Texas Domicile & Residency

Interested in establishing your domicile in Texas? Take a look at the steps below to understand what tasks and forms should be completed.
The information contained on these pages is not to be considered legal advice. You should always check with your attorney to confirm specific state laws and how they might apply to your personal situation.

Becoming a Resident

Step 1: Secure a mailing address with Escapees Mail Service.

Escapees Mail service members who wish to use their Rainbow Drive address as their physical address for domicile purposes may do so.

Step 2: Establish professional and social connections within the county of domicile.

If using your Rainbow Drive mailing address, your county would be Polk County. Contact professionals, e.g. lawyers, doctors, dentists, accountants, financial planners, and insurance agents, and social and/or religious organizations to begin your relationship with them.
- Escapees RV Club has created a collaborative network of professionals with the goal to provide you with solutions for all your critical domicile related services and Texas based needs, called the Texas Domicile Suite of Services.
Make appointments well in advance of your arrival as sometimes these professionals book up quickly.
Contact an attorney to update estate planning documents in accordance with the laws of Texas, or create estate planning documents. The attorney may begin preparing those documents in advance of your arrival. (We recommend Escapees Commercial Partner, East Texas Legal, PLLC.)
Obtain quotes for vehicle and health insurance plans. Please note that quotes from insurance agents typically expire within a few weeks of receiving them, so time this according to your arrival date.

Step 3: Prepare the driver’s license application, the vehicle registration, and voter registration forms.

Driver’s License Requirements

Apply in person at any Department of Public Safety office in Texas within 90 days of establishing residency. Once you become a resident of Polk County, Texas, we suggest you apply at that office.
Current valid, unexpired driver’s license must be surrendered when applying for the new license. If current license is unavailable, you must show mail (such as an insurance bill) received at that address.
Complete the application provided in the Department of Public Safety office.
Present proof of vehicle registration. (See Vehicle Registration Requirements section below.)
Present either:

One primary identity document, such as a passport.
If that is not available, two secondary identity documents such as:
1. Original or certified copy of birth certificate,
2. Certificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350 or FS-545) or Consular Report of Birth (FS-240) for citizens born abroad, or
3. Original or certified copy of a court order with name and date of birth indicating a name and/or gender change from a United States state, territory, the District of Columbia, or a Canadian province;
If two of these documents are not available, present one secondary identity document (see above) and two supporting identity documents, such as:
1. Social Security card,
2. Form w-2, or
3. Current unexpired driver’s license issued by another state.

Pass the knowledge and driving test, unless exempt (the Department of Public Safety will be able to provide exempt status.

Voter Registration Requirements:

Obtained along with the acquisition of a driver’s license

Vehicle Registration Requirements:

A vehicle owner has 30 days to register a vehicle after establishing residency in Texas.
The vehicle has to be physically present in Texas to be inspected.
Once the inspection is completed and the vehicle has passed, the owner must go to the county tax office with the proof of inspection and proof of car insurance.

- Vehicle owners that are still making payments on their vehicle will need to complete Texas Certificate of Title (Form 130-U), the Application for Registration Purposes Only (Form VTR-272), and provide current proof of registration.
- Vehicle owners that are no longer making payments on their vehicle will need to produce the current title and current registration.
RV owners must bring proof of weight and a photograph of the exterior of the vehicle.
- The registration fee is based on the weight of the vehicle. RV owners might find bringing a copy of the spec sheet, located in the RV, to be helpful.
- The weight of 5th-wheels and travel trailers must be provided as gross weight.
- The weight for motorhomes must be provided as unloaded weight.
- A photograph is required simply for terminology purposes

Vehicle Inspections:

As of March 1, 2015, vehicles will no longer be issued an inspection sticker and your registration sticker will serve as combined proof of inspection and registration. See Texas Vehicle Inspection information for complete details.

If you are an RVer and your vehicle is out of state and you are unable to complete a Texas vehicle inspection in order to renew your registration, you will be able to self-certify that the vehicle is out of state and will be permitted to register.

Step 4: Create an official record of intent to domicile.

Complete an Affidavit of Domicile form. Here is the “Texas Residency Affidavit” form by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Step 5: Appearance in the state.

File forms with various state agencies.
Pay applicable taxes.
Meet with aforementioned professionals.
To the extent that is practical, bring your personal possessions, which are not housed in your RV, to your new county of domicile and store them there.

Texas Domicile Suite of Services

Escapees RV Club, and the following businesses, have created a collaborative network of professionals with the goal to provide you with solutions for all your critical domicile-related services and Texas-based needs. We refer to these services as the Texas Domicile Suite of Services.

Together, we are here to support you and your lifestyle.

Domicile

Legal advice on questions of domicile as a full-time RVer.

Estate Planning

Quality legal advice to establish a comprehensive estate plan.

Banking

Banking services to to support your personal and businees financial needs.

Financial

In-depth evaluation of your current financial situation.

Investments

A broad range of financial services to fit your needs.

Property Insurance

Property & casualty insurance through multiple RV insurance carriers for full-time RVers.

Health Insurance

Licensed agents who will shop, advise, and let you decide.

Taxes

Assisting RVers with tax preparation, planning, and bookkeeping.

Voting Information

Voter Registration

A voter registration becomes effective 30 days after it is received by the registrar of voters. You must register to vote in the county in which you reside. If you are submitting your application for registration and registering for the first time in this county, bring a copy of your valid driver’s license (with an address in the same county in which you are applying) or one of the following:
- A copy of a current bank statement, vehicle registration, insurance, government check, pay-check, or other government document that shows your name and address.
- It is our understanding that Escapees members could also use a copy of their Escapees Mail Service membership card (as long as it has their complete mailing address printed on it).
- A Rainbow’s End rent receipt.
- We recommend that you register to vote in person. It is convenient to do while you are registering your vehicles, obtaining your driver’s license, and establishing other community ties.
Texas voter registration applications are available through many sources. You can:
- Download an application form from www.sos.state.tx.us
- Request one from the county clerk.
- Ask an Escapees operator to place one in your mail.

Example: This is a sample for those who use their PMB /Rainbow’s End as their domicile and legal residence.

- Fill in the physical description line 3 with: Rainbow’s End – (Your Street #) Rainbow Dr. (Your PMB #).
- Fill in line 4 with: (Your Street #) Rainbow Drive (Your PMB #)

Applying for a ballot by mail:

Once you have registered to vote, you may apply for a ballot. You can request a ballot application from the county clerk’s office (See “Voter Resources” below) or download one from www.sos.state.tx.us.

It is very important that you fill out your application for ballot carefully and completely. There are eight critical boxes that must be completed:

Name
Residence Address (Your personal mailing address)
Type and Date of Election (example: Primary/March 06)
Party Preference (You MUST select a party if voting in a primary.)
Reason for voting by mail (out of county traveling)
Special Instructions For Mailing Ballot (Most of you would probably indicate “Address outside of the county.”)
Mail My Ballot To (When you are voting absentee, you cannot have your ballot sent to any address in the county in which you are registered, unless you are 65 or older or disabled.) Escapees Mail Service members who are traveling out of the state may have their ballots sent to the following address:
Your Name c/o Escapees RV Club, PO Box 1578 Shepherd, TX 77371. There will be a $5.00-per-ballot fee charged to your postage account to help defray the costs for this service.
Sign Here (make sure you sign your application).

Including your phone number will allow the county clerk to contact you if needed.

Returning the absentee ballot:

The voter must personally vote and sign the return envelope.

For Voter Registration and absentee balloting:
County Clerk’s Office
101 W. Mill St. Suite 265
Livingston, TX. 77351
Polk County ballot applications fax: 936-327-6874
Polk County Clerk’s Office: 936-327-6805

Early Voting Application

To be eligible to vote early by mail in Texas, you must:

be 65 years or older;
be disabled;
be out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance; or
be confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.

To request an Early Voting application from the Secretary of State website.
Go to www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/reqabbm.shtml and enter your mailing address.
An application will be mailed to you directly. This will save the step of requesting an application by mail from the early voting clerk in your county!

Voting Resources

These web links can be used to research information on candidates and issues relating to the upcoming election:
www.sos.state.tx.us/ – Texas Secretary of State
Online Guide to Texas Politics
www.lwvtexas.org – League of Women Voters
www.votesmart.org
Texas Democratic Party Website
Texas Green Party Website
Texas Libertarian Party Website
Texas Republican Party Website

Driver's License Information

Texas License Requirements

Apply in person at any Department of Public Safety office in Texas within 90 days of establishing residency. You will need to complete an application (also available at any driver’s license office).

Gather documents that verify your identity, citizenship, and Texas residency. View a complete list of acceptable identity documents.

Present either Identity documents:
1. One primary identity document, such as a passport.
2. If that is not available, two secondary identity documents such as:
  1. Original or certified copy of birth certificate,
  2. Certificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350 or FS-545) or Consular Report of Birth (FS-240) for citizens born abroad, or
  3. Original or certified copy of a court order with name and date of birth indicating a name and/or gender change from a United States state, territory, the District of Columbia, or a Canadian province;
3. If two of these documents are not available, present one secondary identity document (see above) and two supporting identity documents, such as:
  1. Social Security card,
  2. Form W-2, or
  3. Current unexpired driver’s license issued by another state
Your original, unaltered Social Security card, or fill out an affidavit attesting that you have never had one issued. To apply for or replace your social security card go to the Social Security Administration website.
Proof of vehicle registration and financial responsibility. (See Vehicle Registration Requirements section.)
Pass the knowledge and driving test, unless exempt (the Department of Public Safety will be able to provide exempt status.) If you hold a valid, unexpired driver’s license from another state you will not need to take the knowledge or driving test.

License Classifications

RVs operated for personal pleasure in Texas may require either a class B or A driver’s license if they meet certain weight ratings.
Here’s the relevant info, excerpted from the DPS Driver’s License Handbook:
CLASSIFIED DRIVER LICENSE (Texas Transportation Code, Section 521) The following listed Class A, B, C, and M licenses will be issued to persons who are exempt from obtaining a Commercial Driver License or persons who are not required to obtain a Commercial Driver License:
1. Class A driver license permits a person to drive any vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds; including a vehicle included in Class B or Class C, except a motorcycle or moped.
2. Class B driver license permits a person to drive the following vehicles, except a motorcycle or moped:
3. Class C driver license permits a person to drive the following vehicles, except a motorcycle or moped:
4. Class M driver license permits a person to drive a motorcycle or moped.

Additional Information

Texas Department of Public safety: http://dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/

Livingston Driver License Office : 936-327-6806

Texas Vehicle Registration Information

Passenger Car

Pick Up Truck

Motorcycle

Motorhome

Trailer, Trailer Trailer, 5th Wheel

Trailer, Travel Trailer and 5th Wheel Form

Download this Domicile Guide along with a checklist of documents to bring with you.

Interested in establishing your domicile in Texas? Take a look at the steps below to understand what tasks and forms should be completed.
The information contained on these pages is not to be considered legal advice. You should always check with your attorney to confirm specific state laws and how they might apply to your personal situation.

Get Expert Advice

Escapees cannot, and does not, offer legal advice. Instead, we sought out qualified legal advisors who can!
To help you understand your legal options, we recommend contacting Escapees Commercial Partner, East Texas Legal, for a free consultation. They specialize in domicile and estate planning issues that RVers face.

LICENSE AGREEMENT

This Agreement is effective on the date the Intellectual Property is downloaded by the Licensee.

Recitals

A. Licensor is in the business of providing a total support network for all recreational vehicle enthusiasts (“RVers”/ “RVing Community.”) and owns the Intellectual Property, the form of which, is set forth at escapees.com hereby incorporated by reference.

B. Licensee wishes to use the Intellectual Property, for one of the following uses: personal blogs, personal YouTube channels or similar web-based channels, and/or personal websites. The use shall be selected at the time the Licensee downloads the Intellectual Property; and, the use shall hereby be incorporated by reference into this Agreement. The use of the Intellectual Property shall not be commercial in nature.

C. Licensor is willing to grant the Licensee a license to use the Intellectual Property on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements set forth below, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

Article II: License

A. The Licensor hereby grants to the Licensee, and the Licensee hereby accepts, a nonexclusive, nontransferable license (the “License”) to use the Intellectual Property.

B. No other right or license is granted by Licensor to Licensee or by Licensee to Licensor, either express or implied, with respect to any other trademark, trade name, service mark, or other intellectual property right owned, possessed, or licensed by or to Licensor. Licensee shall not use the Intellectual Property in any manner not specifically authorized by this Agreement.

Article III: Operation under License

A. The Licensee must obtain all governmental permits, licenses, registrations, and approvals needed to produce and market the Product or provide the Service and must operate under the License in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Specifically, but without limitation, when using any of the Intellectual Property, the Licensee must comply with all laws relating to intellectual property in force, including marking requirements. At the request of Licensor, and without compensation to Licensee, Licensee shall promptly do such acts and execute, acknowledge, and deliver all such papers as may be necessary or desirable, in the sole discretion of Licensor, to obtain, maintain, protect, and/or vest in Licensor the entire right, title, and interest in and to any Intellectual Property; including rendering such assistance as Licensor may request in any litigation, Patent and Trademark Office proceeding, or other proceeding. All use of any Intellectual Property by Licensee on any good shall inure to the benefit and be the property of Licensor.

B. The Licensee may use the Intellectual Property only in connection with goods manufactured, distributed, and sold by or for, and/or services provided by or for, the Licensee in accordance with the specifications, directions, and processes furnished to the Licensor by the Licensee or its representatives and agents from time to time; and, the quality of all goods sold under the Intellectual Property must be satisfactory to the Licensor or as specified by the Licensor. The Licensee must furnish to the Licensor, upon request, with samples of goods sold or distributed, and/or examples of how Licensee provides services, using one or more of the Intellectual Property. In addition, in order to assure that the development, manufacture, appearance, quality, and distribution of the Product and/or Service are consonant with the Intellectual Property used to identify it or them, Licensor retains the right to participate at each stage of development of any Product or any other Material Requiring Approval and to approve or disapprove of any development, manufacture, appearance, quality, and/or distribution.

C. Whenever the Licensee uses any of the Intellectual Property, in advertising or in connection with goods that it sells or distributes, the Intellectual Property must be displayed in accordance with specifications and directions furnished by the Licensor to the Licensee, from time to time. Licensee shall use upon or in connection with the Product, and/or Service, where a United States Federal Trademark Registration has been obtained, the symbol ®. Licensee shall not otherwise affix or use such in connection with nor use any other trademark or trade name in connection with the Product without Licensor’s prior written approval. The Licensee must also clearly indicate the Licensor’s ownership of the Intellectual Property whenever one of the Intellectual Property is used. Licensee agrees to use such copyright notice as may be prescribed by legal counsel for Licensor, from time-to-time.

Article IV: Assignment and Subleasing

A. This Agreement and the License are personal to the Licensee, and the Licensee may not assign or sublicense any of the rights granted to the Licensee under this Agreement without the advance written consent of the Licensor, which consent may be withheld for any reason whatsoever. Any purported assignment or sublicense by the Licensee (or by operation of law) that is not approved in writing by the Licensor will be null and void and of no legal effect whatsoever.

B. This Agreement may be assigned by the Licensor to any person or entity whatsoever.

Article V: Licensorship and Protection of Intellectual Property

The Licensee acknowledges the Licensor’s exclusive right, title, and interest in the Intellectual Property and will not at any time do or cause to be done any act or thing contesting or in any way impairing or tending to impair any part of such right, title, and interest. Specifically, but without limitation, the Licensee will at no time adopt or use any word or mark that is likely to be similar to or confusing with the Intellectual Property. In connection with use of the Intellectual Property, the Licensee will not in any manner represent that it has ownership of the Intellectual Property or any registration thereof, and the Licensee acknowledges that use of the Intellectual Property will not create in the Licensee’s favor any right, title, or interest in or to the Intellectual Property, but all uses of the Intellectual Property by the Licensee, including any goodwill generated by such use, will inure to the benefit of the Licensor. The Licensor will be responsible for trademark registrations and must use commercially reasonable efforts to file, prosecute, and maintain all trademark and related registrations and registration applications for the Intellectual Property.

Article VI: Infringement

Only the Licensor shall have the right, but not the obligation, to prosecute any infringement of the Intellectual Property. The Licensee must promptly inform the Licensor of any infringement that comes to the Licensee’s attention, regardless of whether the Licensee elects to prosecute the infringement.

Article VII: Licensor’s Warranties and Representations

The Licensor is the sole Licensor of the Intellectual Property and has a good right to license the rights in the Intellectual Property to the Licensee in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Article VIII: Indemnity

A. Licensee represents and warrants that it has the right to enter into this Agreement and to agree to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Licensee agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless the Licensor , and its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, and affiliates, against all controversies, disputes, claims, liability, and expenses (including legal fees) relating to this Agreement, whether sounding in contract, tort or otherwise, brought by a third party.

B. Licensee shall promptly notify the Licensor of any claim, in writing; and, Licensee shall cooperate with the Licensor in the defense of any claim.

Article IX: Term and Termination

A. The term of the License will commence on the date of this Agreement and will continue in effect for a period of one (1) year. At the expiration of the initial one-year term of the License, or any renewal thereof, the License will be renewed for a period of one year beginning on the date of the expiration of the prior term, unless either the Licensor or the Licensee gives written notice of termination to the other not later than thirty (30) days before the expiration of the prior term. If notice of termination is given, the License will terminate on the expiration of the existing term.

B. The Licensor may, at its option, terminate the License prior to the end of its term by written notice to the Licensee if Licensee violates any of the terms of this Agreement.

C. Termination or expiration of the License will not in any way operate to impair or destroy any of the Licensor’s or the Licensee’s preexisting rights or remedies, either at law or in equity.

D. Immediately following the termination or expiration of the License, all rights granted to Licensee hereunder shall automatically revert to Licensor and Licensee shall execute any and all documents evidencing such automatic reversion; and, the Licensee must cease and desist from all use of the Intellectual Property in any way and deliver to the Licensor all material and papers on which the Intellectual Property appear that are in the Licensee’s possession.

E. Licensee shall, within three (3) months after such expiration or termination, deliver to Licensor a complete and accurate statement indicating that all existing inventories of Product have been destroyed and all references to Intellectual Property have been removed from Licensee’s properties.

Article X: Relationship

A. The relationship between the Licensor and the Licensee is that of licensor and licensee, and it is not the purpose or intention of this agreement or of the parties to create a partnership, joint venture, principal-agent, or other relationship for any purpose whatsoever. Neither the Licensor nor the Licensee is authorized to or has the power to obligate or bind the other party in any manner whatsoever except as may be expressly provided in this Agreement.

Article XI: Binding Effect

A. The provisions of this Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of the heirs, personal representatives, successors, and assigns (where applicable) of the parties.

Article XII: Notice

A. All notices and other communications between the parties must be in writing.
B. Notices must be given by (i) personal delivery, (ii) a nationally-recognized, next-day courier service, (iii) first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid to the party’s address specified in this agreement, or to the address that a party has notified to be that party’s address for the purposes of this section, (iv) or via email.
C. A Notice given in accordance with this Agreement will be effective upon receipt by the party to which it is given or, if mailed, upon the earlier of receipt and the fifth Business Day following mailing.

Licensor:
Teresa Moore, COO
Escapees, Inc.
100 Rainbow Drive
Livingston, Texas 77351

Licensee:

______
______
______, ______ ______

Article XIII: Attorney’s Fees

In the event of any controversies, disputes, and/or claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement, whether sounding in contract, tort, or otherwise, each party shall bear its own costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with such action.
Article XIV: Confidentiality

Licensee shall maintain the confidentiality of all trade and proprietary secrets that may be disclosed in the course of providing the services under this agreement. Licensor shall identify to Licensee in advance and in writing any information or data deemed a trade or proprietary secret.
ARTICLE XV: CHOICE OF LAW
The parties agree that the laws of Texas shall govern this Agreement and all controversies, disputes and claims relating to, in connection with or arising out of this Agreement or breach of this Agreement, whether sounding in contract, tort, or otherwise, and whether settled by binding arbitration or by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Article XVI: Waiver
A party’s failure or neglect to enforce any of its rights under this agreement will not be deemed to be a waiver of that rights or any other of its rights.
Article XVII: Headings and Construction
The section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Article XVIII: Counterparts
The parties to this Agreement may sign this Agreement in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together form one single document. Moreover, this Agreement shall become effective when each of the parties to this Agreement sign one or more counterparts and delivered the signed counterpart to each of the other parties to this Agreement, in accordance with ARTICLE II: NOTICE of this Agreement.
Article XIX: Severability
If any term or provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and, that illegal, invalid, or unenforceable term or provision shall be modified to the extent necessary to render such term or provision enforceable. The rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced accordingly, preserving to the fullest permissible extent the intent and agreements of the parties, without frustrating the purpose of the Agreement.
Article XX: Entire Agreement, Modification and Integration
A. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties. Each party acknowledges that in entering into this Agreement it does not rely on, and shall have no remedies in respect of, any representation or warranty (whether made expressly or impliedly) that is not set out in this agreement.
B. This Agreement may not be modified other than in a writing, dated, executed by an authorized representative of both parties, stating its intent to modify or supersede this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the Notice clause of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Licensor has caused this Agreement to be executed by offering the Intellectual Property for download on escapees.com; and, Licensee has caused this Agreement to be executed personally or, as appropriate, by its duly authorized officers by downloading the Intellectual Property.