How to get a Florida Resident's pass?

[PhotobearSam]

My family just bought a house in Punta Gorda Florida and we are now able to get Florida Residents passes. How do I go about this?


I know I need a Florida ID but what do I have to bring to the DMV to get my Florida ID?

Then, how do I buy a Florida Seasonal Pass? Can I only get it at WDW?


Thanks

 

[tacomaranch]

Just bring your florida ID. To get that you need to check with the DMV to see what you need. Usually Birth Cert or passport and an electric bill or rent bill or something showing where you live.

I own a house in Delray beach, florida but stay out west during the summers because of the heat. We have a Fl. Resident seasonal pass.

 

[rlovew]

Each member of your family over age 16 will need there own ID in order to use the FL resident passes.

 

[jcriket]

We use a florida DL. We usually buy our tickets at a Disney Store in the mall. They are just vouchers, so we buy one a month, to make the cost more affordable. Then on our fist trip we exchange the vouchers for passes, that's when you need a DL. As far as every member needing a DL, they never asked for our kids till they were 18, our oldest never got a DL till then. Welcome to Florida.

 

[Eljay]

http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/florid.htm
FL AAA offices sell FL resident Disney passes.

 

[cleo]

Utility bills, etc, don't count any more. You have to have valid photo ID.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . My family just bought a house in Punta Gorda Florida and we are now able to get Florida Residents passes. How do I go about this? . . .

1) If a vacation home, you DO NOT qualify - only permanent residences.
2) The discounts are meant for Florida RESIDENTS.
3) This means you must have a
. . . Florida Driver's License *
. . . Florida DMV ID (like a driver's license without driving privileges)
. . . Military ID from a Florida base
. . . College ID from a Florida college
. . . Florida Voter Registration Card with Corresponding Photo ID
4) No longer valid to get a Florida Discounts at WDW
. . . utility bills
. . . letters addressed to Florida house
. . . bills addressed to Florida house

* To get a Florida Driver's License, you surrender your current state license and get a Florida license. You also then get Florida insurance because most home states won't recognize another state license without current state insurance, etc. It gets really costly.

 

[jonesmatNY]

This link is to the Florida DMV Website.
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us

You can either change your current license to florida or, if you need to keep your original state's license, you can get a florida picture id card, which is acceptable for the Florida Resident Rate Passes, etc at WDW. The ID Card is only $3, any way you choose, its very easy and there is a local office in Punta Gorda. I share my time between NY and Punta Gorda(Deep Creek). I keep my NY License, but have a Florida ID Card.

 

[bavaria]

Sam, be aware that getting a FL ID can also be complicated by the fact that you are Canadian. Are you moving to Florida to live, or to live and work? if you are, and are going to get a DL, you will need to have the appropriate Visa documentation which shows that you have completed the required steps to be a legal resident of the US, and/or work in the US.

Having completed that process myself awhile back, I can attest that it is quite complex, and very strict.

 

[PhotobearSam]

All I wanted to know was what did I need to bring in to the DMV to get my Florida ID.

We are permanent residents as we have bought the house. We will be there over 6 months a year. It's a family home. My parents already have their Florida Driver's lis. and they did not have to surrender their Canadian ones either. I am going to get just the Photo ID because I am not going to Drive but DH will get the driver's lis.


Do I just show up at the DMV and tell them where our house is and that's it or do I need anything with me to give to them...?

 

[RoyalCanadian]

We are permanent residents as we have bought the house. We will be there over 6 months a year.

Has your family considered the implications regarding healthcare entitlement in Canada by spending over 6 months in Florida?

ETA:

Effective January 1, 1993, New Brunswick increased its minimum residence requirement to 183 days, in order to bring it in line with other jurisdictions.

An eligible person may be temporarily absent from the province for the purpose of vacation, visits or business arrangements; however, this absence must not exceed 182 days in a 12-month period, unless approved by the Director of Medicare.​

 

[PhotobearSam]

Yes we have ...thank you.

We are in total going to use the house over 6 months a year but none of us will be there for over 180 days each.

 

[safetymom]

Some of the FL DMV's it is a good idea to call them and schedule an appointment. The lines can be long so make the appt. and you won't spend as much time at the office.

 

[Northstar]

Well, I was curious so I followed the link provided by jonesmatny to the DMV and here's what it says about Canadians (click on the NON CITIZENS link):

Canadian Citizens

Under federal law, Canadian citizens are non-immigrants and are allowed to stay in the U.S. without obtaining INS documentation. Canadians without INS documents must provide proof of Canadian citizenship to be issued a Florida driver license or identification card by presenting two of the following documents:

1. Canadian passport
2. Canadian driver license
3. Original or certified Canadian birth certificate
4. Canadian Naturalization Certificate

All Canadian citizens will be issued an original or renewal driver license for two calendar years from the date of issue.


If you are not a Canadian citizen and have a Canadian driver license, you are required to provide the same proof of legal presence as any other non-U.S. citizen.

Sounds as if Bavaria was incorrectly subjected to the requirements for non-immigrant citizens of other countries, who have to present their visa info and I-94. Like anywhere else, you can get a clerk who doesn't know as much as you do!

What a great deal! You can get the ID and be a Florida resident for Disney, but still keep your Canadian residence for health insurance. But you know the downside... if you've retained your health card, you're on the hook for filing Canadian taxes on your worldwide income. So if anybody whinges to you about how it's not fair you get to claim Florida residency, tell 'em about Canadian taxes!

 

[mrzrich]

From the FL DMV:

Canadian Citizens

Under federal law, Canadian citizens are non-immigrants and are allowed to stay in the U.S. without obtaining INS documentation. Canadians without INS documents must provide proof of Canadian citizenship to be issued a Florida driver license or identification card by presenting two of the following documents:

1. Canadian passport
2. Canadian driver license
3. Original or certified Canadian birth certificate
4.

Canadian Naturalization Certificate

All Canadian citizens will be issued an original or renewal driver license for two calendar years from the date of issue.


If you are not a Canadian citizen and have a Canadian driver license, you are required to provide the same proof of legal presence as any other non-U.S. citizen.

 

[bavaria]

Sounds as if Bavaria was incorrectly subjected to the requirements for non-immigrant citizens of other countries, who have to present their visa info and I-94. Like anywhere else, you can get a clerk who doesn't know as much as you do!

Actually, my question was about living and working, and filing the correct documents. I asked because I have encountered many people who seem to think that they can just move across the border easily without taking the required steps (both on this website and in person). There was a post recently on the Community Board about a family intending to just pack up and move to Canada. That is why I asked about living and working.

The tax implications, along with the medical coverage issue, need to be reviewed carefully before one makes such a move. There are also implications regarding banking and credit, for instance. Florida does have different requirements due to snowbird policies, but buying a house is not necessarily a golden ticket.

I appreciate that Sam's family has done their research for their part time residence, but as you see by the comments and questions from other posters moving around the world is not as simple as packing up your bags and leaving.