Establish Residency, Vote and Drive
Thinking about making Florida your primary residence? Establishing residency is an important step—especially when it comes to taxes, voting, and legal considerations. Below is a straightforward guide to help you navigate the process here along the Emerald Coast.
Establishing Residency
There are five ways to establish your Florida resident status:
– Obtain a Florida Driver’s License and Automobile Registration
– Register to vote
– File your federal income tax return in Florida
– Redraft your will showing your Florida residence and have it notarized
– File a declaration of domicile with the county records division
Voter Registration
If you are at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the U.S. and a resident of Okaloosa or Walton County, you are eligible to become a registered voter. Voter registration books are open year round, however you must register at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election.
Registration is available through the County Elections Office. There are many satellite registration sites throughout the counties. For more information call (850)651-7272 in Okaloosa County and (850)892-8112 in Walton County.
Driver’s Licenses
The State of Florida requires that new residents obtain a Florida driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residence, becoming employed or registering a child in school.
Drivers must be at least 16 years old to qualify for a driver’s license; 15 years old to get a restricted permit. First time drivers must complete a drug, and alcohol education class, which is offered at most high schools. Those under the age of 18 must also furnish proof that they are either in school or a high school graduate.
To obtain a Florida Driver’s license, first register your automobile in the State of Florida. Bring proof of your Florida registration, your social security number and your valid, out-of-state license to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Drivers with a valid license are just required to take and pass a vision test. If your license has expired, be prepared to take a traffic laws test, along with vision, hearing and (sorry) even a road test.
Appointments are recommended, residents of Okaloosa County may call (850)833-9123 and residents of Walton County may call (850)892-8085 to schedule an appointment.
License Plates/Vehicle Registration
Florida tags must be purchased within 10 days of establishing residence, employment or enrollment of a child in school. Bring your title, registration, proof of insurance and your vehicle identification number to the Tax Collector’s office. For more information or office locations call (850)651-7300 in Okaloosa County and (850)892-8121 in Walton County.
Rules of the Road
Lights on! When driving in the rain (day or night), at dusk or in fog, full headlights are required. In Florida, a right turn on a red light is permitted after a full stop, unless specifically prohibited by sign or signal.
Seat belts are required. All front seat occupants of cars, pick-up trucks and vans must buckle up or the driver faces fines. Children age six and under must be buckled up regardless of where they are sitting. Children ages four and five must be secured in either a seat belt or approved child restraint seat; children under the age of four must be secured in an approved car seat. Again, failure to keep your children buckled may result in significant fines.
Florida police may immediately seize the license of anyone arrested for driving under the influence or anyone refusing to submit to a breath, blood or urine test. Driving under the influence is defined by a .08 percent blood alcohol concentration.
Tax Information
Florida still offers its residents several tax advantages. There is no state income tax, gift tax or inheritance tax (except for that portion of the federal tax returned to the state by the federal government).
Sales Tax
Florida’s state sales tax is currently 6%. Most groceries and prescription medications are exempt. Okaloosa and Walton Counties each add a 1% local discretionary sales surtax, bringing the total to 7% in these areas. These funds are typically used for a variety of local needs, including infrastructure and public facilities such as schools.
Bed Tax
Okaloosa and Walton counties have imposed - respectively - bed tax rates of 6% and 5%.
Homestead Exemption
Filing for Florida residency makes you eligible for the Homestead Exemption, one of the state’s most valuable property tax benefits for full-time residents.
The first $25,000 of a home’s assessed value is exempt from all property taxes, including school taxes.
An additional $25,000 exemption (on values between $50,000 and $75,000) applies to non-school taxes only.
Homestead status also activates protections under Florida’s Save Our Homes Amendment, which limits annual increases in assessed value—helping keep property taxes predictable over time.
Applications must be filed by March 1 of the year you are seeking the exemption. Filing can typically be completed online, by mail, or in person, depending on the county.
For more information:
Okaloosa County Property Appraiser: (850) 689-5900
Walton County Property Appraiser: (850) 892-8123
Intangible Tax
Florida’s annual intangible personal property tax was repealed in 2007. However, a nonrecurring intangible tax of 0.2% (2 mills) still applies to new mortgages or liens filed on Florida real estate. This one-time, $2 per $1,000 fee is typically paid at closing and applies to the loan amount.
Wills
Since Florida does not have an inheritance tax, your heirs may benefit if you transfer your securities and personal property to this state. To do this you must first become a legal resident. For more information, please contact your attorney.
For Our Seniors
There are many communities, residential centers and services available here for seniors. AARP Tax Aide provides seniors with free assistance in completing their income tax returns. Another program designed for seniors is the 55/Alive Mature Driving program. These classes are designed to help mature drivers enhance their driving skills. Under Florida statutes, drivers over 65 who take one of these state approved driving courses can earn a three year discount on their auto insurance premiums.
Guide to Pet Licenses
Dogs and cats four months and older must be registered and vaccinated yearly. Licenses are available through your local veterinarian or the county. Leash laws are strictly enforced. Call the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) (850)243-1525; in Walton County call the Humane Society at (850)892-7873 for information.