Becoming a WA resident (for sale, car registration, home)

[kvitkalily]

I'm moving to Washington from Illinois for graduate school, and at this juncture I'm not planning on staying in WA after I graduate, but I will have to live there for 4-5 years while I get my degree. Do I ever need to officially become a WA resident (change my driver's license, register to vote in WA, etc.), or can I just live there as a non-resident and keep my residency in Illinois? If my car is registered in WA and I buy a home in WA, am I automatically considered to have "established residency"? The WA DMV website says that I have to get a WA driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency, but they don't say what exactly is considered "establishing residency". The thing is, since I don't think I will remain in WA for longer than 4-5 years, I don't want to have to go through the process of changing residency in WA and then again when I move back to IL (unless, of course, I have to). Does anyone know anything about this??

[Redline]

I'm not sure what the significance of changing your residency status is but I'm going to assume that once you get a mailing address in WA state you will be considered a resident there.

[Macrina]

Originally Posted by Redline

I'm not sure what the significance of changing your residency status is but I'm going to assume that once you get a mailing address in WA state you will be considered a resident there.

But when one is considered a resident, one is expected to get the WA driver's license and car registration, and I just don't think that is required for students who do not intend to become permanent residents.

Ummm, I think there must be a whole sub-set of requirements and rules for students, but I don't know where to find that info.

I will say that WA doesn't things differently than several other states, so it's worth checking into.

LOL I'm no help

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by Macrina

But when one is considered a resident, one is expected to get the WA driver's license and car registration, and I just don't think that is required for students who do not intend to become permanent residents.

Ummm, I think there must be a whole sub-set of requirements and rules for students, but I don't know where to find that info.

I will say that WA doesn't things differently than several other states, so it's worth checking into.

LOL I'm no help

I'd check with the local DMV, but when we faced moving out-of-state for my husband's post-grad education, we found that most states required anyone living in their state for more than a couple months (at most) to change over their driver's and car licensing.

If I recall correctly, someone else posted that the DMV requires you to update your licensing if you'll be living in WA for more than just a temporary time-frame for work.

The whole student thing is a bit wonky. While many states consider out-of-state undergrads differently than most other relocations, I've not found yet where they do the same with post-grad students. But that could just be our experience.

I'd definitely check with the local DMV.

[princessvanessa]

Found on Department of Revenue Washington State:
Web site: Washington State residency definition

Washington State residency definition
Persons are considered residents of this state for sales and use tax purposes if they take actions which indicate that they intend to live in this state on more than a temporary or transient basis. A person may be considered a resident of this state even though the person is a resident of another state.

The Department of Revenue presumes that a person is a resident of this state if he or she does any of the following:
• Maintains a residence in Washington for personal use;
• Lives in a motor home or vessel which is not permanently attached to any property if the person previously lived in this state and does not have a permanent residence in any other state;
• Is registered to vote in this state;
• Receives benefits under one of Washington's public assistance programs;
• Has a state professional or business license in this state;
• Is attending school in this state and paying tuition as a Washington resident or is a custodial parent with a child attending a public school in this state;
• Uses a Washington address for federal or state taxes;
• Has a Washington State driver's license; or
• Claims Washington as a residence for obtaining a hunting or fishing license, eligibility to hold public office or for judicial actions.
Persons may rebut the presumption of residency if they provide other facts which show that they do not intend to reside in this state on either a temporary or permanent basis. A Washington resident who intends to move at a future date, however, will be considered a Washington resident.