Moving to Washington State: what is different for newcomers

This page is about Washington State, in the Pacific Northwest, not Washington, D.C. Most first steps are the same in every state, and our first 30 days checklist covers them. Here is what works differently in Washington.

A license from DOL, within 30 days. The Department of Licensing (DOL) gives you 30 days after you move to get a Washington driver license, and you need it before you can register a vehicle (DOL). Washington’s REAL ID-compliant cards, the enhanced license and ID, are only for U.S. citizens (DOL). Documents, tests and each step: Washington driver license and ID.

No individual income tax, for now. “Washington does not currently have an individual income tax,” says the Department of Revenue; a new tax on annual adjusted gross income above $1 million starts on January 1, 2028 (DOR). Retail sales tax is the state’s main tax source, with a state rate plus a local rate that varies by city and county (DOR). How this fits together: state and local taxes.

A state office for refugees and immigrants. The Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (ORIA), part of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), works to help refugee and immigrant families “succeed and thrive in Washington state” through basic needs, employment and training, health, immigration and naturalization, and whole-family services (DSHS). Most benefits and services can be applied for online at Washington Connection, or you can visit a local DSHS Community Services Office (DSHS). See also refugee resettlement services.

State protections for renters. If you rent your home, the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act covers you (Attorney General). Under a 2025 rent stabilization law, your landlord can’t raise your rent during your first 12 months, must give at least 90 days’ written notice before an increase, and must stay under a yearly cap (Attorney General). More: tenant rights.

Earthquakes, volcanoes and wildfires. More than 1,000 earthquakes occur in Washington each year, and a dozen or more are felt; when shaking starts, drop, cover and hold on (Washington EMD). The state has five major volcanoes: Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams (Washington EMD). Wildfire and other evacuations are mostly decided locally, in three levels: Level 1 means be ready, Level 2 means be set to leave at a moment’s notice, and Level 3 means leave now (Washington EMD). Make your plan: emergency preparedness.

Guides for Washington

Sources

  1. Washington State Department of Licensing — Moving to Washington: Get a driver license (accessed October 28, 2026)
  2. Washington State Department of Licensing — REAL ID (accessed October 28, 2026)
  3. Washington State Department of Revenue — Income tax (accessed October 28, 2026)
  4. Washington State Department of Revenue — Retail sales tax (accessed October 28, 2026)
  5. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services — Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (Internet Archive copy of September 17, 2026; accessed October 28, 2026)
  6. Washington State Office of the Attorney General — Landlord-Tenant (Internet Archive copy of October 10, 2026; accessed October 28, 2026)
  7. Washington Emergency Management Division, Washington Military Department — Earthquake (accessed October 28, 2026)
  8. Washington Emergency Management Division, Washington Military Department — Volcano (accessed October 28, 2026)
  9. Washington Emergency Management Division, Washington Military Department — Wildfires in Washington state (accessed October 28, 2026)

Other states

Most rules for newcomers are the same in every state. See all guides for the U.S.