Examples of proving residency for auto registration and other stuff

[IGBT]

I know this has been discussed quite a bit but I would like to hear of examples of how easy or hard it is to establish a permanent address such that you can get your vehicle registered, car insurance, health insurance, etc.

I talked to the DMV and they said you must have a non PO box permanent address where you are staying to register your vehicle. After that you can get a PO box for mail delivery. She said you can use your old address from the house you sold but I am wanting to switch zip codes when we sell our house for various reasons (cheaper insurance is one).

Should we buy the smallest piece of property just to have a physical address for all of this? What do you guys do?

 

[GrantRobertson]

Many gov offices recognize that few people receive bills by mail anymore. So just pick an address where you can receive mail, like a friend's house. Mail yourself a letter to that address. If the office in question won't accept that, then take the letter and apply for a library card. Have the library mail the card. Now you have something official with your address on it.

I have moved many times in the last few years and that works every time.

 

[B and C]

There is a whole section in the forums about residency and mail.

https://vanlivingforum.com/Forum-Communication-Cell-Internet-Mail-Delivery

 

[TMG51]

The first week I lived out of a vehicle, I went to the post office to open a PO box, believing to be doing the diligent thing receiving mail all in my name. The conversation with the fellow at the counter went like this:

"I'd like to open a PO box."
"Great, just provide proof of residence and pay the $35 fee"
"That's the thing, I need a PO box because I don't have a physical address."
"Sorry, can't open a PO box without a physical address."
"So I can't receive mail....? That's not going to help me get an address."
"Well, what I can do is set you up with a box number, and you can just pick mail up at the counter, but I can't give you a key to the box."
"Ehh.. okay, fine. I'll just pay the $35 and remember to pick up my mail during business hou-"
"No no, I can't fill out any paperwork without the physical address. I can't take payment."
"Sooo.... I CAN'T get a PO box, I CAN'T pay for it, but I CAN receive mail?"
"That's correct."
"Sooo... what's the problem?"

At this point he gave me a funny look and told me that sooner or later they would get tired of seeing me come to the counter, and they'd ask, "Don't you live somewhere?"
"Well, maybe I will be, but it will be with a friend. I won't have a lease etc with my name on it."
"Oh, that's okay. Just have your friend write a note saying you live with him."
"Sooo... along with this note, do you need a deed or something proving the author of the note owns the house?"
"No."
"Then how would you know I didn't just go write the note myself out in the parking lot?"
"Well... I guess I wouldn't."
"I will see YOU later!"


Anyway. After that ordeal I've just changed my address to a relative's house and haven't had an issue since.

 

[SoulRaven]

A private mail Center is typically better than a P.O. box, since you don't have to put "P.O." in the address and it appears exactly like an apartment address. I use this method primarily.

There have been a few hiccups. DMV knows that isn't a residential address, one of my credit cards automatically recognized that as well, and a local who knew there weren't any apartments on that street. For the DMV and credit card I used a family's address as residence and then just have them do separate residence and mailing addresses. For everything else, including car insurance, banking, etc my mailing address reads as residential.

Unlike other vandwellers who travel, I'm pretty rooted to the spot so what works for me might not work for you...

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I'm not sure where you live, or how important it is to you which state is your "official" state of residence.  The Escapee's Club in Texas can provide a mailing-address/forwarding-service that is completely acceptable to the Texas authorities for DMV, voting, and everything else.  And Texas doesn't have a state income tax.  Of course, there are other factors to consider when picking a state, like health insurance and inheritance taxes and so on.

Regards
John