USPS Change of Address
Every moving adventure within the United States involves completing this form if you want your mail to follow you. Head to the USPS Website, and complete the form, and your first class mail will be forwarded to you for one year from the time you notify the Post Office of your move.
Driver's License
New Texas residents can legally drive with a valid, unexpired driver license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, Canadian province, or qualifying country for up to 90 days after moving to Texas. This gives you plenty of time to head to the Texas Department of Public Safety to get your license. Every individual applying for a license needs to be able to prove their identity, Social Security Number, US Citizenship or lawful presence status, and Texas residency. Full requirements can be found here. Driver's Licenses for adults are $25 and expire after six years. Moving in-state is nice as you can order a replacement Driver's License online for only $11. It's mailed to your new address. Texas Driver's Licenses are REAL ID Compliant, meaning that Texas meets the standards established by the standards in the Real ID Act. Texas Driver's Licenses are acceptable forms of identification for accessing Federal facilities, and for access to flying domestically within the United States and its territories.
Texas License Plates
In Texas, your local county tax-assessor collector's office handles documentation review and issuance of Texas License Plates. You have 30 days from the time you move here to register your vehicle in the state. You can review the specific requirements, and obtain an application here. Before you head to the tax office, you must first get insurance for your vehicle, and get an inspection. In Texas, you must show you have insurance coverage for a minimum of $30,000 per injured person, up to a total of $60,000 for everyone injured in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Take your car to a certified Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) inspection station and bring a copy of your insurance card with you. The inspection reviews a number of components. The complete list by class of vehicle is found here. Certain counties also require an emissions test, and your certified station will know whether or not this is required based on your address. Once your vehicle passes, they will provide you with a certificate and update a central database so that the tax collector's office will know this step has been completed. Finally, visit your local county tax-assessor collector office, and bring the following:
- Insurance card,
- Proof of vehicle inspection (the Vehicle Inspection Report from the inspection station)
- Proof you own the vehicle, such as the registration or title from your previous state
Register to Vote
To vote in Texas, you must be registered. Simply pick up a voter registration application, fill it out, and mail it at least 30 days before the election date. You can register to vote when you obtain or renew your Texas Driver's License or get your application here. For more information about how to register, consider the Secretary of State's information page.
Utilities
Natural Gas
Atmos Energy services the Texas Panhandle, North and Central Texas: CenterPoint Energy services Houston, Galveston, Beaumont and the Gulf Coast
Electricity Choice
Deregulation began with Texas Senate Bill 7, which created the Electric Utility Restructuring Legislative Oversight Committee on January 1, 2002. As a result, 85% of Texans have the ability to choose their electric service provider. We recommend using Power to Choose, which is the unbiased electric choice website of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. The website is available to all electric providers to list their offers for free. Here, you can compare offers and choose the electric plan that’s right for you.
Other Utilities
City Governments typically handle water, garbage and recycling.Internet / Phone / Cable/Satellite TV
AT&T (DirecTV)
Spectrum
DISH TV
Taxes
No State Income Tax!Property Taxes are Typically collected by the County, but you should confirm this when buying real property.
