Moving to Alabama checklist: the new resident steps from official sources

The first deadline on most new Alabama residents’ lists is the vehicle. The Alabama Department of Revenue says the owner of a non-commercial vehicle with a valid registration from another jurisdiction has thirty days from the date the vehicle enters the state to register it. The other steps below follow from there, each with the office that handles it.

Rules change, so open each source before you act. This is general information, not legal advice. For the larger picture of a move, see the Redstone Arsenal relocation guide.

The steps at a glance

Step	What the official source says	Office
Register your vehicle	Thirty days from the date the vehicle enters Alabama	Your county licensing official
Transfer your driver license	At an ALEA office, with your license and Social Security card	ALEA
File a homestead exemption	Apply at your local county office	County tax office
Register to vote	Online or by mailed form	Secretary of State and county Board of Registrars
Start utilities	Depends on the address	Your utility provider
Enroll children	Depends on the district	School district

Register your vehicle

Section 40-12-262 of the Code of Alabama, as quoted by the Department of Revenue, gives the owner of a non-commercial vehicle with valid registration from another jurisdiction thirty days from the date the vehicle enters the state to register it. The Department tells owners to contact their local licensing official’s office. Madison, Limestone and Morgan Counties each have their own license plate issuing office.

The Department also notes that liability insurance is verified through the state’s online system when plates are issued. Ask your insurer about Alabama coverage before you arrive.

Transfer your driver license

ALEA’s page says out-of-state license transfers must be made at an ALEA office. It lists these items:

• Your out-of-state driver license
• Your Social Security card
• One item from the primary list on ALEA’s page
• Proof of school enrollment or graduation, if you are younger than 19

The fees listed are a $5 transfer fee and $36.25 to purchase the license, with no checks. A 4% convenience fee applies to credit cards. The ALEA page does not state a deadline in days. The Redstone Arsenal newcomers page lists “driver’s license and car tags within 30 days” for permanent residents, so plan to do both early. Check with ALEA for your own case.

File a homestead exemption

The Department of Revenue defines a homestead as a single-family owner-occupied dwelling and the land, not exceeding 160 acres. You may be entitled to an exemption if you own it and occupy it as your primary residence on the first day of the tax year you apply for. The Department says to “visit your local county office to apply.”

The county that taxes a home depends on its address. Madison County, Limestone County and Morgan County each have a tax office. Because county deadlines and forms can differ, ask the office for yours as soon as you close. The cost of living post explains the exemption amounts the Department lists.

Register to vote

The Alabama Secretary of State lets residents apply online. You can also print the Alabama Voter Registration Form, fill it out and mail it to the Board of Registrars in your county. The Elections Division can mail a form if you call 1-800-274-8683.

After your eligibility is confirmed, the county mails a Voter Identification Card. The Secretary of State says you are not required to bring that card when you vote. The page does not give a registration deadline, so ask your county Board of Registrars before an election.

Set up utilities

The provider depends on the address, so ask the seller, the landlord or the city. Some examples from official pages:

• Huntsville Utilities serves electric, gas and water in Huntsville and offers a Start or Transfer Residential Service option on its website. Its outage line is 256-535-4448.
• In Madison, the city says household garbage service is provided by Madison County Sanitation (256-532-3718) and yard debris and large items by Republic Services (256-327-4449).
• In Athens, the city site lists Athens Utilities and in Decatur, Decatur Utilities.

Madison and some other areas have more than one provider, so confirm per address. The Huntsville and Madison community guides list local services.

Enroll children in school

The district depends on the address’s tax district, not the mailing city. Madison City Schools takes online applications and lists a birth certificate, an Alabama immunization record, photo ID of the enrolling parent or guardian, custody documentation if applicable, a transcript or recent report card and proof of residency. Madison County Schools requires all students to enroll through the PowerSchool Enrollment Portal.

The Madison schools post has the zone tools and steps for both districts.

If you are coming to Redstone Arsenal

The Gen. John J. Pershing Community Welcome Center in Building 3443 is, in the Garrison’s words, the front door for transferring soldiers, civilian and contractor employees and their families. The One Stop in Building 3494 houses the Garrison Military Personnel Office for ID cards and CAC. The Army Community Service Relocation Assistance office is at 3443 Aerobee Road and can be reached at 256-876-5397.

A simple order of work

1. Before the move, list the offices above and note their phone numbers.
2. In the first week, start utilities and check your vehicle’s insurance.
3. Within thirty days of arriving, register the vehicle and plan the driver license visit.
4. After closing, ask the county office about the homestead exemption.
5. Register to vote and enroll children once you have proof of residency.

If you would like the full step list in one place, request the relocation guide. You can also search homes for sale when you are ready.