Answered3 months ago

What are the steps to change my domicile from Virginia to Florida before moving to Thailand?

Domicile Change Florida Residency Virginia Tax Issues State Tax Complications Moving to Thailand Mail Forwarding Services

Cindy ***********

asked Aug 5, 2026

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Any former Virginians here who changed their domicile to Florida? 🌊✈️

Hi everyone! 

My husband and I are planning our move to Thailand late next year. Before we make the big leap, we want to officially change our domicile to Florida to avoid state tax complications.

Virginia is notorious for being a "sticky state" when it comes to cutting tax ties—especially when moving overseas. We plan to completely sell our Virginia house and cars before we leave, but we are looking for firsthand experiences from anyone who successfully transitioned their domicile to Florida right before moving to Thailand. If you've done this, I would love to know:

-What specific steps did you take to prove to Virginia you were gone for good?

-Did you establish a Florida physical address using a mail forwarding/domicile service (like Escapees or St. Brendan's Isle)?

-Did you run into any tax audits or issues with the Virginia Department of Taxation later on?

Any insights, tips, or lessons learned would be incredibly appreciated. Thank you in advance! 🙏🙂

Answer summary

The user is seeking advice and experiences from others who have changed their domicile from Virginia to Florida in preparation for a move to Thailand. They want to avoid Virginia's tax laws and are interested in the specific steps to prove their residency change, usage of mail forwarding services, and any potential tax issues they might face. The comments include shared experiences regarding domicile changes to Florida and South Dakota, along with tips on establishing residency, banking, and handling vehicle registrations.

8 repliesnewest first

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Josh ***********

Look into south dakota..... non docimile state as its on the dl application. Can get a license and needed items after 1 day in state No state tax... low car registration fee... only thing is need to return 5 yrs to renew DL. I use a service in Box Elder. They will hold and forward my mail as needed.... only issue ive had in 10 yrs. Is some banks wil not allow the non docimile address. ( ie my schwabb and capital one do not....my mbna. Does. The service cost as little as 100 a yr. For the mail service. And as I said need to return every 5 yr for DL renewal

3 months ago

Cindy ***********

Out of three states (FL, SD, TX) with no state taxes, FL is the closest to VA so we naturally are (were) considering FL. We also have Schwab and Capital One accounts which are supposed to be expats friendly as long as US street address is maintained. I read somewhere someone obtained SD license after staying in a hotel for one night but wasn’t sure that was really possible. May I ask what type address you used for the license? We will sell our cars as well. We want to keep our licenses but the goal is not to drive in Thailand. Thank you!

3 months ago

Josh ***********

Cindy Starleigh follow up im not familiar with FL or TX. But I researched long ago and if I remember you needed a physical address. There to get a DL

3 months ago

Josh ***********

As for as the banking. Both my capital one and schwabb allow me to have SD as a residency and taxes. But need a physical street address added for there rules. So my address for taxes is SD. But for card services its a family address.

3 months ago

Josh ***********

Cindy Starleigh I drive in thialand often. But rent a car as its cheap when I need one and use a IDF permit. They are good for 1 yr

3 months ago

Josh ***********

Cindy Starleigh. 1 st. Step is to get a mail servic and have 1 piece of mail delivered there with your name and address on it. Once thats there have it either sent to where you are or pick it up once in SD. Then go anywhere in SD and stay one night using that SD address. On the receipt. Then go to license branch the next day. With one piece of mail and the receipt. Surrendering your VA license and you'll walk out with a SD license. To register ypur car. You have to accully go to the county that your SD address is in and go to courthouse. SD is. Title hold state. So the physical car title must be in hand as turned into the courthouse. If car is on contract the bank must send title to courthouse before plates. As far as banking. I use a family address for my schwabb and cap one. But the others I use my SD address. BTW. To title and plate the vehicles. You can use a service. Mine were plated without me in the state thru the mail service I use. Giving them power of attorney. It was less complicated and not really overpriced. Vs driving all the way to box elder... I did my DL. Just inside the border near Mitchell ( ie the corn pallace.place) ive never been to boxelder even though thats where my residency is. Only other thi g to k ow is if ypu want a SD carry permit. You have to spend 30 days in the county your applying in. Other wise its 1 day every 5 years for residency

3 months ago

Somsap ********

I am domiciled in California, get my physical mail at my sisters house, but am thinking about moving my residency elsewhere. Have you thought about South Dakota? I believe you can get residency and a drivers license in a day or so using a hotel. I didn’t know Florida was easy like that. I’m not sure if California will assess an exit tax too, keeping an eye on your journey.

3 months ago

Athena **********

Bump! Saving this post! I’ll also be leaving VA to live overseas!

3 months ago