Moving? Here’s Your Changing Address Checklist

Last updated on April 7th, 2023 at 02:51 am

Of the many things you need to do before moving, one of the most important is letting everyone know your new address. Trust me, if you don’t do this on time, it can cause a lot of headaches. So, to help make your move a little bit easier, we’ve put together a “changing address checklist.”

Changing Address Checklist: 10 People, Places, and Organizations to Update

The post office

You should double-check that the post office has all of your information before leaving your current address. You don’t want to run the risk of having important mail sent to your old address, possibly leading to all kinds of issues you can’t easily resolve.

To redirect your mail to your new home, you need to contact the United States Postal Service and set up mail forwarding. You can usually take care of this with just a simple online form.

Then, over the next year, your mail will be forwarded from your old address to your new one. There is no charge for this service. However, if you’d like your mail forwarded for a longer period of time, you can request this for a fee.

If you rent a post office box, you will need to end the rental at your current location (assuming you’re moving to a new city). You can then contact your new post office for information about how to rent a box there. A friend of mine moved to Maine recently, and found the small town Caribou post office employees very helpful, so you may want to stop into your new post office for more personalized help.

Government agencies

Next on our changing address checklist–inform any relevant federal or state government agencies about your move, including the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Motor Vehicles, and your state’s tax department. You’ll also need to update your voter registration. If you receive any type of government payments, such as social security, you will need to update your address with them as well.

To avoid missing any important paperwork or payments, be proactive in contacting these agencies to change your address as soon as possible.

Your bank, credit card companies, and loan issuers 

When it comes to moving, one of the most important things to remember is to update your address with all your financial institutions.

Even though most of your business is likely done online, you’ll need to contact your banks, investment brokerages, and loan issuers. These organizations report to credit agencies, so it’s crucial to keep all your financial relationships aligned to your primary address to avoid confusion.

It’s also essential to notify any credit card companies and retail credit accounts you have. You don’t want important documents from these issuers falling into the wrong hands, which can lead to missed payments or potential fraud. By keeping them updated with your new address, you can avoid any issues down the road.

Finally, don’t forget about your financial advisors, accountants, and tax advisors. They need your current address so they can provide you with the best possible advice and assistance. By taking care of these important steps, you can help ensure a smooth transition to your new home.

Utilities

Up next on our changing address checklist–contact your gas, electricity, garbage collection, and water providers to cancel your current services or transfer them to your new address. You will probably be able to make the switch online through your provider’s website.

Nowadays, we all rely on the internet for just about everything, so it’s crucial to set up internet service at your new home in advance too. This way, you won’t be without a connection when you move in.  

If you want to have cable television at your new place, be sure to arrange for this ahead of time. And don’t forget to cancel or transfer your service at your old address.

Finally, let your cell phone provider know that you’ve moved so that they can update your account and billing information.

Insurance providers

When you move to a new home, it’s important to update your insurance information. This includes your health, dental, and life insurance. You want to make sure that you’re covered in your new location, especially if you’re moving to a different state. Each state has its own regulations when it comes to insurance, so you may need to modify your coverage accordingly.

In addition to health insurance, you also need to update your car insurance. Not every insurance company offers policies in all states, so you want to make sure that your coverage is still valid. You may also need to modify certain aspects of your coverage to comply with state regulations. This is something you can check when you update your address.

Finally, don’t forget about your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Whether you own your new home or rent it, you want to make sure that you have adequate coverage. When you change your address, make sure to check the terms of your insurance policy to ensure that you’re fully protected.  

Stores and online services

Changing your address on all of your regular online shopping sites is one of those things that’s easy to neglect when you’re in a rush. It’s possible that after some time has passed since you’ve moved, you’ll want to purchase something but forget to update your address, resulting in your item not being delivered.

Healthcare

Next, don’t forget about your healthcare providers as you make your way through your changing address checklist. It’s important to provide them with an up-to-date billing address. This will ensure that your insurance information matches up correctly and that you receive all of the services you need.

And let’s not forget about our furry friends! If you have pets, make sure to update your veterinarian with your new address as well. We all want to make sure our pets stay healthy, so don’t forget to take care of this important task.  

Subscriptions and memberships

If you can’t bear to be without your favorite magazines, make sure to update the publishers with your new address.

You might also have subscriptions to professional organizations or may have other types of memberships. You can usually update your information quickly and easily online.

Friends and family

Remember to keep you friends and family updated too. Change-of-address cards are traditionally sent out, and you can still do that, or you can just send a group email with your new information and BCC everyone, notify them by text, or announce your impending move online.

Your employer

When you’re moving to a new home, it’s important to provide your employer with your new address. They will need to be able to send you pay stubs, tax documents, and other important documents.

Moving can be exciting, but there are a lot of small details to consider too. Let’s face it, during the actual move, you’re likely to be focused on a million other things, so it’s best to plan ahead. This changing address checklist will give you a headstart when it comes to keeping track of everyone you need to inform about your move.

Whether it’s your employer, healthcare providers, utilities, or friends and family, make sure to let them know your new address in advance. That way, you can avoid any last-minute scrambling. It’s always better to get this taken care of ahead of time so you can enjoy your new home with as little stress as possible.

Also read:
4 Tips for Moving Day to Help Everything Run Smoothly
How to Create a Cozy Home on a Budget: 6 Tips
Is Your Family Moving Abroad? 6 Important Tips for a Smoother Transition

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