April 5-9, 2024
After this, my posts will go back to being strictly LifeQuest reports. Wanted to share my SD residency experience, though.
South Dakota is unique in that to become a state resident, all you need to do is spend 24 hours in the state and have a Personal Mail Box (or residential address). Show various forms of ID plus proof of the PMB, a receipt with your SD mailing address on it from where you stayed your 24 hours (motel or campground is fine), go to the DMV, and done! Welcome to South Dakota. I do recommend you make an appointment for the DMV though, as you could be there several hours if you don’t. I was there first thing in the morning, and the place was full.
Next came registering my car. Come with your title info, your latest odometer reading, your ID, and make/model info. One thing I did not expect was that they will charge you sales tax on your vehicle for the current Blue Book value if your previous state never charged sales tax. That was an extra $500 I was not expecting. My bad for missing that during my research. Still, overall it’s a small price to pay.
No SD state inspections are needed.
Not all insurance companies will insure vehicles that do not have a garage-able address. DakotaPost can recommend some that do. I went with StateFarm. The coverage is comprehensible with no deductible except for collision, and the deductible isn’t that high. The policy is more expensive than what I had in NH, but I am only keeping my car through late August, so it all still falls within my budget.
Next came my will. While you do not HAVE to update your will when you change state residencies, it is recommended since each state has their own laws when it comes to estate taxes and various details. SD has no inheritance or estate taxes (or capital gains, social security, or income taxes). So it makes things that much easier for your loved ones if you have your will done/updated in your state of residence.
All residency business is now complete! I will soon get on with the full-time pursuit of my LifeQuest!