You can transfer your Section 8 voucher to another state, but the process is not automatic and the new state's program may have a waiting list

Section 8 vouchers are portable — you can use them in a different state than where you received them. However, your current housing authority does not simply hand off your voucher to the new state's program. You have to request a transfer, and the receiving state's housing authority must accept you. Some states and regions accept transfers immediately; others have waiting lists that can last months or years. The timing and ease of your move depend entirely on where you are moving from and where you are moving to.

The key difference between transferring and starting fresh: if you transfer, your voucher stays active during the process (usually). If you let it expire and reapply in the new state, you go to the back of that state's waiting list, which may be closed. For most people, requesting a transfer is the safer path.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact your current housing authority and ask for a Request for Lease Approval in Another State form, which starts the transfer process.
  • Your current housing authority will contact the housing authority in your new state to see if they will accept your transfer.
  • The receiving state's program may accept you immediately, place you on a waiting list, or deny the transfer if their program is closed to new participants.
  • You should not move or sign a new lease until your current housing authority confirms the receiving state has accepted your transfer.
  • If the receiving state denies your transfer, your voucher remains active in your current state, and you can stay or try a different state.

How the transfer request works

Start by calling or visiting your current housing authority's office and telling them you want to move to another state. Ask for the form to request a transfer — it is usually called a Request for Lease Approval in Another State or Portability Request. Some housing authorities have this form on their website; others will mail or email it to you.

Fill out the form with the address where you plan to move and the name of the housing authority in that state or county. Your current housing authority will then contact the receiving housing authority to ask if they will accept your transfer. This step can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on how busy both offices are.

Do not sign a lease or move before you hear back. If you move without approval and the receiving state denies your transfer, you will be using your voucher in a state that has not agreed to accept it, which can create problems with your landlord and your housing assistance.

What the receiving state can do

When the receiving housing authority gets your transfer request, they have three options: accept you immediately, place you on a waiting list, or deny the transfer.

Immediate acceptance happens when the receiving state has funding and space in their program. This is most common in states with smaller waiting lists or higher turnover. You will be told you can move and search for housing in that state.

A waiting list means the receiving state will accept your transfer, but not right away. You stay on your current voucher in your current state while you wait for an opening in the new state. The wait can be weeks or months. During this time, you can still use your voucher where you are now, or you can move and pay rent out of pocket until the new state accepts you. Once they do, your voucher becomes active there.

A denial happens when the receiving state's program is closed to new participants or transfers. This is rare but does occur. If denied, your voucher stays active in your current state. You can request a transfer to a different state, stay where you are, or wait and ask again later if the receiving state reopens.

Timing and what to expect

The entire process typically takes four to twelve weeks, though it can be faster or slower. Your current housing authority should give you a timeline when you submit your request. Some states are faster because they have smaller caseloads; others move slowly because staff are handling hundreds of transfers.

During the waiting period, keep paying your current rent on time and stay in touch with your current housing authority. If you move before approval and the receiving state denies your transfer, you could lose your voucher or face eviction if you cannot pay rent without it.

Once the receiving state accepts your transfer, you will get a new voucher number and a new housing authority to work with. You will have a set amount of time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find housing and sign a lease in the new state. The rules for inspections, rent limits, and lease requirements may be slightly different in the new state, so ask your new housing authority about their specific process.

States and regions with longer waiting lists

Some states and major cities have such long waiting lists that they do not accept transfers at all, or they accept them only after a delay. California, New York, Massachusetts, and the Washington DC area are examples of regions where waiting lists are years long. If you are trying to move to one of these places, the receiving housing authority may tell you they cannot accept your transfer for six months, a year, or longer.

In these cases, you have a choice: wait on your current voucher in your current state, move and pay full rent out of pocket, or request a transfer to a different state with a shorter wait. Some people move to a nearby state with a shorter waiting list, then request another transfer once they are settled.

What happens to your voucher if you do not transfer

If you move to a new state without requesting a transfer, your voucher will eventually expire. Most housing authorities will hold your voucher for 30 to 60 days after you move, but after that, it is considered abandoned and you lose it. You would then have to apply to the new state's program as a new participant, which means going on their waiting list from the beginning.

This is why requesting a transfer is almost always better than moving first and applying later. The transfer keeps your voucher active and gives you priority over people who are just now applying.

Moving with a lease already in place

If you have already found housing in the new state and have a signed lease, you can still request a transfer. Tell your current housing authority the address of the new rental and provide a copy of the lease. They will send the lease to the receiving housing authority for approval. The receiving authority will inspect the unit and verify the rent is within their limits. If everything checks out, they will accept your transfer and your voucher will become active at that address.

This process takes longer than a transfer without a lease because of the inspection step, but it can work. Just make sure you do not move in or pay rent before the receiving state approves the lease.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I move without telling my housing authority?

Your voucher will expire after 30 to 60 days of inactivity, and you will lose it. You would then have to apply to the new state's program as a new participant. If you are already living there without a voucher, you may owe back rent to your landlord. Always request a transfer before you move.

Can I request a transfer to multiple states at the same time?

You can ask your housing authority to submit transfer requests to more than one state, but most housing authorities will only process one at a time. Ask your current housing authority what their policy is. If one state denies you, you can then request a transfer to another state.

Do I have to pay a fee to transfer my voucher?

No. Section 8 transfers are free. If someone tells you that you have to pay money to transfer your voucher, that is a scam. Contact your housing authority directly.

What if the new state's rent limits are lower than what I am paying now?

The receiving state's housing authority will set a new rent limit based on their area's market. If your current rent is above their limit, you will need to find cheaper housing or pay the difference yourself. Ask the receiving housing authority what their rent limits are before you move.

Can my family member transfer my voucher if I cannot?

No. Only you can request a transfer of your voucher. Your family member can help you fill out the form or call the housing authority on your behalf, but the request has to come from you as the voucher holder.