The administrative side of moving to Washington, in the order it actually comes up. Most of it can be done in the first two weeks. Updated October 2026.
Before you arrive
- Confirm your employer’s relocation benefits in writing: lump sum or managed move, temporary housing days, home-sale help, tax gross-up and any repayment clause if you leave within a year or two.
- Decide rent-first or buy-now. See renting first; we help with either.
- Pull school enrollment documents: immunization records, transcripts, birth certificates. See the schools guide.
- Open a Good To Go account for 520 bridge tolls and 405 express toll lanes before your first drive across the lake.
First 30 days
| Task | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Washington driver license | Department of Licensing (DOL) office, appointment recommended | Required within 30 days of becoming a resident. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of identity and two proofs of Washington address. |
| Vehicle registration and title | DOL vehicle licensing office | Also within 30 days. Car tabs include the Sound Transit excise tax on the Eastside. No emissions test. |
| Voter registration | Automatic with a DOL transaction, or online | Washington votes entirely by mail. |
| Electricity and gas | Puget Sound Energy | Serves all five core cities. Start service online before move-in. |
| Water, sewer, garbage | City utility (Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond) or district (Sammamish, Bothell) | Garbage is often billed with water; recycling and yard waste are standard. |
| Internet | Xfinity, Ziply Fiber, CenturyLink/Quantum, T-Mobile or Verizon home internet | Fiber availability varies street by street; check the exact address. |
| School enrollment | District online portal | Continuous enrollment; confirm the assigned school by address first. |
| Transit | ORCA card | Works on the 2 Line, buses and ferries; employers often subsidize. |
First 90 days
- Health insurance: if your plan is employer-based, nothing changes. If you buy your own, Washington Healthplanfinder is the state exchange.
- Taxes: there is no state income tax return to file. If you sell stock above the capital gains threshold, the state return is due with your federal return. See cost of living and taxes.
- Discover Pass for state parks and a Northwest Forest Pass for trailheads; both are annual and cheap compared with the number of trailheads within an hour.
- Earthquake and water-heater strapping: not required, but standard advice from inspectors on the Eastside.
- If you bought: property tax is billed by King County in two halves, due April 30 and October 31, usually through your mortgage escrow.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to get a Washington driver license after moving?
30 days after you establish residency. The same 30-day rule applies to registering your vehicle. Appointments at Department of Licensing offices on the Eastside fill up, so book early.
Does Washington have a vehicle emissions test?
No. Washington ended emissions testing in 2020. You will pay an annual registration that includes the Sound Transit excise tax inside the transit district, which covers the whole Eastside.
Who provides electricity on the Eastside?
Puget Sound Energy provides electricity and natural gas in Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish and Bothell. Water and sewer come from each city or a local district.
Do I need a toll pass for the 520 bridge?
Not required, but a Good To Go account lowers the toll and avoids pay-by-mail fees. The 520 bridge is tolled in both directions; 405 express toll lanes are optional.
Talk it through
We hand every relocating client a personalized version of this list with the right utility providers for their address. Book a 30-minute call with Justin Cicero, Managing Broker, call or text 425-686-9449, or use the contact page.
This is general information, not legal, tax, lending or employment advice. Figures are approximate, dated where shown, and change; confirm current numbers before relying on them.