A new state means new rules for licenses, vehicles, taxes and voting, and most of the deadlines run from the day you become a resident. The state itself is the authority on each rule, so this checklist points to the sources and shows an order that works.
Before you leave
Start with records and notices. Request school, medical and veterinary records, collect the policy numbers for insurance, and arrange for mail to follow you. The USPS change of address form lets you set a start date for forwarding.
Make a list of every account that sends you a bill or a statement. The change-of-address checklist has the full set.
- Ask your current doctors for copies of records or a transfer.
- Cancel or transfer gym, club and utility accounts for a date after the move.
- Keep originals of birth certificates, passports and titles in a bag that travels with you.
The first week in Nevada
Set up electricity, water, internet and trash for the day you arrive. Locate the nearest DMV office and book an appointment, since offices can fill up. The driver's license and vehicle registration pages in the Reno guide explain what to bring.
Update your address with your bank, employer and insurers, and open a local bank account if you want one.
The 30-day deadlines
Nevada's statutes set the clock. NRS 483.245 says a new resident must obtain a Nevada driver's license within 30 days, and NRS 482.385 says a vehicle must be registered within 30 days after becoming a resident, or when the license is issued, whichever is earlier. Check the DMV for the documents each step needs.
Vehicles may also need an emissions check depending on the county, so read the smog check page before your DMV visit.
Voting, taxes and the household
Register to vote in the new state from the state's election office. Nevada has no state individual income tax, but your old state may require a final or part-year return, so ask a tax professional. The taxes in Nevada page lists what changes.
Update pet licenses, library cards and school enrollment. If you have children, begin the school search early; the schools page is a starting point.
Moving the belongings
A move between states is an interstate move, and federal rules under 49 CFR Part 375 govern the estimate, the inventory and the bill of lading. Get the details on how interstate moves work. O'Brien's is a Bekins Van Lines agent, and the Bekins network carries the shipment. Call 775-359-6683 to book the free in-home estimate on the Reno end.