Last Updated on: 24th February 2025, 07:43 pm
Moving to Arizona? Whether you’re settling in Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, or elsewhere in the Grand Canyon State, there is plenty to look forward to. Of course, you have to get through your long moving to-do list first!
Relocating to a new state can be exciting yet challenging. Understanding Arizona residency requirements in advance can reduce the stress of your move and help you enjoy all the benefits of being an Arizona resident.
Here’s how to become an Arizona resident and establish residency for in-state tuition, taxes, hunting and fishing licenses, and more.
Table of Contents
Why It’s Important to Meet Arizona Residency Requirements
Proving you meet Arizona residency requirements can be important for many reasons:
- Qualifying for in-state tuition rates at a public university
- Enrolling your kids in a public school
- Getting a hunting or fishing license
- Getting a professional license in the state
- Qualifying for business incentives and tax breaks, as well as first time home buyer programs
- Determining income taxes owed and avoiding double taxation from another state
- Registering to vote in local and national elections
Arizona Residency Requirements: Are You an Arizona Resident?
You are generally considered an Arizona resident if:
- You stay in Arizona for seven months or longer during any calendar year, no matter your permanent residence
- Your children are enrolled in school without paying non-resident tuition rates
- You are employed in Arizona for non-seasonal work
- You are registered to vote in Arizona
- You have a state license or pay Arizona resident tuition fees for school
- You have a business with an Arizona office that operates and bases vehicles in the state
These guidelines are from the Arizona MVD. Arizona residency requirements for other purposes can vary.
How to Become an Arizona Resident
To become a resident of the state, you must meet Arizona residency requirements. Initially, you need to establish a physical presence in the state of Arizona. Below are the steps you need to take to prove Arizona residency.
Establish Domicile
To become a resident, you must make Arizona your permanent home. This means buying a house or signing a lease and living in the state full-time. Your mortgage documents, statements, or lease agreement are important ways to prove you meet Arizona residency requirements.
It’s also helpful to set up utilities in your name. You can check out our guides to Phoenix utilities and Mesa utilities to learn more.
Change Your Address
The next step is to update your address. Start by forwarding your mail online through the USPS Change of Address online portal or in person. Updating your address with banks, credit card companies, insurance providers, employers, and other important contacts. If you receive Social Security benefits, you can update your address online.
You will also need to update your address with the Arizona MVD.
Get an Arizona Driver’s License
Arizona law requires new residents to transfer their out-of-state driver’s license immediately after moving to the state. To get an Arizona driver’s license, you will need to:
- Visit an Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) office
- Bring proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), proof of Arizona residency (like a lease or utility bill), and your current driver’s license
- Pass a vision test and pay the required fee
Arizona does not require a written or driving test if you have a valid license from another state
You can submit an Arizona residency affidavit as one form of proof of residency.
Transfer Title and Register Your Vehicle in Arizona
You must title and register your motor vehicle in Arizona after moving to the state.
- Visit an MVD office or authorized third party
- Complete and sign the Arizona Title and Registration Application
- Bring your signed out-of-state title, registration, and a lien release (if applicable)
- Have proof of insurance with at least minimum coverage of $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 property damage liability
- You may need to complete emissions testing if you are living in or commuting to the Phoenix or Tucson metro areas
- Pay the applicable fees and taxes
Other Ways to Establish Arizona Residency
Proving you meet Arizona residency requirements may take more work for tuition purposes or if your former state challenges your residency. You can take additional steps to establish residency in Arizona:
- Get a veteran ID card with your new Arizona address
- Transfer banking services to Arizona
- Enroll kids in an Arizona public or private school
- Get a professional license or transfer one to Arizona
- Find a new primary care physician
- Join local organizations like a church. You can explore churches in Phoenix and Mesa.
- Apply for a homestead exemption if eligible after buying a home. Learn more about Maricopa County and Pinal County property taxes with our complete guides.
- Get a dog license in your county
- Complete the Department of Education residency affidavit
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Arizona Residency Requirements for Tax Purposes
You are considered a resident if you meet either of these Arizona residency requirements:
- You have established domicile in Arizona (or a permanent home), or
- You spend more than nine months of the taxable year in Arizona
If you meet Arizona residency requirements, you must file an Arizona income tax return. You will be taxed on all income, even if it was earned in another state.
If you spend part of one year in Arizona and part in another state, you may be a part-time resident. This happens when you move to Arizona during the year with the intent to establish a new domicile or change your permanent address to another state. You will likely need to file an income tax return in both states and pay Arizona income tax on income you earned while a resident.
It’s important to meet Arizona residency requirements as soon as possible. Your former state may attempt to claim you as a resident for tax purposes. The more evidence you can provide proving your intent to remain in Arizona and the date you established residency, the better.
The residence claimed on a federal income tax return, and proof you filed an Arizona tax return are two types of evidence you can use to prove residency.
Arizona Residency Requirements for Voting
To register to vote, you must meet the following Arizona residency requirements:
- You must be a resident of Arizona and the county listed on your registration for at least 29 days preceding the election
- You must be a citizen of the United States
- You must be 18 years of age or older on or before the day of the next regular General Election
Arizona requires proof of citizenship to vote in state and local elections. Acceptable documents include an Arizona driver’s license or ID card, a birth certificate, a U.S. passport, or naturalization documents. If you do not provide proof of citizenship, you will be registered as a “federal only” voter, meaning you can vote only in federal elections.
How to Become an Arizona Resident for Tuition
College students are drawn to Arizona because of its warm climate and top-ranked universities. Once you decide to go to a school in the state, it’s important to understand Arizona residency requirements for tuition purposes.
The biggest reason for becoming an Arizona resident for school is a reduced tuition rate. For example, Arizona State University tuition for a non-resident student at the Downtown Phoenix campus is $33,489 for an undergraduate degree. Resident tuition is $12,573 for the same program.
Arizona residency for in-state tuition is determined by Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) guidelines for public universities (Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University) and by individual policies for community colleges.
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Residency Classification: What Is Residency for Tuition Purposes?
To be eligible for Arizona resident status, you must meet these Arizona residency requirements:
- Established Arizona domicile for at least one full year before the first day of classes and financial independence
- Have the intent to establish Arizona as your permanent home. This is demonstrated through actions like maintaining employment in Arizona, registering a vehicle in the state, and getting an Arizona driver’s license.
Physical presence alone is not enough to be classified as a resident. You must not have moved to Arizona primarily for education.
You may be classified as an in-state student without meeting the 12-month requirement under one of these approved exceptions:
- Dependent student if your parents or legal guardians have been Arizona residents for 12 months
- Qualifying federal service: active duty armed forces and their dependents stationed in Arizona automatically qualify for in-state residency
- Honorably discharged veterans who were stationed in the state at any time
- Federally recognized tribe members whose reservation extends into the state
- Some graduates of an Arizona high school may qualify without meeting other Arizona residency requirements
Proof You Are an AZ Resident for Tuition Purposes
The process of establishing residency in Arizona can be complicated. Every student is assigned a residency status after completing the Statement of Residency Classification (SORC). If you believe you are misclassified, you can submit the Domicile Affidavit to the Residency Classification Office.
If you believe you are still misclassified, you can request an appeal before the Residency Review Committee. To do this, complete the Residency Review Form and submit it by the appropriate deadline.
The form must explain the reasons you are challenging your classification with evidence to support your claim. Be prepared to submit objective evidence that you meet the Arizona residency requirements. This may include:
- Proof of continuous physical presence in the state, such as a lease agreement or property tax bills
- Intent to establish residency, such as an Arizona vehicle registration, voter registration, and proof of employment in the state
- Proof of qualifying federal service such as military orders or DD-214
- Marital status and income tax returns to prove financial independence or dependence
- Records from your former educational institution, such as an Arizona high school diploma
You can review the Arizona Board of Regents Policy on Tuition Classification for more information about meeting Arizona residency requirements.
Arizona Residency Requirements for a Fishing & Hunting License
Want a hunting or fishing license? The Arizona Game & Fish Department requires proof you have lived in Arizona for at least six months to get a license as a resident.
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Arizona Divorce Residency Requirements
You must meet specific Arizona residency requirements to file for divorce in the state. At least one spouse must have lived in Arizona for 90 or more days before filing to give the state jurisdiction to authorize a dissolution of the marriage.
How Long Does It Take to Establish Residency in Arizona?
Arizona residency requirements depend on the purpose. For tuition purposes, it takes one year to establish Arizona residency. The Arizona Department of Revenue considers you a resident after just nine months. For a hunting and fishing license, you are a resident after 6 months, while a divorce requires residency for 90 days.
The Arizona MVD considers you a resident immediately after moving to the state.
Ready to Enjoy Arizona Residency? Get Started With a Free Moving Estimate
Once you learn how to become an Arizona resident, you can enjoy all of the benefits of living in the state. As a resident, you can save money on tuition, vote in your local elections, and get a fishing or hunting license.
If you’re ready to make Arizona your new home, Mentors Moving & Storage is here to help with your move. Call our Phoenix movers at (480) 376-1009 to get started with a free moving quote!
