Changing to Texas residency

[lapico]

I am changing my domicile and residency to Texas. Most of my family lives in Texas. I would like to know if anyone has moved to Texas from another state and used a family member's address as their home address for registration purposes. (It is ok with my family to use their address). I still want to live in my RV and travel, but am having a problem with the DMV and its forms. I just want my "home" to be Texas. If you have been successful doing this, would you tell me how you went about it. Thanks

[Kirk W]

I think that you will find that many of us here are TX domiciled and numerous ones are using the Escapee Mail Service, which is an excellent way to deal with the problem and which has been tested and upheld in the courts. You would need to join the Escapee's RV Club in order to use their mail service. As far as using a relative's address, I really don't see why that should be any problem, as long as the relative doesn't mind and is reliable in forwarding your mail to you for however long you expect to be traveling. Very often folks find that the Escapee membership has more than enough benefits to RV travelers to be worth the cost of membership and the mail is more reliable and doesn't put some relative out to work free. I don't know of any reason that it would be any different to use the address of a relative than to use a mail service, legally. TX laws would be the same and would be applied in the same way. The Escapees have a free publication called How To Become A Real Texan that you can download and although it is intended for users of the mail service, most of the information would apply to using a relative as well.

[gjhunter01]

During our first year of full timing we used my brothers address in Texas for our residency and it worked out good for us. In fact the mail worked out the best as we could decide if he should forward a piece of mail or just send me a scan of it. If it wasn't for his moving out of state we would still be using that address.

You will have to go to the Texas DMV and get a new drivers licenses. You will also need to transfer your vehicle titles to Texas and repay the sales tax fees along with getting a Texas insurance coverage for the vehicle. If I remember right, they might ask for proof of your new address such as a bill or mail being sent to your new address.

Greg

[lapico]

Thanks to both of you for replying. I cannot see any valid reason why I cannot use a relative"s address either. I Escapees mail service is a legal address, then a relative's address should be no different. HOWEVER, upon calling DMV and going there in person, I am told that it is not legal and they cannot accept it. They were even familiar with Escapees, but told me that it is not a legal address and neither would a relatives address. (I know Escapees is legal-- They've been doing it for 30+years with thousands of members). One fellow at the DMV said, you can only register your address as the place that you most often "lay your head down at night." I just feel that there is no REASON why I can't use a relative's address. I will probably join Escapees regardless for the benefits. I just think I should be able to use a relatives address. In fact, my relatives are almost insistant that I do it. Is there anyway that I can make DMV comprehend my desire to live in my RV.

[TXiceman]

When the drivers license office ask about the address and number, just tell them it is apartment. Anything else will confuse them.

 

Ken

[2gypsies]

All Texas DMVs do not understand the full-timing concept. Polk County, home of the Escapees RV Club, does. You might want to go there for your licensing and registration.

[docj]

I suspect the OP simply provided the DMV office too much information. No need to discuss your RVing plans or how many nights a year you spend at that address.

 

You walk into the office, fill out the form for transferring a license from another state and give it to the clerk. No need to ask anything except "who do I make the check out to?" They may want to see some bills or mail that you have received at that address. Your cell phone bill should suffice or your annual Social Security statements, etc. If all your bills are online, just print one out that shows the address.

 

That will probably work at most offices. If you need more, have your relatives write you a lease on one room of their house. You can get a standard lease form online and you can make the rent a $1 a month. That should quiet even the biggest doubters.

[chirakawa]

I suspect the OP simply provided the DMV office too much information. No need to discuss your RVing plans or how many nights a year you spend at that address.

 

You walk into the office, fill out the form for transferring a license from another state and give it to the clerk. No need to ask anything except "who do I make the check out to?" They may want to see some bills or mail that you have received at that address. Your cell phone bill should suffice or your annual Social Security statements, etc. If all your bills are online, just print one out that shows the address.

 

That will probably work at most offices. If you need more, have your relatives write you a lease on one room of their house. You can get a standard lease form online and you can make the rent a $1 a month. That should quiet even the biggest doubters.

 

Agree.

 

I've been using a relative's address for years, nobody ever asked me if I sleep there. Just fill out the forms and pay the bill. Quit volunteering so much information.

 

Also, I doubt that Livingston even has a DMV office. Most counties use the County Tax Assessor/Collector to take care of vehicle registration. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) does driver's license, the DMV has nothing to do with driver's license.

[lapico]

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I guess I do ask too many questions. I'll try going to a different DPS office and just fill out the form without bringing up the RV. Most people just do not understand why anyone would want to live in an RV. We have been traveling for three years and love it. Have decided to domicile in Texas, because most of my family lives here. Also, chirakawa , you're correct about DPS. I actually meant to say DPS, not DMV. Just habit -- that's who handles it in most states. Thanks again.