Fill and Sign the New Resident Guide Rhode Island Form

NEW RESIDENT GUIDE FOR STATE OF RHODE ISLAND 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 Rhode Island, you must meet the following requirements:  You must be a U.S. citizen.  You must be a Rhode Island resident. You can register to vote as soon as you move to your city/town as long as you intend to make your primary residence there. You cannot vote for local candidates or issues until you have been registered at your address for 30 days.  You must be at least 18 years old on or before the next election.  You must not be a convicted felon unless you have been unconditionally discharged from custody.  You must complete a voter registration form at least 30 days before a primary or election in which you wish to vote. You may obtain a voter registration form as follows: o At your local Board of Canvassers or the Rhode Island Board of Elections. o Online at http://www.elections.ri.gov/docs/VR6-04.pdf , by printing the form, signing it and sending it to your local Board of Canvassers for processing. o At many agencies which serve the public, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Human Services and the Department of Mental Health.  If you are a first time applicant in Rhode Island and you are registering to vote by mail, you must include with your application a copy of a current and valid photo ID or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address. IDENTIFICATION CARD REQUIREMENTS - In order to obtain a non-driver identification card in Rhode Island, you must meet the following requirements:  You must be a resident of Rhode Island.  You must not hold a valid license in Rhode Island or in any other state.  You must provide an acceptable identity document that shows your legal name and date of birth from the following list: o Valid U.S./U.S. Territory or Canadian Driver's License with photograph, signature, and date of birth (may not be expired for more than one year). o Birth certificate (must be original or certified copy, have a seal, and be issued by an authorized government agency such as the Bureau of Vital Statistics). o Baptismal certificate (must be original or certified copy, be issued by a church in the U.S., have an issue date of within one year of your birth, and contain your date of birth). o U.S. or foreign passport (B1, B2 and expired passports are not acceptable). o U.S. Naturalization Certificate. o INS form I-94 (document showing entry into U.S.). o INS form I-688 (Temporary Resident Identification Card). o INS form I-688B, I-766 (Employment Authorization Card). o U.S. Active Service, Retiree, or Reservist Military ID Card.  You must provide an acceptable signature document from the following list: o Valid U.S./U.S. Territory or Canadian Driver's License with photograph, signature, and date of birth (may not be expired for more than one year). o U.S. or foreign passport (B1, B2 and expired passports are not acceptable). o Social Security Card. o Work or school ID. o U.S. Active Service, Retiree, or Reservist Military ID Card.  You must be able to prove residency by providing one of the documents from the following list: o Valid Voter Registration Card. o Utility bill (gas, electric, telephone, cable) in your name or in the name of an immediate family member with the same last name. o Personal check or bank statement with your name and address (no P.O. box). o Valid original lease agreement with your name and address. (Landlord's name, address, and telephone number also must be provided.) o Payroll check with your name and address. o Welfare check stub or food stamp card with your name and address. o Insurance policy for your home/apartment with your name and address. o Property tax bill for your residence. o If you are a minor, school records and parent's license/ID with same address.  You must provide your valid social security number, or if you do not have a valid social security number, you must present a foreign passport and appropriate visa or documentation to validate your ineligibility for a social security number (such as an acceptable denial letter (with an acceptable visa code)). DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS - You must obtain a Rhode Island driver's license from the Department of Motor Vehicles within 30 days of becoming a resident. If you have an out-of-state driver’s license, you must meet the following requirements to obtain a regular driver’s license in Rhode Island:  You must be 16 ½ years old.  You must present to the nearest Department of Motor Vehicles branch office your current out-of-state license (that is not expired for more than one year).  You must provide your valid Social Security card. If your name has changed and is different from the name on your current license, you must change your name with the Social Security Administration first and then allow at least 24 hours for the change to take effect before coming to the Department of Motor Vehicles to transfer your license from another state. You will also be asked for a document showing proof of name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or probate court documents showing your legal name change.  You must provide a document showing proof of residency (proof of your current address). (See acceptable documents listed above for identification cards).  You must pay all applicable fees. If your license is either current or has not expired over one year, you can convert your license for a $30.00 fee. If you do not have an out-of-state driver’s license and you are between the ages of 16 and 18, you must apply for a limited instruction permit. In order to obtain a limited instruction permit, you must meet the following requirements:  You must complete a 33-hour driver education course certified by the Community College of Rhode Island. If you have completed an out-of- state driver education course, it must be approved by the Community College of Rhode Island. Once you have completed the course and passed the written exam you will be given a certificate. You need to submit that certificate along with a completed permit application to the Department of Motor Vehicles.  You must present a certified birth certificate, driver education certificate and a social security card.  Your parent, legal guardian, licensed foster parent or adult spouse must sign the permit application and have their signature notarized. If your parent, guardian or foster parent accompanies you to the Department of Motor Vehicles, they must show identification in order to have their signature notarized on the permit application. If you have a legal guardian or licensed foster parent, they must have documentation to verify this.  You must pay the applicable fee of $10.00 for an instruction permit. If you do not have an out-of-state driver’s license and you have never held a driver’s license in Rhode Island or your Rhode Island license is expired over three years and you are 18 years of age or older, you must apply for an instruction permit. In order to obtain an instruction permit, you must meet the following requirements:  You must take the written exam given by the Department of Motor Vehicles.  You must present the following as discussed above for identification cards: o Identity document o Signature document o Proof of Rhode Island residency.  You must pay an instruction permit fee of $5.00. VEHICLE TITLE AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS - You must register your vehicle with the Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles within 30 days of becoming a resident. In order to register and title your vehicle in Rhode Island, you must meet the following requirements:  You must bring your vehicle to your local police department along with proof of ownership and proof of residency (from the above list of acceptable documents for identification cards) for a Vehicle Identification Number inspection, unless your vehicle is more than ten years old.  You must then present to a Department of Motor Vehicles branch office a current Rhode Island driver’s license or current out-of-state license with proof of residency, your title or other proof of ownership, the VIN verification form from the police department and proof of insurance. (You must carry liability insurance from an insurance company that is licensed to do business in Rhode Island.)  You must complete a TR-1 application.  You must complete a Tax Exempt card (Form T-333-1).  You must pay a registration fee of $30.00 and title fee of $25.00.  You must pay any sales tax and/or property taxes, if applicable.  Within five business days of registering, your vehicle must undergo a safety inspection. Please see the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles website at http://www.dmv.ri.gov/new/ and the Rhode Island Board of Elections website at http://www.elections.state.ri.us/registration/intro.htm for further new resident and contact information. Website source: May 16, 2006.