Moving is hectic at any time, but moving to a new community can really be frustrating and stressful when you don't know who to contact. To help eliminate many of those frustrations and to make your move as smooth as possible, I have provided a list of the places you will need to contact and their pertinent information.

Utilities

Once you have selected your new home, you will need to have your utilities connected. The following is a list of area utility companies and service branches. It is always helpful to acquire a letter of credit from the service companies you subscribe to in your present area, to present with your application.

Electricity
Alabama Power Company

Deposit is required (Can be added to monthly bill in 3 equal payments) Letter of credit will be considered for minimum deposit.

Customer Service: 1-800-343-2726 or 251-434-5649.

Main Office: Downtown Mobile, 150 St. Joseph Street, Phone: 251-649-2280.

West Mobile: 6396 Airport Blvd. Phone: 251-434-5665.

Theodore/Tillman's Corner: 5832 Highway 90 West, Theodore, Phone: 251-434-5448.

Bay La Batre/Dauphin Island/Irvington: 385 North Wintzell Street, Bayou La Batre, Phone: 251-694-2645.

Saraland/Satsuma: 1100 Industrial Parkway, (I-65), Saraland, Phone: 251-434-5552.

Prichard/Chickasaw: 129 East Clark Avenue, Prichard, Phone: 251-434-5571.

Citronelle/Mt. Vernon: 123 North 3rd Street, Citronelle, Phone: 251-866-5545.

Web site address: www.AlabamaPower.com

TDD Deaf Device: Phone: 251-433-9669.

For Power Outage: 800-888-2726.

Water
Mobile Area Water Service System

Deposit and Service fee required. Extra Fee for same day service. Must present I.D.

Main Office: 207 North Catherine Street, Phone: 251-649-3130. Nights, Weekends, Holidays and Emergencies: 251-694-3101.

Hearing Impaired: 251-649-3460. Web site address:  www. mawss.com

Gas
Mobile Gas Service Corporation

Deposit and Connection Fee required. Must present Social Security Card, Driver's license and if renting, copy of lease.

Main Offices: 2828 Dauphin Street, 200 St. Joseph Street, 231 South Wilson Avenue, 5943 Highway 90 West, Phone: 251-450-8052.

To Report Leaks: 251-476-2738

Web Site Address: www.mobile-gas.com

South Alabama Utilities
8100 Joy Street, Citronelle Phone: 866-2365
4800 McCrary Road, Phone: 251-649-4317 or 251-649-1503.

Telephone

BellSouth

New Residential Service, Phone: 888-757-6500 (Toll free).
Outside of Alabama: 1-800-753-3320.

Web Address: www.BellSouth.com

Deposit: Deposit waived with a letter of credit in good standing from any other Bell Company. Deposit fee required without prior credit. Service Fee required.

2155 Old Shell Road, 8:AM to 4:PM, Monday thru Friday.

Telecommunications Service for the Hearing and Speech Impaired (TDDTTY)
Phone: 251-557-6254 Voice: 251-557-6253.

Cable T.V. & Internet Providers

Direct T.V. ~ Phone: 888-777-2454 ~ Web Site: http://www.directv.com/
Dish Network ~ Phone: 888-284-7116 ~ Web Site: http://www.dishnetwork.com/
Media Com (Cable TV & Internet) ~ Phone: 800-239-8411
Mobile Internet Services ~ Phone: 251-433-3418
Skyway USA ~ Phone:866697-5992

Garbage Collection

Garbage pick-up within the city limits of Mobile is paid for by your city taxes. Garbage is collected twice each week and trash is collected once every other week.

Private service companies provide garbage collection for persons residing outside of the city limits.

For information about garbage collection call 251-208-2941. For trash pickup 251-208-2940.

Automobile Driver's License, Tags & Titles

Newcomers moving to the area from other states must obtain an Alabama Driver's License within 30 days of becoming a resident. If you are relocating within the state, you must report your new address to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 60 days. If you have a valid out-of-state license, you will be required to take a written exam and an eye test; if you don't have a license you must take a road test. You will be required to surrender your out-of-state license. There is a $5.00 written exam fee. A $20.00 license fee which is valid for four years (includes written exam).

The Driver's License Bureau is located at 3400 Demetropolis Road, at the corner of Highway 90 West and Demetropolis Road. Phone: 251-660-2330. And at 4555 St. Stephens Road in Prichard, Phone: 251-456-9234.
Driver's license and tag renewals may also be acquired at the Mobile County Commissioner of License Office, 3925 Michael Blvd. Suite F, Mobile, Al 36609. Phone: 251-574-8562; and at the Tillman's Corner Office, 6419 Cloverleaf Plaza, Phone: 251-690-8552.

A new vehicle registration tag must be purchased within 30 days for all out-of-state newcomers. For auto registration phone 251-690-8552. Your new tag cost will vary according to the make and model of your car. There is a $18.00 Alabama title fee on all 1975 and newer vehicles. Tags and registrations are acquired at the Mobile County Commissioner of License office; Tillman's Corner Office, Eight Mile Shopping Center, Corner of Lott Road and Highway 45 and in Citronelle at 109 South Main Street.

Voter Registration

You must have established residency in Alabama 30 days prior to registration. In order to vote in any state and county elections, you must have been registered in your district at least 10 days prior to election day.
Information concerning procedures and registration can be obtained from the Board of Registrars at the Mobile County Courthouse, or call 251-690-8586.

Taxes

Tax burden per person for personal income, property, general sales, auto registration, estate, and gift taxes showed Alabama to be among the lowest of all 50 states.

State/Local Income Tax
For detailed information about state tax contact the Alabama Department of Revenue, Individual and Corporate Tax Division 334-242-1000. The City of Mobile does not levy local income tax.

Property Taxes
For detailed information about rates and exemptions, contact the Mobile County Revenue Commissioner. 251-690-8545. I can give you a simple formula to estimate the amount of your taxes, for more exact figures and information on the exemptions and Municipalities call the Revenue Commissioner at the phone number above. Take the price of the house you are considering purchasing, multiply by 10%, after you have multiplied the sales amount by 10%, multiply that amount by .0625% and you will have an idea of the property tax. When you receive your deed on the property you have purchased for your home in Alabama it is very important to go to the Courthouse and apply for your homestead exemption and see what other exemptions (over 65 or disabled, etc.) you may qualify for.