The first week after moving is the most chaotic. Boxes are piled up, someone is calling, and a to-do list is right in front of you.

In the midst of this, there are administrative tasks that, if forgotten, can become more complicated later. For those moving to Texas, especially Arlington, I've organized the most important things to do in order.

The first is obtaining a driver's license. If you have a license from another state, you must convert it to a Texas license within 90 days of moving to Texas. You can make an appointment and visit the Texas DPS website, but you'll need to bring an ID, two documents proving Texas residency, and your Social Security number. The residency proof must consist of two documents from different sources. Utility bills, rental agreements, and bank statements are valid. If you are obtaining your first license between the ages of 18 and 24, a 6-hour Driver Education course is also required.

The second is vehicle registration. Timing is important here. If you bring a car into Texas, you must register it within 30 days. If you are late, a penalty will apply. You can handle this at the Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector's office, and you will need your out-of-state title, proof of insurance, and VIN verification. Note that Tarrant County, which includes Arlington, is a county that requires emissions testing. When registering a vehicle as a new resident, there is an additional New Resident Tax of $90. Also, Texas car insurance has a legal minimum coverage requirement. The minimum coverage is $30,000 for injury per person, $60,000 for total accidents, and $25,000 for property damage.

The third is school registration if you have a child. You can check the school district on the Arlington ISD website and find the assigned school based on your residential address. You will need vaccination records, a birth certificate, and previous school transcripts.

The fourth is finding a doctor. This can be the most stressful when you actually need urgent care. It's best to find a primary care physician in advance and connect them with your insurance. Major local healthcare institutions include UT Arlington, Texas Health, and Medical City Arlington. While there are also utility setups and address changes to handle, taking care of these four tasks first will allow you to manage the rest more leisurely.