New Residents: What to Do After Moving to Virginia Beach

A guide for your first 90 days as a new Virginia Beach resident.

With military installations, headquarters of international firms, tourism and advanced manufacturing, Virginia Beach welcomes many who come here for jobs as well as those attracted by the city’s highly ranked quality of life, beaches, amenities and more.

But no matter why or when you moved to Virginia Beach, you have lots of tasks to check off when getting settled in. So, we’ve rounded up some of the most important ones to complete in your first months here to help you feel right at home even sooner.

Start utility services

Water and sanitary sewer services are provided by the Virginia Beach Department of Public Utilities. Start service online, by calling 757-385-4631 or by visiting the Customer Service Center, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 2403 Courthouse Drive.

Curbside trash and recycling collection are provided by the Virginia Beach Department of Public Works - Waste Management. Start service by calling 757-385-4650 or emailing  wastemgt@vbgov.com. Bulky item requests can be submitted online. Locate your pickup schedule online or use the VB Connect app.

In Virginia Beach, electrical service is provided by Dominion Energy, and natural gas service is provided by Virginia Natural Gas. Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) provides wastewater treatment.

Get Virginia driver’s license or update address

Within 60 days of moving to Virginia, you must obtain a Virginia driver's license. If you currently hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), you must obtain a Virginia CDL within 30 days.

If you currently have a non-Virginia address and want to change to a Virginia address, you must make an appointment to visit a Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)  customer service center and bring proof of your Virginia residence. Guidelines differ for those who hold driver’s licenses from outside the U.S. and for active-duty military personnel and out-of-state students.

If you already have a Virginia address, and want to update your residential, mailing or vehicle registration address with DMV, you can do so online.

Register vehicles

You can register your vehicle, as well get other vehicle-related services at the DMV Select located in City Hall, 2401 Courthouse Drive (Building 1). It offers services 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, on a walk-in basis. Here, you also may update your voter registration, purchase an E-ZPass (for automatic toll payment), boat registration and hunting and fishing licenses.

Please note: The DMV Select location in City Hall does not process driver’s licenses. Find other DMV customer service locations.

Register children in school

You can register your children with office staff in any of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools. You may begin the process online, then make an appointment to complete the registration. For registration questions, please contact your school's registrar or the office of student leadership at 757-263-2020.

Not sure what school(s) your child will attend? Use the School Locator to help you find the assigned elementary, middle or high school.

For information on homeschooling and other alternatives, visit the Virginia Department of Education.

Update voter registration

If you are already registered to vote in Virginia, and you want to make a change to your address, name or other information, you may do so by using the online registration portal, completing an address change notification provided by the DMV, using the Voter Registration Application or sending a letter to the Virginia Beach General Registrar Christine Lewis, P.O. Box 61127, Virginia Beach, VA 23466-1127.

 If you are registering to vote in Virginia for the first time, you must meet eligibility requirements and complete an application. For questions, contact the Virginia Department of Elections.

For Virginia Beach elections, know your Local Election District. Find your state and federal representatives.

Sign up for emergency notifications and Smart 911

Residents can stay informed during local emergencies, including major weather events, by signing up for VBAlert. Text “VBAlert” to 67283 or register at VirginiaBeach.gov/VBAlert to receive important messages and emergency alert notifications from the City of Virginia Beach. You can select what type of alerts you want to receive and how to receive them. 

Create a safety profile with Smart911.com, which the Virginia Beach Emergency Communications & Citizen Services department can access when you call 911 during an emergency. You can include details about medical conditions, medications, vehicles, pets and even emergency contacts.

Prepare for possible severe weather and other emergencies

While generally mild and warm, Virginia Beach’s weather can sometimes catch us off guard. The City’s Department of Emergency Management has identified flooding, tropical/coastal storms and sea level rise as the highest risks. The area is subject to the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30 each year, with the most active weather in August and September. Find information and tips to help you, your family, business and pets stay prepared at VirginiaBeach.gov/ReadyVB.

Register your pets

All dogs and cats over 4 months of age must be licensed with the City of Virginia Beach. Residents can license their animals online, in person at any of the four Treasurer’s Office locations, or by mail by submitting a completed license application form. When you register your pet, you’ll get a unique license tag that links to their online profile. You can choose a standard tag at no cost or upgrade to a designer tag style for an additional fee.

Get your Virginia Beach Public Library card

Library cards are free to residents of Virginia and Currituck County, North Carolina. For a small fee, they are available to nonresidents as well. Apply for your card online or at any of the 10 Library locations to borrow books and other things, as well as access programs, events, classes, technology and much more.

Join Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation lets you discover Virginia Beach and stay active through outdoor fun, seven cutting-edge recreational centers, programs and activities for everyone. You can join or renew your annual membership online or at any of the recreation centers. Payment plans and reduced fee programs are available.

Find help through the Department of Human Services

The Virginia Beach Department of Human Services provides an array of coordinated services to help meet the needs of our community. Combining the Community Services Board, Social Services and other supportive divisions ensures clients receive the full spectrum of services that they may need.

Virginia Beach residents can get help with mental health concerns, substance use or intellectual disorders through Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Social Services available include financial assistance, child protective services and adult protective services. Emergency services are accessible 24/7 by calling 757-385-0888.

Apply for your free resident parking voucher for the Resort Area

The Resident Parking Voucher Plan for the Resort Area provides Virginia Beach residents with a $50 annual parking voucher to use at participating Oceanfront garages, surface lots and designated on-street metered spaces. To apply, you will need a valid driver’s license, one additional document showing your name and address within city limits, and your email address and phone number. Apply online.

Stay informed

Stay up to date on important news and information from the City of Virginia Beach that is of most interest to you by signing up for the weekly Be in the Know email newsletter and reading our blog posts on VirginiaBeach.gov/Blog.

VB Connect is the official mobile app for the Virginia Beach City government that connects you with key information and services. Find other City mobile apps for parking, Library materials, parks, events and more.

Keep your move running smoothly by signing up for our New Resident Welcome Email Series, a helpful collection of tips and tools to get you settled with confidence. Sign up at VirginiaBeach.gov/NewResidentEmail.

Welcome to Virginia Beach — we’re glad you’re here!