What Do I Need to Relocate to the Florida Keys From Out of State?

Moving to the Keys can feel like moving to another world, but legally and practically, you're still moving to Florida, with some additional considerations because of the Keys' geography, hurricane exposure, infrastructure, and limited road access.

Here's what you should plan for.

1. Find Your Home or Long-Term Rental First

Before moving your belongings, you'll need a place to live.

The first decision is which part of the Keys fits your lifestyle.

Upper Keys

Including:

• Key Largo
• Tavernier
• Plantation Key
• Islamorada

The Upper Keys are closer to Miami and the mainland and can appeal to people who need more frequent access to South Florida.

Middle Keys

Including:

• Layton
• Long Key
• Marathon

Marathon provides a central location with access to shopping, healthcare, marinas, boating and other everyday services.

Lower Keys

Including:

• Big Pine Key
• Cudjoe Key
• Summerland Key
• Stock Island
• Key West

The Lower Keys provide a different lifestyle, with Key West serving as the major population and tourism center.

2. Get Your Florida Driver's License

If you're establishing Florida residency, you'll need to transfer your driver's license.

Florida's driver handbook states that a new Florida resident must obtain a new driver license within 30 calendar days after a change of mailing or residential address, with Florida's broader licensing rules applying to new residents.

You'll generally need documentation establishing:

• Identity
• Social Security number
• Florida residential address
• Lawful presence, where applicable

The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles system handles driver's licenses and vehicle registrations.

3. Register Your Vehicle in Florida

If you're bringing your car to the Keys, you'll also need to take care of Florida vehicle registration and title requirements.

Florida's Department of Revenue notes that vehicles brought into Florida can be subject to Florida's 6% use tax, with specific rules and exemptions depending on circumstances such as how long the vehicle was previously used outside Florida and taxes previously paid.

This is something to investigate before moving the vehicle, particularly if you're bringing a recently purchased vehicle.

The Monroe County Tax Collector handles motor vehicle and vessel registration services in the county.

4. Establish Florida Residency

If you're making the Keys your permanent home, you'll want your records to consistently reflect your new residency.

Depending on your circumstances, this can include:

• Florida driver's license
• Florida vehicle registration
• Updating your mailing address
• Updating financial accounts
• Updating insurance policies
• Updating your federal tax records
• Registering to vote, if eligible
• Establishing a Florida residential address
• Declaration of domicile, where appropriate

This becomes especially important if you're purchasing a Florida home and applying for the homestead exemption.

Florida's Department of Revenue says the property appraiser may consider multiple factors when determining permanent residency, including your Florida driver's license, vehicle registration, voter registration, employment, federal tax address, and other evidence of residency.

5. Apply for the Homestead Exemption if You're Buying a Primary Residence

If the property will be your permanent Florida residence, you may qualify for Florida's homestead exemption.

The Florida Department of Revenue currently states that the exemption can reduce taxable value by up to $50,000, subject to the statutory requirements.

You'll apply through the Monroe County Property Appraiser.

If you're moving from another state, be prepared to provide evidence establishing Florida as your permanent residence.

The state specifically lists potential evidence such as:

• Florida driver's license
• Florida vehicle tag
• Florida voter registration, if applicable
• Declaration of domicile
• Bank statements
• Utility records
• Employment information
• Previous residency information

6. Set Up Utilities

Once you have your Keys address, you'll need to arrange utilities.

Depending on where you live, this can include:

• Electricity
• Water
• Wastewater/sewer
• Internet
• Trash services

Monroe County identifies several major utility providers, including:

• Florida Keys Electric Cooperative, generally serving Ocean Reef through Marathon
• Keys Energy Services, generally serving from the Seven Mile Bridge through Key West
• Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, water services
• Key Largo Wastewater District, Key Largo and Islamorada

7. Understand Insurance Before You Buy

This is one of the biggest relocation considerations.

A home in the Keys isn't simply another Florida property.

Before purchasing, investigate:

• Homeowners insurance
• Flood insurance
• Wind coverage
• Hurricane deductibles
• Property elevation
• Flood zone
• Roof age
• Impact windows
• Previous claims
• Replacement costs

A home that looks affordable based on its purchase price can have significantly different ownership costs once insurance, taxes, maintenance and storm preparation are included.

8. Learn Your Evacuation Zone

This is particularly important for anyone relocating from out of state.

Monroe County has a five-zone evacuation system for the Florida Keys.

The zones run from Key West and the Lower Keys through the Middle and Upper Keys toward the mainland.

The county uses phased evacuations because the Keys are connected by the Overseas Highway and bridges, creating unique evacuation challenges.

Monroe County's emergency planning specifically addresses evacuation of residents and visitors before major storms.

Before You Move

Know:

• Your evacuation zone
• Your evacuation route
• Where you'll go if ordered to leave
• Where you'll take pets
• Where important documents are stored
• What you'll do with your boat
• How you'll secure your property

9. Get Your Monroe County Re-Entry Sticker

This is a detail that someone moving from another state might not know about.

Monroe County residents can obtain a Resident Re-Entry Windshield Sticker for registered vehicles.

The sticker helps residents return to the Keys following a hurricane or other event when checkpoints are established.

The county currently uses different re-entry zones for:

• Upper Keys
• Middle Keys
• Lower Keys

Key West has its own re-entry sticker system.

The county recommends getting the sticker before hurricane season or before a storm threatens the area because stickers aren't issued once a state of emergency has been declared.

10. Prepare for Hurricane Season

This is perhaps the biggest lifestyle adjustment for someone moving from outside Florida.

Monroe County advises residents to have an emergency plan, emergency supplies and evacuation plans ready.

Your household should know:

• Where to evacuate
• How you'll leave
• What you'll take
• Where your pets will go
• How you'll secure your property
• Where important documents are stored
• How you'll receive emergency alerts

The county recommends signing up for Alert!Monroe and maintaining an emergency kit.

And remember: living in the Keys means being prepared to leave when officials order an evacuation.

11. Update Your Financial and Personal Records

After relocating, remember to update your address with:

• Banks
• Credit cards
• Employer
• Insurance companies
• Retirement accounts
• Investment accounts
• Medical providers
• Schools
• Subscription services
• Government agencies
• Tax-related accounts

If you're moving permanently, consistency matters, especially when establishing Florida residency.

12. Find Your Local Services Before You Need Them

Don't wait for an emergency to figure out where everything is.

Before or shortly after moving, identify:

• Primary-care providers
• Pharmacies
• Hospitals
• Veterinarians
• Grocery stores
• Hardware stores
• Gas stations
• Marinas
• Mechanics
• Contractors
• Insurance agents
• Property managers
• Local government offices

Monroe County maintains a local resource directory with healthcare, utility and other community contacts.

13. If You're Moving With Children

If you're relocating with children, research the school options before choosing your home.

The address of your property can affect school options, transportation and daily commute.

For someone relocating permanently, school location can also be one of the factors considered when establishing Florida residency for homestead purposes.

14. If You're Bringing a Boat

For many people, moving to the Keys means bringing, or buying, a boat.

Before choosing a waterfront property, investigate:

• Canal depth
• Bridge clearance
• Dock configuration
• Boat lift
• Seawall condition
• Mooring
• Ocean access
• Navigation restrictions
• HOA restrictions
• Local regulations

Waterfront doesn't automatically mean easy ocean access.

Two homes can both be described as "canal-front" while offering very different boating experiences.

15. If You're Moving From Another Country

If by "out of state" you actually mean outside the United States, the situation is different.

You'll need to address immigration/visa status and federal requirements before treating Florida as your permanent residence.

You may also have additional considerations involving:

• Social Security
• Tax residency
• Banking
• Driver licensing
• Foreign assets
• Health insurance
• Employment authorization

So the relocation process for an international buyer should be handled separately from a typical move between U.S. states.

Moving to the Keys: Your Basic Checklist

Before the Move

• ☐  Choose your Keys community
• ☐  Find a home or long-term rental
• ☐  Get homeowners/flood insurance quotes
• ☐  Check flood zone and elevation
• ☐  Understand property taxes
• ☐  Arrange utilities
• ☐  Plan your move
• ☐  Research schools if applicable
• ☐  Plan for hurricane evacuation

After You Move

• ☐  Get Florida driver's license
• ☐  Register vehicle
• ☐  Update insurance
• ☐  Update financial accounts
• ☐  Establish Florida residency
• ☐  Apply for homestead exemption if eligible
• ☐  Register to vote if eligible
• ☐  Set up utilities
• ☐  Get Monroe County re-entry sticker
• ☐  Sign up for Alert!Monroe
• ☐  Create your hurricane plan

Call me first at (305) 393-5859. I will help you understand which Keys community fits your lifestyle and budget, review the property's insurance, flood risk and evacuation picture, and connect you with the local services you will need. Relocating to the Keys is a big move, and a conversation is the best way to get the precise guidance your situation calls for.