Military changing addresses frequently

[Blue Falcon]

I was wondering if any of you guys had any experience with this. I am in the military and my home of record is Texas. So I was wondering how the change of address law works for me if I am moving around alot. My next station is in Colorado so would I have to change my address to Colorado to be compliant with the law? I have no intention of changing my home of record in texas. Thanks

Robert

 

[txinvestigator]

What is a "home of record"? Is that an official record maintained by an agency, a military term, etc?

The technical answer to your question is that the Government Code requires that you notify the DPS if you "move from the address stated on the license". That means every time you live at another address you must notify DPS.

The reason for that is to be able to make notifications to you if needed.

Texas Government Code
Sec. 411.181. NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR NAME.
(a) If a person who is a current license holder moves to a new residence address, if the name of the person is changed by marriage or otherwise, or if the person's status as a federal judge, a state judge, or the spouse of a federal judge or state judge, becomes inapplicable, the person shall, not later than the 30th day after the date of the address, name, or status change, notify the department and provide the department with the number of the person's license and, as applicable, the person's:
(1) former and new addresses; or
(2) former and new names.
(b) If the name of the license holder is changed by marriage or otherwise, or if the person's status becomes inapplicable as described by Subsection (a), the person shall apply for a duplicate license. The duplicate license must reflect the person's current name and status.
(b) If the name of the license holder is changed by marriage or otherwise, or if the person's status as a federal judge or state judge, or the spouse of a federal judge or state judge becomes inapplicable, the person shall apply for a duplicate license. The duplicate license must include the person's current residence address.
(c) If a license holder moves from the address stated on the license, the person shall apply for a duplicate license.
(d) The department shall charge a license holder a fee of $25 for a duplicate license.
(e) The department shall make the forms available on request.
(f) On request of a local law enforcement agency, the department shall notify the agency of changes made under Subsection (a) by license holders who reside in the county in which the agency is located.
(g) If a license is lost, stolen, or destroyed, the license holder shall apply for a duplicate license not later than the 30th day after the date of the loss, theft, or destruction of the license.
(h) If a license holder is required under this section to apply for a duplicate license and the license expires not later than the 60th day after the date of the loss, theft, or destruction of the license, the applicant may renew the license with the modified information included on the new license. The applicant must pay only the nonrefundable renewal fee.
(i) A license holder whose application fee for a duplicate license under this section is dishonored or reversed may reapply for a duplicate license at any time, provided the application fee and a dishonored payment charge of $25 is paid by cashier's check or money order made payable to the "Texas Department of Public Safety."


Sec. 411.187. SUSPENSION OF LICENSE. (a) A license may be suspended under this section if the license holder:
(1) is charged with the commission of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or an offense under Section 42.01, Penal Code, or of a felony under an information or indictment;

(3) fails to notify the department of a change of address or name as required by Section 411.181;

 

[biglucky]

That is an interesting question, as when you change station you still maintain your license plates and drivers license of your "home of record" don't you? I would recommend contacting the DPS office and asking them.

 

[Willy]

I suspect that you will be able to list your out of state address on your TX CHL. When I was in the military, I drove for years on an expired driver's license, which was valid as long as I had my military ID with it. It will cost you $25 every time you move.

 

[biglucky]

Willy the problem with that is that your CHL address has to be the same as your DL address. If you drive forever on your same TX DL then you would have a problem with the addresses not matching up.

 

[txinvestigator]

Willy the problem with that is that your CHL address has to be the same as your DL address.

No, it does not.

If you drive forever on your same TX DL then you would have a problem with the addresses not matching up.

No, he would not.


The DL and registration laws have provisions for military. The CHL laws, in regards to the address on the license, do not.

 

[biglucky]

No, it does not.

No, he would not.


The DL and registration laws have provisions for military. The CHL laws, in regards to the address on the license, do not.

I stand corrected.

 

[txinvestigator]

In my last instructor renewal class we were told that DPS has yet to suspend anyone for failing to report their address change.

I certainly cannot speak for DPS, but I don't imagine a military guy who moves around a bit will get twisted up over a fail to change address.

 

[Blue Falcon]

Tx investigator, the "home of record" is what the military members use as an address in the US from their home state. Most people use their parents house or a relative. I just really wanted to know if I will have to change my CHL address if my drivers license address is not going to change. Thanks for all the input.

 

[Hawghauler]

You may need to get a new CHL for the new state if they don't have reciprocity with Texas. Soldiers generally maintain the home of record that is most advantageous to them. States like Texas with no income tax are attractive to maintain as home of record. Florida is another one soldiers like to claim.

 

[Blue Falcon]

Soldiers generally maintain the home of record that is most advantageous to them. States like Texas with no income tax are attractive to maintain as home of record. .

This is very true. I have friends from several states that have to pay a hundred dollars or more out of every pay check. Colorado does have reciprocity with Texas so it seems the law may get a little complicated.

 

[Shorts]

When we left Texas DH kept his address and CHL in TX but home of record was actually in NY where he joined. When it was time to renew he just called Austin and requested the packet - we were in Japan at the time.

Not sure what's by the book, but for the most part, no penalties were enforced and there were never any questions asked. The phrase "We're military stationed in ___" was enough to get through any conversations and a copy of orders were enough for a papertrail.


When you get to your new station one of the first things you should do is get your carry license. You should be exempt from the required waiting period of 30 days (or whatever it may be) for new residents before applying since you are military and you'll be on orders. We did this in WA immediately after leaving TX. We had our CCW in 3wks and the license did denote "military" and linked it to our TX DL. It didn't seem to matter that the addresses didn't match up.

Where are you headed to?


I'm not advicating 'scam the system!'. I'm simply saying that between the states there isn't uniformity between the rules and how they are enforced. It has come down to, once you have a license in hand, generally you're good to go until it expires. The details of a license status isn't ever questioned unless there has been an incident that is being investigated and some lawyering starts.

 

[Blue Falcon]

I am leaving Okinawa headed to Buckley AFB in Denver. I actually just got my license. I applied in October when I was back for training.

 

[thorkyl]

IMAO I think the "residence address" would not change as long as your primary residence is the same and never changes.

I know a few Military guys that use their mom and dads address as their "residence address" on their voter registration, DL and CHL.

All other locations they live at are not "resident addresses" only temporary address.

You may have to come home to the "residence address" every so often to keep it legal.

Same kind of thing applies to kids in college, mom and dads address on their DL's and voter cards