Relocation Checklist

A practical checklist for households moving to Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, or Richmond City. Deadlines below are from official Virginia sources and were verified on October 27, 2026.

Verify before you act: Rules and local fees change. Re-check dmv.virginia.gov, your locality Treasurer or Commissioner of the Revenue, and your school division before deadlines pass.

Virginia DMV (driver license and vehicle)

• Driver license: New residents have sixty (60) days to obtain a Virginia driver license. If you hold a commercial driver license (CDL), you must obtain a Virginia CDL within thirty (30) days. Source: Virginia DMV, New to Virginia.
• Title your vehicle: Title the vehicle in Virginia within thirty (30) days of moving here, before registration.
• Register and get plates: After titling and meeting insurance requirements, register and obtain Virginia plates within thirty (30) days.
• Safety inspection: Virginia requires an annual safety inspection sticker before operating the vehicle.
• Emissions: Emissions testing applies to certain Northern Virginia localities. Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, and Richmond City are not listed on the DMV new-resident emissions list as of the verification date.
• Local sticker / decal: Some localities require a local vehicle sticker or decal within thirty days. Check your new locality Treasurer or Commissioner of the Revenue. These are not issued by DMV.

Personal property (car) tax

Virginia localities tax vehicles kept or garaged in their jurisdiction. After you move, notify the Commissioner of the Revenue or Finance Department in your new locality and cancel or update the prior locality. Rates for tax year 2026 (or currently posted) include:

• Henrico: $3.35 per $100 assessed
• Chesterfield: $3.25 per $100 assessed (automobiles and trucks)
• Hanover: $3.57 per $100 assessed
• Richmond City: $3.70 per $100 assessed (passenger vehicles and trucks under 10,000 lbs)

PPTRA relief on the first $20,000 of assessed value for qualifying personal-use vehicles varies by locality. Ask about filing deadlines when you register your vehicle locally.

Utilities by locality

• Henrico: Start water, sewer, and refuse with Henrico Public Utilities (804-501-4275). Electric service is typically Dominion Energy.
• Chesterfield: Water and sewer through Chesterfield Utilities; trash through a private hauler; electric typically Dominion Energy.
• Hanover: Water and sewer through Hanover Public Utilities where available; many rural homes use well and septic. Electric may be Dominion Energy or Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. Trash often via convenience centers and/or private haulers.
• Richmond City: Water, sewer, and gas through City DPU / Richmond Gas Works; electric through Dominion Energy; trash through City Public Works.

Schedule transfers two to three weeks before closing or move-in when possible.

Voter registration

• Register online or in person through the Virginia Department of Elections.
• You can also register at DMV when you get your Virginia license.
• Virginia offers same-day registration with a provisional ballot during early voting or on Election Day if you meet eligibility rules. Confirm current deadlines at elections.virginia.gov before each election.
• Update your address if you were already registered in another Virginia locality.

School enrollment

Contact the school division for the address you will occupy. You will typically need proof of residency, the student birth certificate, immunization records, and prior school records.

• Henrico County Public Schools
• Chesterfield County Public Schools
• Hanover County Public Schools
• Richmond Public Schools

Verify school zone by address with the division boundary tool before you finalize a purchase contract if schools are a deciding factor.

First thirty days at a glance

1. Confirm closing date, utilities start dates, and temporary housing if needed.
2. Title and register vehicles; schedule safety inspection.
3. Apply for Virginia driver license (within sixty days; CDL within thirty).
4. Register or update voter registration.
5. Enroll students and request records transfers.
6. Update mailing address, insurance, banks, and employers.
7. Introduce yourself to HOA management if applicable.