New residents must be Nevada-compliant

There are a few things that should be on any newcomer's checklist when they move to the Las Vegas Valley.

Two at the top of the list should be obtaining a new driver's license and vehicle registration. New Nevada residents must obtain a new license and registration within 30 days, according to state law. An initial fine of up to $1,000 could be issued but reduced after compliance. About 52,000 people in 2009 and 58,000 in 2010 were cited for not registering their cars.

The license fee is usually $22, and registration varies depending on the age and value of the car. All out-of-state vehicles must get an inspection at a Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles station and surrender their license plates.

Department of Motor Vehicles spokesman Kevin Malone said new residents can visit dmvnv.com to get a registration estimate. He also said veterans with wartime service may qualify for a "substantial" tax exemption that can be applied to car registration or property taxes. To apply for that exemption, Malone said veterans need to visit the Clark County assessor's office at 500 S. Grand Central Parkway. For more information, call 702-455-3882.

Assistant county recorder Eugene Mendiola recommends that new homeowners in the valley apply for a homestead to protect the equity built up in a home.

"If someone, for whatever reason, tried to sue them for the value of their house, basically the homestead protects them from losing that equity," Mendiola said.

Recording a homestead is an elective process, and some other states have similar laws, he said. In 2011, more than 14,200 homesteads were recorded in Clark County. To apply for a homestead, homeowners have to fill out a one-page form and have it notarized - which can be done free in the assessor's office - and pay a $17 recording fee. The form can be downloaded at clarkcountynv.gov.

Mendiola said part of the reason for the relatively low number of homesteads is because most people do not anticipate creditors coming for their home or because they do not intend to stay in the area for long.

"Usually, the people who will record the homestead are planning to stay in their home until they die," he said.

Clark County spokesman Erik Pappa had a few recommendations for new residents, too. The first was to register to vote.

To register, one must have resided in Clark County for at least 30 days and have no other legal residence outside of the county.

March 2 is the registration deadline for the April 2 municipal primary elections, and May 4 is the deadline to register for the June 4 general elections.

To register, visit the county's website or visit your city clerk's office in Las Vegas, Henderson or North Las Vegas.

The Metropolitan Police Department did not have any safety tips specific to new residents.

"We give the same across-the-board advice to newcomers as to people who have been here 50 years," department spokesman Bill Cassell said. "I would suggest to people new in the area to go to your local substation and talk to the police."

The Metropolitan Police Department is headquartered at 400 S. Martin Luther King Blvd. and has eight substations throughout the valley. A list of substations can be found at lvmpd.com.

Cassell also recommended newcomers attend the department's 1st Tuesday programs.

On the first Tuesday of each month, the substations are open to the public from 7 to 8 p.m., highlight a different area of the station and offer a chance for residents to voice their concerns to officers.

For general information about the police department, call 702-828-3111.

Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 702-224-5524.