Address Change Checklist: Who to Notify When You Move

1. The Post Office:

Start here, as notifying the post office of your address change will ensure that any mail sent to your old address is forwarded to your new one for 12 months. You can easily update your address online and set it for a specific start date. Do this at least a week before moving day; if you do it later, there may be a gap between when you move and when your mail forwarding can begin.

2. Tax Agencies:

Both the federal revenue agency and your state tax agency should be notified of your address change. The IRS provides a simple online form where you can notify them of your new address. For your state tax agency, go to your specific state’s government website and look for address updates. In most states, you can also handle this easily online.

3. Social Security Administration:

If you receive any kind of Social Security benefit, don’t forget to inform the SSA where you’re moving. Complete your address change request online or call them at (800) 772-1213.

4. Gas and Electricity:

You’ll want to do this as soon as you know your new address and move-in date so you don’t risk going a day or more without heat or electricity. When transferring your electrical service, arrange for the shut-off at your current place to occur at the end of your moving day and for service at your new location to begin the morning of your move or the night before. This way, you won’t be moving in the dark.

5. Phone and Internet:

It’s a heavy heart that moves into a new home without internet service set up. As with the electric company, call your phone and internet providers to notify them of your address change as soon as possible. This includes your cell phone provider, as they’ll need to know where to send your bill.

6. Other Utilities:

Depending on the types of utilities you’re responsible for at your new home (and it’s very possible it will be all of them), you’ll also need to notify the water department, the sewage service, and the trash/recycling company.

7. Your Employer:

Even if your paychecks are directly deposited into your bank account, you’ll want to let your employer know about your address change to ensure that pay stubs, tax forms, and the like go to the right place.

8. Your Bank and Credit Card Company:

Call your bank and credit card company or see if you can make the change online. Don’t forget about loyalty programs or store-specific credit cards you may have.

9. Loan Providers:

If you’re moving, you need to inform your loan providers.

10. Insurance Providers:

Notify the agencies that provide you with health insurance, dental insurance, auto insurance, and life insurance. If you have health insurance through the federal marketplace, visit Healthcare.gov and follow the instructions to report a life change.

11. Other Financial Agencies:

If you receive services from other financial agencies, including a credit union, a credit reporting agency, PayPal, an IRA/401k manager, and/or an investment account holder, inform them of your new address so you don’t miss anything important.

12. Subscription Services:

If you’re subscribed to any magazines or other services or subscription boxes, change your address by emailing or calling their customer service department.

13. Online Shopping Sites:

Make a list of the online stores you shop from most frequently and take some time to log in and change your address on each one. With sites like Amazon and eBay, it’s easy to place orders without closely checking the shipping details, and if you don’t change your address right away, you might forget to make the change during your first purchase at your new place. Save yourself time and headaches by changing your address now.

14. Clubs and Organizations:

Notify all clubs, organizations, and charities you’re involved with about your new address so they know where to reach you with announcements and promotional materials. This includes your memberships at places like Costco or Sam’s Club.

15. Individual Service Providers:

Inform your doctor, dentist, veterinarian, etc., about your new address. If you’re staying in the area, they’ll need to know for mailing and billing purposes. If you’re moving farther away, they might be able to help with referrals.

16. Family and Friends:

Let your friends and family know about your new address. Send a mass email with your new information to your friends and family using BCC to everyone on it.