To establish a domicile in Florida as a digital nomad/expat, follow the steps below. Establishing Florida residency is especially crucial for tax purposes and defending against potential state audits, particularly if transitioning from another state. Complying with these requirements ensures a smoother legal and financial process.
Florida residency can also be maintained while living permanently overseas, making it a viable option for expatriates with long-term arrangements outside the United States. This expands the scope of potential residents beyond digital nomads to include overseas expatriates.
Secure a residential address in Florida. SavvyNomad provides this as a service. Additionally, take steps to sever ties with your previous state of residence, such as selling property, ending lease agreements, and updating personal and voter records.
Obtain a Florida driver’s license. SavvyNomad assists with this, but you must fly to Florida to get it.
Register your vehicle in Florida (if you have one; otherwise, it is optional). SavvyNomad also assists with this.
File a Declaration of Domicile (optional in some cases). While a Declaration of Domicile can strengthen your Florida residency claim, it is not mandatory for everyone. If you've already severed ties with your previous state and updated your driver's license and financial accounts, this step may not be necessary. However, SavvyNomad includes it as part of our comprehensive service to ensure a strong residency claim.
Register to vote in Florida. SavvyNomad provides a quick and easy guide.
Notify the IRS by updating your address with Form 8822. We help you with that.
Update your financial accounts to reflect your Florida address.
Maintain Florida as your primary residence by using local services.
Also, you don't need to remember these steps since we have them on our portal. https://app.savvynomad.io/home?tab=To-Do
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I establish Florida residency while keeping overseas permanent residency? Yes, it is possible to establish and maintain Florida residency for purposes such as banking and voting, even if your primary home is overseas. Having a Florida address and meeting other residency requirements is key.
Does everyone need to file the Declaration of Domicile to prove their Florida residency? No, filing the Declaration of Domicile is not mandatory for everyone. It is primarily intended for those needing an additional step to formalize their domiciliary intent. If you have already taken steps like changing your driver's license and financial accounts, filing this document may not be required. Additionally, if you have previously lived in Florida for several years prior to using the SavvyNomad service, it is generally considered superfluous.
