Important Information about Address Changes, Updates to
Drivers’ Licenses, Vehicle Registrations and Passports, and
Voter Registrations
Dear New Neighbor,
In response to inquiries about address changes, updates to drivers’ licenses, vehicle registrations and passports and voter registrations, we hope you find the following information helpful.
Address Changes
There are more than 12,700 addresses in the
annexation area of Finn Hill, North Juanita and Kingsgate. About 2,700 of them were addressed as Bothell, WA 98011 and were changed on July 1, 2011 by the Postal Service to Kirkland, WA 98034.
For those former Bothell addressees, you should have received a notice around June 1 from the U.S. Postal Service about the change to your City and Zip Code. The USPS requests that you do not submit a Change of Address with the Post Office. However you will need to submit address changes to companies that send you invoices, statements, legal documents, etc. Although most of your mail will be forwarded by the Postal Service (up to one year), you should let your friends, family and other personal contacts know about the change to City and Zip Code. Any costs associated with making address changes is an individual responsibility.
If your mortgage company or bank is requiring proof of your address change, please contact Mr. OnFat Choi, USPS Address Management Division, Acting Manager at 206-442-6295 or
onfat.choi@usps.gov.
Your mail is now being processed by the Kirkland Post Office, 721 4th Avenue, Kirkland, WA 98033. For mail service questions, visit
www.usps.com or contact Kathy Dela Cruz, Kirkland Postmaster at 425-739-6727 or
kathy.t.delacruz@usps.gov.
Driver’s License
Many questions have been received about whether residents with former Bothell addressees have to update their driver’s license. The answer is yes.
State law requires that you update your address with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) within 10 days of the change of address (which would have been July 10, 2011).
You have two ways to update your address on your driver’s license with DOL:
1. Download the Change of Address Form online and mail it in
- Get the form online and mail it to any DOL licensing office.
- There is no fee to obtain or submit the form.
- You will not receive a new license.
- Using permanent ink, you can write your correct address on the back of your license.
- When you renew or need to replace your license, it will be issued with the correct address.
2. If you want a new license, visit a licensing office in person
Washington State Department of Licensing
WEB: www.dol.wa.gov
PHONE: 360-902-3900
EMAIL: drivers@dol.wa.gov
Vehicle Registration
For those affected by the address change, you’ll also need to update your Vehicle Registration. Changing your address on one vehicle doesn’t automatically change it on your other vehicles, driver license, or boat.
You have two ways to update your vehicle registration:
1. Submit your change online
2. Visit a licensing office in person
- Click here to find a license office
Washington State Department of Licensing
WEB: www.dol.wa.gov
PHONE: 360-902-3770
EMAIL: titles@dol.wa.gov
Passport
Passports are issued by the U.S. Department of State. Passports do not contain addresses and therefore do not need to be updated for that purpose. Should you have a passport, you can make the address change at the time of renewal.
If you need to get a passport, the City of Kirkland is an authorized Passport Acceptance Facility. Passport acceptance hours at Kirkland City Hall are Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Voter Registration
The King County Elections Office says former Bothell addressees will automatically receive an updated voter registration card in the mail by the end of July 2011.
If you’re not currently registered, you can register to vote online by visiting the Secretary of State's web site. You can obtain the voter registration form online from King County Elections (various languages available), from the Elections Office (Seattle), and public libraries and schools.
To be eligible to vote, you must be registered to vote at least 29 days in advance of an election. If registering by mail, your application must be postmarked by the 29-day cutoff or it will not become effective until after the election. Visit the King County Elections website for registration deadlines.
As a voter, the residential address you provide determines the issues and candidates that you can vote on. However, you can receive your elections mail at any valid mailing location you choose: a post office box, personal mailbox, college mailbox, or a military or out of state/country address. All elections-related materials, including your ballot, will be sent to the mailing address you provide.
King County Elections Office
WEB: www.kingcounty.gov/elections
PHONE: 206-296-8683
EMAIL: elections@kingcounty.gov
City of Kirkland staff is available to assist you with other questions you may have. For a list of City Departments, click here or email annexation@kirklandwa.gov and your question will be forwarded to the appropriate staff member. [07.15.11]