The truck is empty, the beds are put together, and you have finally found the box with the coffee maker. Congratulations, you live in Virginia Beach. Now comes the part nobody warns you about: the paperwork, deadlines, and small local details that turn a new address into a settled home.

This checklist walks through what to handle in your first month, roughly in the order it matters.

Week One: The Essentials

Confirm Your Utilities Are in Your Name

If you set up service before the move, check your first bills to make sure everything transferred correctly. If not, start here:

• Electricity: Dominion Energy serves Virginia Beach.
• Water and sewer: Virginia Beach Public Utilities handles water accounts for most of the city.
• Natural gas: If your home has gas appliances, service is typically through Virginia Natural Gas.
• Internet: Compare the providers available at your exact address, since coverage varies by neighborhood.

Learn Your Trash and Recycling Day

The City of Virginia Beach Public Works department collects trash and recycling curbside. Look up your collection day through the city’s VB311 service, and make sure your home has the correct carts. Moving boxes pile up fast, so break them down and check the city’s recycling guidelines before putting them out.

Get Rid of Oversized Moving Leftovers

Old mattresses, broken furniture, or an appliance you replaced during the move can go out through the city’s bulky item pickup. Requests are made through VB311 and should be submitted at least three days before your regular trash day. Items go to the curb between 5 p.m. the night before and 7 a.m. on collection day, with clear space around them. Building materials, paint, tires, and hazardous waste are not accepted, so check the city’s list before you drag anything out.

Weeks Two and Three: Deadlines That Count

Title and Register Your Vehicle Within 30 Days

According to the Virginia DMV, new residents must title and register their vehicles within 30 days of moving to Virginia. This is the deadline most people miss. Bring your out-of-state title or lienholder information, proof of Virginia address, and insurance details. Book an appointment at a Virginia Beach DMV customer service center, or check what can be done online first.

Get Your Virginia Driver’s License Within 60 Days

You have 60 days to get a Virginia driver’s license after moving. Commercial driver’s license holders have a shorter window of 30 days. Many people handle the license and vehicle registration in the same DMV visit to save a trip.

Active-duty military members and their families often have different rules for licensing and registration. If you are stationed at NAS Oceana, JEB Little Creek-Fort Story, or another Hampton Roads installation, check the DMV’s military guidance and your base resources before you pay for anything.

Report Your Vehicle to the Commissioner of the Revenue

Virginia localities charge personal property tax on vehicles, and the tax is owed where the vehicle is normally garaged or parked. Contact the Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue’s Personal Property division to make sure your car is assessed at your new address, and notify your old locality that you moved.

Update Your Voter Registration

Register to vote at your new address through the Virginia Department of Elections. Your polling place is based on your precinct, which can change even if you only moved across town.

Week Four: Settling In

Enroll Kids in School

If you have school-age children, contact Virginia Beach City Public Schools to confirm your zoned schools and gather enrollment documents, such as proof of residence, immunization records, and prior school records.

Find Your Local Healthcare Providers

Transfer prescriptions to a nearby pharmacy and look for a primary care provider, dentist, and veterinarian before you need one. Sentara, Bon Secours, and Chesapeake Regional all operate facilities across Hampton Roads, so check which networks your insurance covers.

Know Your Flood Risk

Parts of Virginia Beach are low-lying and can see tidal and storm flooding. Look up your address on the FEMA flood map, review your homeowners or renters policy, and ask your insurance agent whether separate flood coverage makes sense. Standard policies usually do not cover flood damage.

Walk the Neighborhood

Meet the neighbors, find the closest grocery store, and learn which routes back up during rush hour and on summer weekends near the Oceanfront. The fastest way to feel at home is to stop feeling lost.

Keep Your Moving Paperwork Handy

Hold on to your moving contract, inventory, and receipts for at least a few months. If you notice damage while unpacking, you will need those documents to file a claim. Some moving expenses may also matter for taxes, especially for military moves, so ask a tax professional before you toss anything.

One Last Tip

A good move makes the first 30 days easier. If your belongings arrive organized, labeled, and intact, you can spend your energy on the checklist above instead of hunting for missing boxes. Working with an experienced local company like Tidal Town Moving, which handles moves across Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads, is one way to start that first month on the right foot.

Welcome to the coast. The paperwork is temporary. The beach is not going anywhere.