Moving to Texas: checklist for agencies and household bills

By the BillAnswers team · Updated November 3, 2026 · How we check facts

New Texas residents have 30 days to register a vehicle and should get a Texas driver license within 90 days of moving, registering the vehicle first (TxDMV and DPS). Register to vote with your county voter registrar at least 30 days before an election, and file a USPS change of address, which takes 7 to 10 business days to start. Then set up electricity, internet and home or renters insurance at the new address.

The checklist at a glance

Every deadline below comes from the agency's own page, read October 20, 2026. Agencies change their pages, so check the source links before you act.

1. Vehicle: inspection, then registration

TxDMV says: "You have 30 days from the time you move here to register your vehicle in the state."

Emissions counties first. If you live in Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis or Williamson County, TxDMV says you need a passing emissions inspection before you register.

Insurance. TxDMV says you must show liability coverage of at least $30,000 per injured person, up to $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.

What to bring to the county tax assessor-collector office:

1. Form 130-U (Application for Texas Title and/or Registration), required for first-time registrants.
2. Your insurance card.
3. Proof of ownership, such as the title or registration from your previous state.
4. Inspection results, if your county requires one.

2. Driver license: within 90 days

TxDMV's new-resident steps say to get a Texas driver license from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) within 90 days of moving. DPS says you can drive on a valid out-of-state, U.S. territory, Canadian or qualifying foreign license for up to 90 days after you move here.

DPS also says: "Before applying for a Texas driver license, ensure all your vehicles are registered." If your license is from another U.S. state, a U.S. territory or Canada, you surrender it, and DPS says adults with a valid out-of-state license, or one expired less than two years, are exempt from the knowledge and skills exams. A foreign license that is not in English or Spanish must be translated before you arrive.

3. Voter registration

The Texas Secretary of State lists three requirements: be a U.S. citizen, be a resident of the county, and be 18 (you may register at 17 years and 10 months). Texas registration is county based. You can fill out the application online, but the Secretary of State says you then print it and mail it to the voter registrar in your county. Postage-paid applications are also available from your registrar, and at many post offices and libraries.

VoteTexas.gov says: "Texas law requires eligible voters to register by the 30th day before Election Day." If you already are registered in Texas and moved, VoteTexas.gov says you can update your registration online through Texas.gov.

4. USPS change of address

File on the official USPS Change of Address website, which charges a small identity verification fee, or at your local Post Office with photo ID. USPS says to allow at least 7 to 10 business days after approval for the request to take effect. Standard mail forwarding lasts 12 months, and fully prepaid periodicals are forwarded for 60 days.

5. Electricity

The PUCT says you can choose your electric provider if you live in the ERCOT region and are not served by an electric cooperative or a city-owned utility. Check your new ZIP code on Power to Choose, compare plans by their Electricity Facts Labels in the true-cost calculator, and agree on a start date. The steps, the ID details a provider asks for and the deposit rules are in how to set up electricity when you move.

6. Internet

On the FCC National Broadband Map, search your exact address. When you select the location point, the map shows which providers report offering service there, the type of service and the maximum advertised speeds. Our Texas home internet guides explain broadband labels, plans without a credit check and rural options.

7. Home or renters insurance

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) says renters insurance is not required by law, but some landlords might require it. If you have a mortgage, ask your lender what coverage it requires. See is renters insurance required in Texas and how to lower your home insurance cost, both built on TDI's own guidance.

8. Home warranty (optional)

TDLR, the state agency that licenses home warranty companies, says you are not required to buy a residential service contract when you buy a home. If you are offered one, read is a home warranty worth it in Texas first.

Moving to Dallas or Houston?

The city versions, with the local wires company and the internet providers the FCC lists for each city, are the Dallas moving checklist and the Houston moving checklist.

Last updated: November 3, 2026