Within 30 days of moving to Florida, you must: (1) Obtain Florida driver's license within 30 days, (2) Register vehicle within 10 days of employment/school enrollment, (3) Update auto insurance to Florida requirements, (4) Establish residency for homestead exemption by January 1, (5) File homestead exemption by March 1 deadline to save up to $50,000 on property taxes.
The Complete Moving to Florida Timeline
30 Days BEFORE Your Move
| Task | Why It Matters | Where to Do It |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Medical Records | Florida doctors need your history, prescriptions, immunization records (especially for kids) | Request from current doctor, forward to new FL doctor |
| Research Schools & Enroll | Popular schools fill up. Some districts have choice/magnet deadlines | Volusia County Schools: volusiaschools.org |
| Schedule Utilities Setup | FPL (electric) can take 3-5 business days. Water/trash varies by city | FPL: fpl.com | City utilities: varies |
| Notify Current Employer | Remote work arrangements, forwarding W-2s, final paychecks | HR department |
| Update Insurance | Florida requires higher auto insurance minimums. Homeowners insurance different | Contact current agent or get FL quotes |
| Forward Mail | USPS forwarding takes 7-10 days to activate | USPS.com/move or local post office |
First 10 Days AFTER Arrival
If you are employed in Florida OR enroll children in Florida public schools, you must register your vehicle within 10 days. Failure results in fines and late fees. If neither applies, you have 30 days.
| Task | Deadline | Cost | What You Need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Registration | 10 days (if employed/kids in school) | $225-$500 (title transfer + registration + plates) | Out-of-state title, FL insurance card, proof of identity, VIN inspection (some counties) |
| Update Auto Insurance | Before registering vehicle | Varies (FL often higher than other states) | Florida requires: $10K property damage, $10K personal injury (minimum) |
| Verify Utilities Active | Upon arrival | Deposits: $100-$300 | Account number, photo ID, payment method |
First 30 Days AFTER Arrival
| Task | Deadline | Cost | Where to Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Driver's License | 30 days | $54 (8-year license) | Volusia County Tax Collector offices (Port Orange, Daytona, NSB, Ormond) |
| Update Voter Registration | No deadline (but required for full residency) | Free | Online: registertovoteflorida.gov or Tax Collector office |
| Find Primary Care Doctor | ASAP | Varies by insurance | Check insurance network, read reviews |
| Establish Banking | First 2 weeks | Free | Local branches or online (need FL address) |
| Update Address Everywhere | First 30 days | Free | Banks, credit cards, subscriptions, IRS, Social Security |
Documents Needed for Florida Driver's License
| Document Type | Examples (Need at least one from each category) |
|---|---|
| Primary ID | U.S. passport, birth certificate with raised seal, Certificate of Naturalization |
| Social Security Proof | Social Security card, W-2, pay stub with full SSN, 1099 |
| Residential Address (2 required) | Deed, mortgage statement, utility bill, bank statement, voter registration card (must show FL address) |
Pro Tip: Make appointment online at volusiatax.gov to avoid 2-3 hour waits at Tax Collector offices. Bring ORIGINAL documents—no copies accepted.
The Critical Homestead Exemption Deadline
To qualify for homestead exemption (saves up to $50,000 on property taxes annually), you must: (1) Own and occupy property as permanent residence by January 1, (2) File application with Volusia County Property Appraiser by March 1. Missing this deadline means waiting an ENTIRE YEAR and losing $2,000-$5,000+ in tax savings for that year.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Ownership & Occupancy | Must own legal title AND live in property as permanent residence by January 1 of tax year |
| Filing Deadline | March 1 annually (if March 1 falls on weekend, deadline is next business day) |
| Where to File | Volusia County Property Appraiser: vcpa.vcgov.org (online) or in-person at DeLand office |
| Documents Needed | Florida driver's license or ID card showing property address, Social Security numbers for all owners, deed or recorded instrument number |
| Renewal | Automatic once approved—you don't reapply annually unless you move |
Homestead Exemption Savings Calculator
| Home Value | Without Homestead | With Homestead | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | ~$5,400/year | ~$4,600/year | ~$800/year |
| $400,000 | ~$7,200/year | ~$6,200/year | ~$1,000/year |
| $500,000 | ~$9,000/year | ~$7,800/year | ~$1,200/year |
60-90 Days: Establishing Your Florida Life
| Task | Timeline | Why Important |
|---|---|---|
| Find Specialists | First 2-3 months | Dentist, eye doctor, any specialty doctors you need |
| Explore Neighborhoods | First 3 months | Find favorite restaurants, grocery stores, parks, beaches |
| Meet Neighbors | First 3 months | Build local connections, get area recommendations |
| Join Local Groups | First 3 months | Facebook groups, HOA meetings, community events |
| Hurricane Preparation | Before June 1 (season start) | Supply kit, insurance review, evacuation plan |
Florida-Specific Things to Know
No State Income Tax
Florida has no state income tax, but this is offset by higher property insurance (hurricane risk) and property taxes compared to some states. Overall tax burden is still typically lower than high-tax states like NY, NJ, CA.
Homeowners & Flood Insurance
Florida homeowners insurance is significantly more expensive than other states ($3,000-$8,000+ annually vs $1,000-$2,000 in other states). Flood insurance is separate and required in certain flood zones. Budget accordingly. Read my complete flood insurance guide.
Hurricane Season (June 1 - November 30)
You must prepare for hurricane season. This means having a supply kit, evacuation plan, and understanding your evacuation zone. See my hurricane preparation guide.
Different Driving Culture
Florida drivers are aggressive and distracted. I-4 (Orlando corridor) is one of deadliest highways in America. Drive defensively, especially as snowbird season (November-April) brings more traffic.
Wildlife Encounters
Alligators are common near any water. Never feed them, keep dogs on leash near water, don't swim in retention ponds. Also watch for snakes, especially after heavy rains.
Volusia County-Specific Resources
| Service | Provider | Website/Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | Florida Power & Light (FPL) | fpl.com | 1-800-226-3545 |
| Water/Trash | Varies by city (Port Orange, NSB, Daytona, Edgewater each different) | Contact city utilities department |
| Driver's License | Volusia County Tax Collector | volusiatax.gov | Make appointment online |
| Homestead Exemption | Volusia County Property Appraiser | vcpa.vcgov.org |
| Schools | Volusia County Schools | volusiaschools.org |
| Voter Registration | Volusia County Supervisor of Elections | volusiaelections.gov |
📥 Download the Complete Moving to Florida Checklist (PDF)
Get the full printable checklist with ALL deadlines, documents needed, and phone numbers. Plus, I'll send you my exclusive "New to Volusia County" guide with local tips only residents know.
Moving Checklist Quick Reference:
- ✅ 10 Days: Register vehicle (if employed or kids in school)
- ✅ 30 Days: Get Florida driver's license
- ✅ 60 Days: Explore area, find doctors, join local groups
- ✅ January 1: Must own & occupy property for homestead
- ✅ March 1: File homestead exemption (critical deadline!)