Changing your address, license and voter registration

New York law requires you to tell the DMV within 10 days of any permanent address change if you hold a state driver license, learner permit, non-driver ID or a vehicle, boat or snowmobile registration. The same move can be reflected in your voter registration online. Neither one, on its own, changes where the state considers you domiciled for taxes, which the residency page explains.

The DMV: 10 days

The DMV’s Address Change form (MV-232) states the rule: notify the DMV within 10 days of any permanent address change. It also says not to report temporary changes, such as school or military addresses. The DMV’s page describes the paper route, which is to write the new address on the back of the license and on the front of the registration, drawing lines through the old address, and to mail the form. The state’s “Update My Address” page repeats the 10-day requirement.

When this page was checked, the DMV’s office-locations page said the online Change Your Address transaction was unavailable and pointed to an office visit or a mailed form. Check the DMV’s own page for the current options.

Voter registration

The state’s Board of Elections takes address updates through its Online Voter Registration portal, which requires a NY.gov ID, or on the paper voter registration form. The board explains that:

• completed applications go to the appropriate county board of elections for approval
• notices of a change of address received at least 15 days before a special, primary or general election must be processed in time for that election
• an application to change party enrollment for a primary must be received no later than February 14 of that year

The county board for the East End is the Suffolk County Board of Elections. The voter registration guide covers the Suffolk contacts and the dates.

What these changes do not do

A new license and voter registration are worth doing. They do not, by themselves, change your domicile for income tax. The state’s instructions say easily controlled factors such as where you vote and where your license and registration are issued are not primary factors. If you are keeping a New York City apartment as well, read the residency page before you tell anyone the East End is your permanent address.

Order of operations

1. Sign the lease and note the date.
2. Start electric and water service in your name; a recent utility bill is among the proofs of residency that school districts list.
3. File the DMV address change within 10 days of moving in.
4. Update your voter registration well before the next election.
5. Work through the rest of the move checklist.