Sweepstakes Eligibility During a Move: Which State of Residence Counts?

The state that counts is the state where you lived when you entered. A sweepstakes, a prize drawing where winners are picked by chance, judges each entry under the residency rules in effect on its entry date. That timing matters during a move because each entry stands alone.

An entry made before you moved stays tied to the old state, and an entry made after you moved follows the new state.

Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on October 02, 2026.

Why the entry date controls

Most sponsor rules measure eligibility at time of entry, so the address you had on that date decides that entry. According to the On3 sweepstakes rules, the state where you lived when you entered controls that entry even if you later move, as described in the On3 sweepstakes rules. This rule helps people who move mid-promotion.

You do not lose an earlier valid entry by moving, and you do not make an earlier invalid entry valid by moving. Read the dates on each entry period and keep the address you used for each one.

What if the new state is excluded

Some drawings exclude residents of certain states or territories. Entries remain subject to federal, state and local laws and are void where prohibited, taxed or restricted, so a move into an excluded place before entry can disqualify that entry, as stated in the Nordstrom event rules template. Check the eligibility list before you enter from a new address.

If the new state is listed as excluded, wait for drawings open to that state. If the old state was excluded, entries made there stay excluded even after you move to an open state.

How winners prove where they live

Winning brings a paperwork check tied to the entry address. Potential winners must return a signed statement of eligibility with proof of age, identity and residency, commonly within 7 to 30 days, and failure leads to forfeiture and selection of another winner, as explained in the Cvent long-form rules template. Keep documents that match both addresses during a move.

A lease, utility bill, driver license update, or mail forwarding record can link the entry address to your current address. Respond by the stated deadline and use the contact method the sponsor names.

How to keep a win reachable

Sponsors usually reach winners by mail, email, or phone, and movers face returned mail and missed messages. If prize notice comes back undeliverable or the winner does not respond in time, the prize is forfeited, so movers must keep entry contact details current with each sponsor, as noted in the Z93 contest rules. Use a short update routine after each address change:

• Update the mailing address, email, and phone number in each active entry account.
• Set mail forwarding and watch spam folders for win notices.
• Save entry confirmations with the date and address used.
• Enter again only under the new address once you live there, if that state is eligible.