CHL and moving out of state temporarily

[Ramok]

Here is my situation: I have been a resident of Texas for most of my life, and my CHL is currently in the mail to me. I am relocating to Florida next week and will be on work assignment for 2-3 years. I have a few questions about how this affects my CHL.

I want to keep my Texas residency as I intend on moving back after this assignment. My parents are letting me use their Texas address as my residence on record, and they will forward any documents to me. When I get to FL, do I need to submit a change of address to the DPS for the CHL, or will I be fine as long as I have a Texas residence?

Something else to note: My TX drivers license is expiring this December so I will be renewing with a FL drivers license. How will I be able to log in online to make changes to the CHL, will my expired drivers license number still work? I'm thinking the solution would be to get a Texas ID Card before I leave. Will a new CHL need to be issued since it wont be tied to my DL or could it possibly invalidate it?

The other solution would be to convert to a non-resident CHL, but I would like to avoid this if at all possible.

In case you haven't noticed, I'm new here! I signed up with the advice from people on Sig Forum. Even though I'm going to Florida, I'll always be a proud Texan!

[Keith B]

Here is my situation: I have been a resident of Texas for most of my life, and my CHL is currently in the mail to me. I am relocating to Florida next week and will be on work assignment for 2-3 years. I have a few questions about how this affects my CHL.

I want to keep my Texas residency as I intend on moving back after this assignment. My parents are letting me use their Texas address as my residence on record, and they will forward any documents to me. When I get to FL, do I need to submit a change of address to the DPS for the CHL, or will I be fine as long as I have a Texas residence?

Something else to note: My TX drivers license is expiring this December so I will be renewing with a FL drivers license. How will I be able to log in online to make changes to the CHL, will my expired drivers license number still work? I'm thinking the solution would be to get a Texas ID Card before I leave. Will a new CHL need to be issued since it wont be tied to my DL or could it possibly invalidate it?

The other solution would be to convert to a non-resident CHL, but I would like to avoid this if at all possible.

In case you haven't noticed, I'm new here! I signed up with the advice from people on Sig Forum. Even though I'm going to Florida, I'll always be a proud Texan!

Unless I am wrong, you will not be able to get a Florida drivers license if you list your residence in Texas.

If you keep your legal residence in Texas, and meet the requirements to stay a Texas resident, then the CHL should stay valid.

If you did change residency to Florida, and converted your CHL to a Texas non-resident CHL, Florida will not accept non-resident CHL permits as valid and you can't carry.

My suggestion is to make sure to keep Texas residency, Texas drivers license and Texas resident CHL and obtain a Florida non-resident CWP. Just make sure to follow the guidelines to keep your residency status valid.

If that is not possible, you will need to covert everything to Florida. Trying to do the dual resident thing can cause issues.

[Ramok]

Does is matter that I wont own any property in Florida? I'll only be renting an apartment.

Why would a non-resident TX CHL not be valid in Florida?

[Keith B]

Does is matter that I wont own any property in Florida? I'll only be renting an apartment.

I am not a lawyer or tax consultant, and I didn’t sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night so I could be incorrect. However, here is how I have seen it handled before:

You will have to keep EVERYTHING listed as Texas (taxes, vehicle, drivers’ license, etc.) At that point, you will also have to probably make trips back to Texas for short stays every month or so to stay truly valid. You can have temporary living quarters, but will have to list everything as if you live in Texas. That means your employer will have to show your address in Texas also on all of their records.

[Penn]

Does is matter that I wont own any property in Florida? I'll only be renting an apartment.

Why would a non-resident TX CHL not be valid in Florida?

Because that's Florida law - along with several other states that don't recognize non-resident CHL's. http://www.handgunlaw.us lists the others.

[Bif]

I am relocating to Florida next week and will be on work assignment for 2-3 years. I have a few questions about how this affects my CHL.

I want to keep my Texas residency as I intend on moving back after this assignment. My parents are letting me use their Texas address as my residence on record, and they will forward any documents to me. When I get to FL, do I need to submit a change of address to the DPS for the CHL, or will I be fine as long as I have a Texas residence?

Something else to note: My TX drivers license is expiring this December so I will be renewing with a FL drivers license.

With the exception of military service members, most folks accepting employment in another state are considered to be establishing residency and are required to change DL and vehicle tags to the new state of residency.

Usually you are given 30 days to make these changes.

The advice to make frequent visits back to Texas may not "hold water". Contact a CHL instructor and ask him to see if he can get any answers from DPS as a "hypothetical".

If I am correct here is what you could do: Your CHL fee is not refundable in any case so see if you can convert to non resident type after your move (originally the TX non res permit was reserved for folks from states that did not issue any).

When you have changed to Florida DL apply for FL permit which is recognized here in Texas (at present even for Texas resident). Save your Texas training certificate as FL recognized mine for my non resident Concealed Weapon Permit.

Good luck, your situation is a bit complex.

Now if you are active duty military, the "home of record" thing will work for you as that is is covered in Federal law.

[CJATE]

i was out of state for several years as a student in ARK. if I were you, I would renew you TX license now, or when your back over thanksgiving... and keep you TX DL and CHL. Students do that all the time.

also, any one can get a FL out of state CHL. lots of truckers and travelers get it to add states to there list of OK states.

[Ramok]

I'm working as a contractor for the government and according to FL law, I have a 60 day extension to establish residency.

I got an email response from the FL licensing division and they stated I should apply for a FL CWP when I arrive. They will accept my Texas training cert, and a personal check for $117! With the time extension, my Texas CHL will be valid for a while longer, so It looks like i'll JUST be able to squeak by with my CHL's overlapping if I apply quickly (and do electronic fingerprinting).

I wanted to stay a Texas resident, but it's getting too complicated....

I shall return in the future!