Choosing a Domicile State and Getting Mail on The Road

Digital Nomad Domicile State

One of the key elements to the Full Time RV Lifestyle is establishing how you get your mail and your Legal Address. - How much you pay in Taxes, Health Insurance, and what it costs to register and Insure your RV, can represent a large portion of your income. Since these numbers vary greatly depending on your locale, Cheap RV Living is highly dependent on choosing the right Domicile State. You can certainly maintain Domicile/Residence in your current state, but you may find several advantages to making the switch.

What is the difference between Domicile and Residence?: - For most people they are one in the same. If you live and work in the same state, or even if you commute daily across the state line, the address of your house or apartment is your Permanent Residence.

Many people travel full time for work (truck drivers, flight attendants, etc.), or they live in one state and spend 6 months of the year working in another. For them, the idea of Choosing a Domicile State can be very appealing. I once met a cruise ship employee who said, “I live on this boat, but my stuff is in Texas.” - She was taking advantage of “Domicile”. Since she only spent a few weeks of the year on dry land, it made far more financial sense for her to Domicile in Texas rather than maintain her old address in California. So she found a “roommate” in Houston who would store her possessions, let her use the address for mail, and crash on the couch when she wasn't at sea.

If you are Full Time RV, Skoolie, or Vanlife, your Home is on wheels and it can be anywhere you want. Your Domicile is simply the address you use for mail, taxes, insurance, and vehicle registration. - You don't even have to actually live there.

Can I “move” to another state in which I don't rent or own property?: - Legally, the term Domicile refers to your permanent home, or the place to which you intend to return. If you can't find a “roommate”, as described above, there’s still a way to legally establish Domicile and Intent to Return to several favorable states, making that your Legal Address. Here are the basic steps:

  1. Start with a Mail Forwarding Service. - They will set up a Domicile Address for you and forward your mail to wherever you request. It's not free, so be sure to “go electronic” and “opt out” of any type mail you don't absolutely need (Credit Card offers, Newsletters, etc.).

  2. Stay in your Domicile State for the required amount of time. - It can be as little as 24 hours. -You may need to file an “Affidavit of Domicile”, but help is available.

  3. Register Your Vehicle and get plates for the new state. - You don't have to be a resident to register a vehicle, but use the address you received from the Mail Forwarding Service.

  4. Purchase Vehicle Insurance and Health Insurance from your new address. - The money you'll save is the most common reason people Domicile in the first place.

  5. Get a Driver's License in your new State. - They will ask for 2 pieces of mail. - Use the Registration and Insurance Documentation that you received at your new address to prove Residency.

  6. Register To Vote. - Even if you don't typically vote in local elections, doing this will strongly solidify your Domicile. *Note: If you are already registered in your previous state, be sure to inform them that “you have moved” and be taken off the rolls. - Your new state will offer some form of Vote By Mail or absentee ballot. No worries if you're out of town on election day.

  7. Switch your banking address. - Most banks and credit unions will allow you to simply change your address and “home branch”, but in some cases you may need to actually switch banks. It is usually advantageous to do so and will help avoid any potential challenges to your Domicile. - Update your address with any Credit Cards or Subscription Services as well.

  8. Update your Business Address. - If you need a Business License or Corporate Headquarters, you should update those also, as well as anything else that ties you to your previous state (local club memberships, storage units, etc.).

I want to keep my current house and Rent it out: - You can still Domicile out of state. You might need to establish yourself as a Property Management Company, and/or hire a local manger, but it can easily be done. Consult with a Tax Professional for the best options.

What is the best Domicile State for Full Time RV Living?: - Three states top the list. None of them have a State Income Tax. They all have established Mail Forwarding Services, and offer other conveniences for Full Time Nomads. Each has a few quirks so personal preference comes into play:

Domicile in South Dakota

#1. South Dakota. - The quickest and easiest State to establish Domicile. All you need is a receipt for a one night stay at an RV Park to establish Residency, and you can register your vehicle by mail, without an inspection. The only real concerns with SD are Health Insurance (few choices exist), and Vehicle Registration (your vehicle weight and number of wheels is a factor). The location may seem problematic for some, but it's a beautiful state to visit, and you only need to make a trip back once every 5 years to renew your Driver's License. - Click for More Info on South Dakota.

Domicile In Texas

#2. Texas. - The biggest downside to Texas is the Annual Vehicle Inspection, but it can be deferred if you're out of state. (You have 30 days upon returning.) Also, a large Skoolie or RV may require a special driver's license (not a CDL). The test is cheap, and an Air Brake Endorsement isn't required (even if you have air brakes). There is no tax on Vehicle Transfers (6% on new purchases). RV and Health Insurance are relatively inexpensive, and the state is user-friendly for small businesses. In addition, Texas has very favorable laws regarding Home-Schooling for those who travel with kids. - Click for More Info on Texas.

Domicile In Florida

#3. Florida. - With More RV Parks and Heath Insurance options than any other state, Florida has been a top choice for snow-birds and retirees for decades. You will pay substantially more for RV Insurance, however, and you can't register your vehicle by mail, so you'll be making regular trips back. Most Nomads that choose Florida do so because they already spend a lot of time in the state. - The process of establishing a Florida Domicile takes longer, and is more complicated than Texas or SD, though only slightly. - Click for More Info on Florida.

Join Escapees

Perhaps the biggest advantage to South Dakota, Texas, or Florida is the availability of “Escapees RV Club” to walk you through the process. From Establishing an Address, Mail Forwarding, getting a license, and even options for Insurance, Escapees has your back. They will literally give you step-by-step instructions. - If you aren't already a member, we strongly advise you do so. Even if you're not Domiciled in one of these states, they offer great benefits and discounts for the Full Time Nomad, or anyone who enjoys camping and travel. - Click the image and check them out!

Honorable Mention: - Three more states are worth considering. - All have no State Income Tax, but there may be issues elsewhere. They're great places to live, but establishing Domicile is tricky. None of them will accept a Mail Forwarding Service Address, so if you don't have a friend or family member who will be a “roommate”, you'll need to get creative.

#4. Wyoming. - Cheap Insurance, moderate Taxes, small-business and home-school friendly. Were it not so difficult to establish Domicile, this could easily be number 2 or 3.

#5. Nevada. - Here, a 30 day stay at an RV Park will (in most cases) establish Residency. You might wind up with the park's address on your driver's license, but could still use a Forwarding Service for your mail. An initial Vehicle Inspection is Required. Taxes and Health Insurance tend to be slightly below average, but RV Insurance is higher than most, unless you happen to be in a smallish camp trailer. – It's worth doing the research if that's the case.

#6. Washington. - I personally Love this state, and can’t say enough great things about it. Sadly, if you don’t already live there, establishing Domicile is an uphill climb. The DMV can be difficult to work with, and licensing requirements are more complicated than in other states. RV Insurance is slightly higher than average, and limited options exist for Health Insurance.

Tennessee, Alaska, and New Hampshire also have no State Income Tax, but they're each behind the curve on most categories, or for various other reasons. They are worth considering if you have family or other ties to the state, but if not, they are a distant #7, 8 and 9.

We've created the following chart to cross-reference the most common concerns.

Freedom is closer than you think.