New Resident Guide for Pennsylvania

NEW RESIDENT GUIDE FOR STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA

U.S. Legal Forms, Inc.

http://www.uslegalforms.com

Becoming a new resident of a new home state often involves the reorganization of your legal affairs. This form is a guide to help you in meeting various requirements, such as voting, identification card, driver’s license and vehicle registration requirements.

VOTING REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to vote in the state of Pennsylvania, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a U.S. citizen for at least one month before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.

• You must be a resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which you desire to register and vote for at least 30 days before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.

• You must be at least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.

• You must not be a convicted felon who is incarcerated on the date of a primary or election.

• You must apply to register to vote by one of the following methods:

o In person at a County Voter Registration Office or at other state government agencies or offices, including:

□ State offices that provide public assistance and services to persons with disabilities.

□ Department of Transportation photo license centers.

□ Armed Forces Recruitment Centers.

□ County Clerk of Orphans' Court offices, including each Marriage License Bureau.

□ Area Agencies on Aging.

□ Centers for Independent Living.

□ County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Offices.

□ Student disability services offices of the State System of Higher Education.

□ Offices of Special Education.

□ ADA Complementary Paratransit offices.

o By mail by obtaining a voter registration mail application form from the Secretary of the Commonwealth or a county registration commission and submitting it to your county voter registration office. You may also download a mail application form at http://www.votespa.com/ or complete it online.

• You must apply to register to vote at least 30 days prior to each election.

IDENTIFICATION CARD REQUIREMENTS

In order to obtain an identification card in Pennsylvania, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be 16 years of age or older.

• You must appear in person at a driver and vehicle service center and present proof of identification and residency as discussed below for driver’s licenses.

• If you have an out-of-state driver's license or ID card, you must surrender it at the time of application for an identification card.

• You must pay the appropriate fees.

DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

If you have an out-of-state non-commercial driver's license, you must obtain a Pennsylvania driver’s license within 60 days of establishing Pennsylvania residency.

In order to obtain a driver’s license in Pennsylvania, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be at least 16 years of age. If you are transferring a non-commercial driver’s license, you must be 16 ½ years of age.

• You must appear in person at a driver license center and surrender your out-of-state driver’s license (valid or expired six months or less) and/or identification card. If your license is expired for more than six months or you do not possess your prior state driver’s license, you must apply for a Pennsylvania learner’s permit and take the vision, knowledge and road test.

• You must take a vision-screening test. (You will not be required to take a knowledge test if you have an out-of-state driver's license which is valid or expired six months or less.)

• You must show proof of identification and residency. If the name on your original document differs from your current name, you must provide an original marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order document. If you are a U.S. citizen 16 or 17 years of age, you must present your social security card, your out-of-state driver’s license and/or identification card and one form of identification from the following list:

o U.S.-issued birth certificate with raised seal

o Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (INS Form N-560)

o Certificate of Naturalization (INS Form N-550 or N-570)

o Valid U.S. passport

o U.S. Military photo ID card

If you are a U.S. citizen 18 years of age or older, you must present your social security card, your out-of-state driver’s license and/or identification card, one form of identification from the above list and two forms of proof of residency from the following list:

o Tax records

o Lease agreements

o Mortgage documents

o W-2 forms

o Current weapons permit

o Current utility bills (water, gas, electric or cable)

See http://www.dot10.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/pub195nc.pdf for non-U.S. citizen identification and legal presence requirements.

• You must pay the appropriate fees.

VEHICLE TITLE AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

You must apply for Pennsylvania title and registration of your vehicle within 20 days of establishing residency in Pennsylvania.

In order to register and title your vehicle in Pennsylvania, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must bring the following items to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to register your vehicle:

o A valid title for all of the vehicles you want to register in Pennsylvania, issued in your name, from your previous state.

o Proof of Pennsylvania insurance, such as a valid insurance identification card, declaration page of an insurance policy, a copy of a valid binder or a copy of an application for insurance to the Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan for all of the vehicles you will be registering.

o Completed Form MV-1 that you must obtain from a messenger, tag agency or any driver and vehicle service center location. If you are titling and registering a leased vehicle, the leasing company will also be required to complete Form MV-1L and a Power of Attorney may be required from the leasing company.

o A tracing of the vehicle identification number or the verification of the VIN by an inspection mechanic or notary public at a dealership or issuing agent.

o Appropriate title, lien, registration fees and sales tax (if applicable).

If you hold a valid title issued in another state, and have owned the vehicle at least six months before moving to Pennsylvania, you will not be required to pay any sales tax when you register your vehicle in Pennsylvania. If it has been less than six months, you will need to provide your sales tax receipt, or remit Pennsylvania sales tax. If you are exempt from Pennsylvania sales tax, you must list the appropriate Sales Tax Exemption reason code in Sections 1A and/or 1B on Form MV-1.

• You must provide one of the following credentials for identification purposes:

o A valid Pennsylvania Photo Driver's License

o A valid Pennsylvania Photo Identification Card

o A valid Pennsylvania Photo Exempt Driver's License

o A valid Pennsylvania Photo Exempt Identification Card

o A valid U.S. Passport with a Pennsylvania address

o A valid U.S. Armed Forces Common Access Card

o A valid U.S. Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card (DD Form 1173) (if you are a dependent of Armed Forces Personnel).

• You must have your vehicle safety inspected within ten days of it being registered. You may have your vehicle inspected at official inspection stations (usually a repair garage or a service station with a repair shop).

• You may be required to have your vehicle emissions inspected if the county your vehicle is registered in participates in Pennsylvania’s emissions inspection program.

Please see the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Driver and Vehicle Services Division at http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/new_residents/index.shtml and the Pennsylvania Department of State website at http://www.votespa.com/ for further new resident and contact information.

Website source: May 16, 2006.