Moving to TX - Non Resident Permit During Transition

[Mark Theriot]

New guy alert!

God has blessed my family, we get to return to TX after 30 years in the "North"! I currently have a Utah CCL that covers me in TX but once I formally become a TX resident, I'd prefer not to be unarmed while waiting for my TX CCL. As soon as I start working back in TX (at least 30-45 days before we move officially) I'd like to get a non-resident CCL.

My question is: if you have a non-resident CCL and you become a resident, is there a process to just transition you license - or do you have to start over with a resident application and wait time?

Thanks in advance!

Mark

[WildBill]

New guy alert!

God has blessed my family, we get to return to TX after 30 years in the "North"! I currently have a Utah CCL that covers me in TX but once I formally become a TX resident, I'd prefer not to be unarmed while waiting for my TX CCL. As soon as I start working back in TX (at least 30-45 days before we move officially) I'd like to get a non-resident CCL.

My question is: if you have a non-resident CCL and you become a resident, is there a process to just transition you license - or do you have to start over with a resident application and wait time?

Thanks in advance!

Mark

Mark - Welcome to Texas and the CHL Forum.

There is no transition process. You will have to start from scratch with the application. The wait time is much shorter than when I got my CHL. [That is one reason the got my Utah CCL after I got my Texas license.] I don't understand your concern. Once you move to Texas your Utah CCL will cover you until you get the Texas CHL. There is no longer a minimum time requirement for residency before getting a Texas CHL. Just don't wait until your Utah CCL gets too close to expiring.

[Mark Theriot]

Thanks for the reply. I'm moving from the socialist state of Illinois so I guess I'm used to heavy restrictions.

So this would be legal in TX - ??
- A Texas resident
- Does not yet have a TX CHL
- Can carry in TX with a Utah non-resident license?

If this is correct, they you're right - I don't have an issue!


Thanks again!
Mark

[Keith B]

Welcome to the forum.

Utah has some unusual rules. If you are a non-resident and want to obtain a non-resident Utah license, and your state recognizes Utah non-resident licenses, then you must have a license from the state where you are a resident. For example, a Texas resident must have a Texas CHL before you can obtain a Utah non-resident license.

Now, since you already have a Utah non-resident license, I am not sure if when you change your address on the Utah license if they will require you to prove you have a Texas CHL before they will change the address or if the license becomes invalid since you won't have a Texas CHL yet. As for Texas, they will accept a valid Utah non-resident CHL, but only the Utah Criminal Bureau of Investigation who issues the license would be able to tell you if the Utah license stays valid.

[mikeloc]

When Utah changed the law for requiring you to have concealed firearm permit from your home state if they required a license to carry they left all Utah license valid until the license expired. You can call or email Utah, but I think they will tell you that your permit will be honored until you renew it if you move to Texas. As long as your Utah permit is valid Texas will honor it. Be on the safe side contact Utah to be sure. If you find out differently from Utah post the information here and let us know.

Welcome to Texas.


Mike Lochabay

[Jumping Frog]

I can confirm that a Utah license remains valid until expired. Utah would only require that you have a Texas license as a Texas resident when it is time to renew your Utah license. It does not become invalid when you move here.

As far as your original question, that is exactly how I moved to Texas. I had a Utah non-resident license and carried on that. Meanwhile, I took my training from Mr. Cotton and applied for a Texas non-resident license using my out of state address since my family did not move here until the end of the school year.

When we bought a house and moved here (yeah!), I simply filed a change of address on the Texas license and it automatically updated to become a Texas resident license instead of a non-resident license. Note that it costs $25 to change the address.

[Mark Theriot]

Ok,
Thanks Keith, that's what I thought.

So back to my original question, if I apply for a TX non-resident permit now - and then physically relocate to TX is a couple of months, will a simple address change move me to a resident permit - or will I have to start a new resident permit application from scratch?

Thanks guys!

Mark

Welcome to the forum.

Utah has some unusual rules. If you are a non-resident and want to obtain a non-resident Utah license, and your state recognizes Utah non-resident licenses, then you must have a license from the state where you are a resident. For example, a Texas resident must have a Texas CHL before you can obtain a Utah non-resident license.

Now, since you already have a Utah non-resident license, I am not sure if when you change your address on the Utah license if they will require you to prove you have a Texas CHL before they will change the address or if the license becomes invalid since you won't have a Texas CHL yet. As for Texas, they will accept a valid Utah non-resident CHL, but only the Utah Criminal Bureau of Investigation who issues the license would be able to tell you if the Utah license stays valid.

[Mark Theriot]

Outstanding! Thanks for the info. I'll be working in TX in about 2 weeks will be relocating south is about 6 weeks!

Mark

I can confirm that a Utah license remains valid until expired. Utah would only require that you have a Texas license as a Texas resident when it is time to renew your Utah license. It does not become invalid when you move here.

As far as your original question, that is exactly how I moved to Texas. I had a Utah non-resident license and carried on that. Meanwhile, I took my training from Mr. Cotton and applied for a Texas non-resident license using my out of state address since my family did not move here until the end of the school year.

When we bought a house and moved here (yeah!), I simply filed a change of address on the Texas license and it automatically updated to become a Texas resident license instead of a non-resident license. Note that it costs $25 to change the address.

[Richbirdhunter]

Thanks for the reply. I'm moving from the socialist state of Illinois so I guess I'm used to heavy restrictions.

So this would be legal in TX - ??
- A Texas resident
- Does not yet have a TX CHL
- Can carry in TX with a Utah non-resident license?

If this is correct, they you're right - I don't have an issue!


Thanks again!
Mark

That's what I've been doing for almost 2 years, I'm now 3 weeks into my Texas chl wait time.

[RoyGBiv]

So back to my original question, if I apply for a TX non-resident permit now - and then physically relocate to TX is a couple of months, will a simple address change move me to a resident permit - or will I have to start a new resident permit application from scratch?

Thanks guys!

Mark

You would need to come to TX and take the TX class.... You can't get a TX CHL without the TX class and a completion form. You'd also need to make an appointment to have fingerprints taken electronically. Once you apply online for your license you can go from that web page to the registration page for fingerprinting. My wife had to wait 4-5 days for an appointment, but it was 10 minutes in and out once she got there. So, if you plan to be in TX house hunting or working for a week, fill out your application online, make an appointment for fingerprints and plan to take a one day class on the weekend before/after your fingerprint appointment.

FYI... my wife got her CHL a few months ago and it took only 21 days from the time she did fingerprints (class was completed and all other paperwork was done online prior) to having her license in hand.

And yes.... Once you arrive here permanently, just send in an address change.

Welcome to TX.

[RoyGBiv]

I can confirm that a Utah license remains valid until expired. Utah would only require that you have a Texas license as a Texas resident when it is time to renew your Utah license. It does not become invalid when you move here.

As far as your original question, that is exactly how I moved to Texas. I had a Utah non-resident license and carried on that. Meanwhile, I took my training from Mr. Cotton and applied for a Texas non-resident license using my out of state address since my family did not move here until the end of the school year.

When we bought a house and moved here (yeah!), I simply filed a change of address on the Texas license and it automatically updated to become a Texas resident license instead of a non-resident license. Note that it costs $25 to change the address.

So.... I'm going to throw up a flag here.... Based on a friends experience moving here from WA. This may or may not apply to Utah.

His WA license remained valid until expiration after he moved (confirmed with WA issuing authority), but when he called TX DPS they told him that since he had a WA resident license and a TX DL, that he could be arrested for carrying.... TX didn't recognize that combination of things.

I think it is NOT safe to assume that just because your UT non-resident license is still valid, that TX will honor it. I suggest you contact TX DPS and ask that question specifically. I would do that by email so that the reply can be used as documentation. I'm not saying it's not valid, only that it's not always a good idea to assume, it's better to ask.

Just my $0.02

[Jumping Frog]

Whether a license remains valid or not depends upon the written language of the reciprocity agreement, when applicable, and the written laws & regulations of the state's involved.

There is no language in the Texas statutes or regulations that state a valid non-resident license is honored UNLESS the person has a Texas driver license or becomes a Texas resident.

The only scenario under which someone could be at risk would be if their home state license is automatically revoked when they become a non-resident of that state. The reciprocity would not apply because they did not have a valid license any longer.

However, that certainly would not apply to a license like a UT license that was already non-resident to begin with. I also reviewed the WA laws regarding revocation and moving out of state is not a reason to revoke -- in fact, WA issues non-resident permits.

I believe he received inaccurate information. We certainly have seen occasional instances where a specific LEO makes a statement about how he/she thought the law ought to work instead of what the law actually says.

[RoyGBiv]

The only scenario under which someone could be at risk would be if their home state license is automatically revoked when they become a non-resident of that state. The reciprocity would not apply because they did not have a valid license any longer.

However, that certainly would not apply to a license like a UT license that was already non-resident to begin with. I also reviewed the WA laws regarding revocation and moving out of state is not a reason to revoke -- in fact, WA issues non-resident permits.

I believe he received inaccurate information. We certainly have seen occasional instances where a specific LEO makes a statement about how he/she thought the law ought to work instead of what the law actually says.

It's possible my friend received bad info from DPS..... certainly.
I held the same opinion as you, until he went through that discussion with DPS.

So... Caveat emptor, I guess.