South Dakota domicile - FYI on hotel receipt - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Workinrvers · RV-Dreams Family Member

South Dakota domicile - FYI on hotel receipt

RunsWithScissors · RV-Dreams Family Member

We learned something on our recent trip to South Dakota to set up domicile (through Alternative Resources). This has to do with the hotel (or RV park) receipt needed to apply for residency.

The receipt needs to show the names of everyone applying for domicile as well as their SD "home" address. Our original reservation was made under only one of our names using an address outside of SD. When DH asked the clerk at our hotel for a receipt with the necessary information, she understood exactly what we needed and was glad to help. The clerk noted that she was only able to provide the receipt we needed because we had booked the hotel directly, rather than using an online reseller (Orbitz, Priceline, etc.). Otherwise, we'd have had to go through the reseller, if that's even possible.

Thought this information might save someone out there a headache so am posting it.

blijil · RV-Dreams Family Member

We used Americas Mailbox in Box Elder, SD. Had to sign a form declaring we were "resident nomads" to get our drivers license and agree that we would not reside in any state for 6 months in any one year to maintain our resident status. Works for us.

Larry and Jacki

Workinrvers · RV-Dreams Family Member

thanks for the Info! We are heading there in a couple of weeks to get all that taken care of. We were planning on using Americas Mailbox and spend a night in their campground to satisfy the "overnight" requirement for the state.

How long did it take you to get everything done (plates and vehicle registrations)?

Thanks,

Phil

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

When we did this in Feb of 2012 we stayed overnight at America's Mailbox then headed over to the DMV for our drivers license; got there about 15 minutes after they opened and were done in 30 minutes. Drove over to the courthouse to do the car registration and had maybe 5 or 6 people in front of us in line; by the time we got the forms filled out it was our turn. We were back at America's Mailbox by 1030 or so and filled out the forms for voter registration there so they could notarize and file them for us and were on the road back east before noon.

In the early morning when we were having breakfast they told us at the office that the lines were long and maybe we wanted to let them do it for the small charge they have…we told them on our return that they must have never been in the DMV in Virginia; you're lucky if there are fewer than 50 people in front of you there.

We had allocated 2 nights in Box Elder for the changeover but ended up heading back east early and spending a half day in Badlands National Park instead and got home a day sooner than originally planned.

RVKevi · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well, we did this in Sioux Falls, SD, and we booked our hotel through Expedia, but the hotel still gave us a receipt that satisfied the requirements. We had no problem with it.

RunsWithScissors · RV-Dreams Family Member

Phil's point about DMV office closures is a good one. The Sioux Falls DMV branch office is closed on Mondays; the downtown office is open. Call first, or check the relevant web site before going.

nessa9566 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I live in Sioux Falls so I'm very glad I won't have to go through all this when we go full time in four years! Just a note, the DMV has moved it's office to Russell Ave. Not sure if the DMV is still in the courthouse as there was talk that the county was unsure if they were going to renew their lease. Can find out if anyone would like me to. Happy travels and welcome to South Dakota.