How to Become a Florida Resident
Becoming a Florida Resident can lead to significant benefits in access to both beautiful beaches and tax benefits. One of the most important steps to becoming a resident is submitting a Declaration of Domicile. In Sarasota County you will need to fill out the Declaration of Domicile and bring it to the Recording Department on the first floor of 2000 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34247. You will also need to pay a $10.00 fee for recording the Declaration. A link to the Declaration of Residency form can be found below:
http://sarasotaclerk.com/FileLib/domicile.pdf
In addition to submitting the form above, consider taking the following steps to declare Florida as your residency:
- Change your voter registration to Florida and vote here
- Surrender your out-of-state driver’s license and obtain a Florida drivers license (or a Florida ID card if you do not drive)
- Register your cars in Florida
- If you belong to any out-of-state private clubs, change your status from resident to non-resident
- File your federal income tax using your Florida address
- If you have taxable assets that require it, file a Florida Intangible Personal Property Tax Return
- Make primary banking accounts in Florida
- Update estate planning documents using Florida documents and laws and declare yourself to be domiciled and a resident of Florida
- Document that the majority of your time is spent in Florida through receipts or other relevant documentation. Report yourself as a Florida resident and use your Florida address when traveling and staying in hotels
For help updating your estate planning documents to reflect your Florida residency, contact one of our experienced estate planning attorneys at (941) 906-1231.
