Florida Residents: Is It Possible to Live in Two States?

Florida is a state with many unique rules, laws, and regulations regarding residency. It's tricky to keep up with the changes in this state. One of these changes includes residency requirements for people who live here. If the thought of living in two states at once has crossed your mind, or if your situation has recently changed that you no longer live in Florida, there are some essential things you need to apprehend before making your final decision.

The idea of living in two states might seem a little tricky, but it's not as uncommon as you may think. There are various reasons why someone would want to do this. Most people live in Florida and work in different states because the income tax rates vary from state to state. On the other hand, you might not like the weather in one country or have family living in another state.

In the past, living in two states wasn’t possible. But with the development of new technology and residency law, there are now many options for those who want to have a second address and still call themselves Floridians. So, if you're a Florida resident considering living in a different state, this article is for you. Keep reading to find out more about these situations and when you might be eligible.

Living in Two States as a Florida Resident

If you're looking to become a resident of two states at once, specific criteria must be met. First, you can't be registered to vote in two different states or hold an elected office in both places. You'll also need to ensure that the states recognize residence and domicile statuses.

A domicile is your permanent residence where you reside and intend to remain indefinitely. If you can possess residency and domiciles (for example, Florida domicile and Alabama residence), then living in both states can be possible. However, it won't work the other way around if the country of your choice doesn't recognize these types of statuses. For instance, while some states don't recognize dual residence statuses, Florida does because it follows the common law rule for personal jurisdiction over natural persons.

Florida offers many different residency statuses, one of which is dual residency (domiciliary and resident). But what does this mean? A double residence refers to someone who lives in Florida and has taken steps to become a legal resident of a different state. If you choose this route, you'll need to follow these three requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years old when applying for dual residency status.

• You must reside within Florida and have obtained legal resident or domicile status.

• You must meet or exceed one of these eligibility requirements: You're a U.S. citizen by birth or a naturalized U.S. citizen; you're an eligible non-citizen with lawful immigration status (including but not limited to TPS). Also, you can be currently on active duty with any branch of the United States Armed Forces on orders that require relocation outside Florida at the time you apply for your in-state status.

How to Become an FL Resident Without Living There

Some people want to become a resident of Florida without living there. But how can you do that? There are many ways to become an FL resident without living in it, such as purchasing property and renting it out, establishing residency through your spouse or another family member, or having an FL-based business that you oversee from afar. You may also establish residency through employment or open up a trusted company for business purposes. The court may also decide your residence in Florida as valid if you:

• File a Declaration of Domicile in Florida
• Register as a voter in Florida and vote in the next elections
• Get a Florida driver's license.
• Obtain any available home exemptions
• Register your vehicle (s) in Florida and get Florida-based car insurance
• Register your pet with a registered Florida veterinarian
• List Florida as your primary residence in all documents.
• Use your Floridian residence address where applicable.
• Establish financial accounts in FL
• Close out-of-state safe deposit boxes and obtain one in Florida
• Join Florida-based religious and social networks
• Direct all your income receipts, interests, dividends, etc., to your Florida address.

Bottom Line

If you're a Florida resident, it's possible also to be a resident of another state. The laws governing this dual residency are complicated and vary depending on the circumstances. There are various ways you can become a Florida resident without living there. All in all, it's important to understand the rules for your specific situation before making any decisions about living in two states.