Moving to Washington: your new-resident checklist
The official places to update your license, car, voter registration and mail after a move to Washington, District of Columbia, 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 DC Department of Motor Vehicles lists the deadline, the documents to bring and whether you need an appointment. Bring proof of your Washington address.
Vehicle titles and registration are also handled at the state level in District of Columbia. Start at the DC Department of Motor Vehicles website, and update your car insurance to your new address first.
Use vote.gov's District of Columbia 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 Washington website. Property tax and some records are handled by District of Columbia.
District of Columbia's top income tax rate is 10.75% (graduated). The average combined sales tax is 6%. If you moved from another state mid-year, you may file part-year returns in both.
Washington is on Eastern Time.
About 14 inches of snow fall in a typical year and about 60 nights drop below freezing. A snow shovel, an ice scraper and good tires are worth buying before the first storm, and check your city's rules on clearing sidewalks.
About 40 days a year reach 90°F. Have your air conditioning serviced before summer, and expect higher power bills from June to September.
FEMA rates District of Columbia County's natural hazard risk relatively high, led by winter weather, strong wind and lightning. 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 Washington page, and see things to do in Washington.
Lived in Washington 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 Washington?
Licenses are handled by the state, not the city. In District of Columbia that is the DC Department of Motor Vehicles. 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 Washington?
Start at vote.gov, the federal government's site, which sends you to the official District of Columbia 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.