Moving to Seattle: your new-resident checklist
The official places to update your license, car, voter registration and mail after a move to Seattle, Washington, plus what the local weather and hazards mean for your first year. Tick things off as you go; your progress stays in this browser.
Set up mail forwarding and tell the Postal Service your new address at the official USPS change of address site. It costs a small identity-check fee online; beware look-alike sites that charge more.
New residents usually have a limited time to switch. The Washington State Department of Licensing lists the deadline, the documents to bring and whether you need an appointment. Bring proof of your Seattle address.
Vehicle titles and registration are also handled at the state level in Washington. Start at the Washington State Department of Licensing website, and update your car insurance to your new address first.
Use vote.gov's Washington page to reach the official state registration and deadlines.
Water, trash and recycling pickup days, parking permits and 311 requests are on the official City of Seattle website. Property tax and some records are handled by King County.
Washington has no state income tax on wages. The average combined sales tax is 9.57%. If you moved from another state mid-year, you may file part-year returns in both.
Seattle is on Pacific Time.
FEMA rates King County's natural hazard risk very high, led by inland flooding, earthquake and avalanche. Check the flood map for your address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, sign up for local emergency alerts, and see Ready.gov for a basic emergency kit.
Learn what locals love and wish they had known on the Seattle page, and see things to do in Seattle.
Lived in Seattle for a while? Rate the city and share what newcomers should know.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change my driver's license after moving to Seattle?
Licenses are handled by the state, not the city. In Washington that is the Washington State Department of Licensing. Its website lists the deadline for new residents, the documents to bring and whether you need an appointment.
Where do I register to vote in Seattle?
Start at vote.gov, the federal government's site, which sends you to the official Washington registration page and lists the deadlines.
Links checked October 18, 2026. Rules and fees are set by each agency and change, so follow the official site. Weather figures: NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Hazard rating: FEMA National Risk Index. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026.