checklist above applies equally to RVers. The key difference is that your Florida residential address will likely be through a domicile service rather than owned or rented property. This is completely legal — see our guide on the legality of Florida domicile changes.

Common Mistakes That Trigger Audits

Based on audit case data, these are the most common mistakes people make when establishing Florida domicile:

Mistake	Why It's a Problem	Fix
Keeping old state driver's license	Shows you have not committed to the move	Surrender at FL DMV, confirm cancellation
Staying registered to vote in old state	Direct evidence of intent to remain	Cancel old registration, register in FL
Keeping a home in old state for personal use	Creates "permanent place of abode"	Sell, rent out, or strictly limit time there
Inconsistent addresses across documents	Shows incomplete commitment	Update every account to FL address
Not filing part-year return in old state	No official record of departure	File part-year return with departure date
Using a PO Box instead of residential address	PO Boxes do not establish domicile	Use a physical FL street address
Spending too many days in former state	May trigger statutory residency (183-day rule)	Track days carefully; stay under threshold
Keeping children enrolled in old state schools	One of the strongest "near and dear" ties	Transfer schools or document boarding situation

Audit-Proof Documentation: What to Keep

If your former state audits your domicile change, you will need to produce documentation going back to your move date. Here is what to maintain in an organized file (physical and digital) for at least 7 years:

• Certified copy of Declaration of Domicile — Your primary legal proof
• Florida driver's license copy — Both front and back, with issue date visible
• Voter registration confirmation — Florida registration card or online confirmation
• Voter cancellation confirmation — Written proof from former state
• Lease agreement or property deed — For your Florida residential address
• Utility bills — Monthly bills in your name at your Florida address
• Bank and credit card statements — Showing Florida address and transaction locations
• Vehicle registration and title — Florida vehicle documents
• Insurance declarations pages — Auto, health, and any other policies showing FL address
• Part-year tax return from former state — With departure date
• Federal tax return — Showing Florida address
• Travel records — Calendar, airline tickets, hotel receipts showing where you spent time
• Moving receipts — If you hired movers or rented a truck
• Change of address confirmations — From banks, brokerages, and government agencies
• Professional license updates — Confirmation of address changes

How Your Tax Base Helps

At Your Tax Base, we help thousands of Americans establish Florida domicile with everything needed to make the change legally defensible:

• Physical Florida residential street address — A real street address (not a PO Box) with a lease agreement in your name
• Utility bill in your name — Documented proof of residence at your Florida address
• Declaration of Domicile filing assistance — We guide you through the §222.17 filing process
• Mail forwarding service — Receive, scan, and forward all mail sent to your Florida address
• Documentation package — Organized records designed to survive a state tax audit

Plans start at $55/month and include everything you need to establish and maintain Florida domicile, whether you are a travel nurse, digital nomad, expat, or full-time traveler.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I establish Florida domicile if I live overseas?

Yes. Many expats establish Florida domicile specifically because it provides a U.S. legal home without state income tax. You do not need to physically live in Florida. You need a Florida residential address, a Declaration of Domicile on file, and your official documents (driver's license, voter registration, tax returns) reflecting your Florida address. Services like Your Tax Base are specifically designed for Americans who need Florida domicile but do not reside in the state full-time.

What if I already have a Florida driver's license but live in another state?

A Florida driver's license alone does not establish domicile. You need the full package: Declaration of Domicile, voter registration, updated financial accounts, and — critically — you must actually sever ties with your current state. If you maintain a home, voter registration, and professional licenses in another state while holding a Florida driver's license, auditors will likely determine your domicile is still in the other state.

How soon after establishing Florida domicile do I stop owing taxes to my former state?

You stop being a resident of your former state on the date you establish Florida domicile — assuming you take all the required steps and can document the change. You will file a part-year return in your former state covering January 1 through your departure date, and you will owe taxes only on income earned during that period. From the date of your domicile change forward, your former state can only tax income sourced to that state (like rental income from property there or income from working physically in that state).

Do I need a Florida mailing address or a residential address?

You need a residential address. A PO Box is a mailing address and does not establish domicile. Your Florida driver's license, voter registration, and Declaration of Domicile all require a physical street address where you reside (or have established legal residence). This is why domicile services provide residential addresses with lease agreements — they create the legal documentation that a PO Box cannot.

Is it worth establishing Florida domicile if I only earn $50,000 per year?

It depends on your current state's tax rate. If you currently live in California (top rate 13.3%), New York (top rate 10.9% plus NYC's 3.876%), or New Jersey (top rate 10.75%), the savings are significant even at moderate income levels. At $50,000, you could save $2,000–$4,000 per year depending on your state. Over 10 years, that is $20,000–$40,000. Use our state tax comparison calculator to see your exact numbers.

What about the 183-day rule?

The 183-day rule applies to your former state, not Florida. Florida has no day-count requirement because it has no income tax. But your former state may use the 183-day rule to claim you as a statutory resident if you spend 183 or more days there AND maintain a permanent place of abode. The solution: stay under 183 days in your former state, and ideally under the "safe harbor" threshold (which varies by state). Track your days carefully.

Sources and References

1. Florida Statutes §222.17 — Declaration of Domicile
2. Florida Statutes §322.031 — Residents; Requirements for Driving Licenses
3. Florida Statutes §196.015 — Permanent Residence: Criteria for Determination
4. IRS Form 8822 — Change of Address
5. Tax Foundation — State Individual Income Tax Rates, 2026
6. Saenz v. Roe, 526 U.S. 489 (1999) — Right to Travel and Establish Domicile

Related Resources

Florida Domicile Guides

• Beyond Taxes: 11 Hidden Benefits of Florida Domicile
• Florida Residency for Digital Nomads: Complete 2026 Guide
• Florida Residency Requirements: Why There's No Minimum Day Requirement
• Is Changing Your Domicile to Florida Legal?

Leaving Your State

• How to Legally Leave California Taxes
• How to Leave New York Residency
• How to Leave New Jersey Residency
• California Exit Tax Guide

Tax Residency Fundamentals

• The 5 Primary Factors Auditors Use to Prove Domicile Change
• The 183-Day Rule: Complete State Tax Residency Guide
• How to Establish Tax Residency in a No-Income-Tax State
• State Tax Residency Rules by State: The Complete 50-State Guide
• Residency vs. Domicile: The Critical Tax Distinction

For Travel Nurses

• Travel Nurse Tax Home: Complete IRS Guide 2026
• How to Maintain Your Tax Home as a Travel Nurse
• How to Pay $0 State Income Tax as a Travel Nurse
• Managing Multiple State Nursing Licenses

Services

• Florida Residency Services — Full domicile establishment with documentation and audit preparation
• Virtual Mailbox — Mail scanning and forwarding from your Florida address
• State Tax Comparison Calculator — See your exact savings by state