Change of Address Checklist

When you're preoccupied with important relocation-related tasks, it's easy to forget about informing relevant people and institutions of your upcoming residential move and subsequent change of address.

But notifying specific organizations and individuals of your relocation is essential for ensuring a smooth moving process and preventing various hassles and troubles with your mail and accounts.

Here's a checklist of the people and institutions you need to contact when moving

Family, friends and neighbors

If you’ve developed close friendships in your neighborhood, your local pals may want to organize a send-off party for you. Or maybe you want help with moving. In either case, letting them know well in advance is helpful. For relatives you only hear from over the holidays, send a change of address card once you have a new, permanent address.

Employer

Even if you’re just moving across town and your job isn’t changing with the move, your employer needs to keep your records up to date for tax documents and insurance paperwork.

Postal service

Changing your address with the United States Postal Service should be among your top priorities when moving to a new house, as it will help you avoid many troubles and inconveniences.

To have your mail forwarded to your new place before you've updated your address with individual organizations and companies, you only need to fill out a change of address request at your local post office or at the USPS official website.

Utilities

Arrange to have the old ones disconnected and the new ones connected on moving day. You don’t want a disruption in service. Be sure to schedule the switch for your electricity, gas, water, telephone, cable, internet, garbage and other municipal services you may need.

DMV

If you move out of state, you’ll have to transfer your driver’s license and update your vehicle’s registration and insurance within a short time (10 to 30 days, depending on your new state). But even if it’s just a move across town, they will need your correct address. Usually you can handle this online. Most states will charge you to reissue a driver’s license with your new address, but that’s optional.

Government agencies

A number of government agencies should be notified when you’re moving. This includes the IRS and the Social Security Administration. You will also need to update or change your voter registration. You can find forms online.

Financial institutions

Bank accounts, credit card companies and brokerages all need your new address.

Insurance companies

The insurance agencies that provide your life, health and homeowners insurance policies should have your current address on file, as should any other organizations and individuals (such as your family attorney) you do business with.

Schools

No matter where you are moving, if you or your children are in school, you need to notify the school with your new address. You may need to register your children in a new school, depending upon how far you’ve moved and school service boundaries. If this is the case, notify both the current and the new school as far in advance as possible, and check in with the new school in person at least two days before your child will start.

Subscription services and clubs

Last but not least, you need to update your address with any sports, professional, or social clubs you are involved with. You should also notify the subscriber services department of any magazines or newspapers you want to receive at your new home.

You may have to personally visit some companies or institutions to notify them of your relocation, but in most cases you will be able to change your mailing address online or with a simple phone call. Postcards, e-mails, text messages, and social network announcements are also viable methods to inform people of your new address.