Legal Definitions - domiciliate

Domiciliate (verb)

To domiciliate means to establish one's legal permanent home or principal place of business. It involves not just physically residing in a location, but also demonstrating a clear intention for that place to be one's primary and permanent residence or the official headquarters of an organization. This intention is often evidenced by various legal and administrative actions.

• Example 1: An Individual's Relocation

  After accepting a new job, Sarah moves from Boston, Massachusetts, to Denver, Colorado. She sells her house in Boston, buys a new home in Denver, obtains a Colorado driver's license, registers to vote in Colorado, and enrolls her children in local schools. By taking these steps, Sarah is actively domiciliating in Colorado, establishing it as her new legal permanent residence.

• Example 2: A Company's Official Headquarters

  A rapidly growing software company, initially incorporated in Delaware but operating remotely, decides to consolidate its operations and establish a physical headquarters. They lease a large office building in Seattle, Washington, register their business with the state of Washington as their principal place of business, and move their executive team there. The company is thereby domiciliating its primary operations and legal presence in Seattle.

• Example 3: International Residency for Tax Purposes

  An entrepreneur with global investments decides to move from their home country, which has high capital gains taxes, to a country with more favorable tax laws. They sell their property in their previous country, purchase a new residence in the tax-friendly nation, obtain a long-term residency visa, and transfer their financial accounts. Their actions demonstrate a clear intent to domiciliate in the new country, making it their permanent legal and tax residence.