Change of Address Checklist: Who to Notify When You Move

Moving day is around the corner, and there’s so much to consider from hiring a mover to letting everyone know you’re actually moving. While you’ve probably shared the news with friends and family, you may have still have more people on the list you should inform.

If you want to make a smooth adjustment to your new home, it’s important to let all of the right people know about your change of address. (Think: the bank, your utility companies, etc.)

So who exactly should you notify when you move?

The list might be longer than you think—but we’ve got you covered. Check out this article for a complete change of address checklist.

Utility companies should be the first on your list to inform about your change of address. If you wait too long to tell them, you’ll be paying for services at your old place—and won’t have essentials like power and water at the new house!

Here are the most important utility companies to inform about your move:

• Gas
• Electricity
• Water
• Garbage
• Sewage
• Internet and cable
• Phone (landline)
• Home security service
• Solar energy company

If you’re like most people these days, you probably have at least a handful of subscription services, including streaming services, Amazon subscriptions, and subscription boxes. Don’t forget to let these companies know about your move, too.

Change your address with these subscription services:

• Amazon Prime
• Streaming services
• Subscription boxes
• Gym memberships
• Other local memberships
• Retail websites
• Magazines and catalogs

The easiest way to ensure all your mail gets to your new address right off the bat is by filling out a change of address form online (or at your local post office.) Once you fill out this form, your mail will be automatically forwarded to your new address for up to a year. (Although magazine subscriptions and a few other types of mail will only be forwarded for three months.) Avoid any third-party sites that ask you to pay more than the $1.10 fee from USPS—these could be fraudulent.

Still, the postal service isn’t the only government organization to loop in on your upcoming move. Make sure you also inform these agencies:

• DMV
• Internal revenue service (IRS)
• Social security administration
• Veteran affairs (if applicable)
• Voter registration
• Other government benefits (like retirement, disability, Medicare, etc.)

It’s essential for all of your financial institutions to know about your move, too. Otherwise, you might have bills and other important documents floating around at the post office—or arriving at your old address.

Don’t forget these financial institutions as you move along your change of address checklist:

• Bank and credit union
• Loan company
• Credit card company
• Retail credit accounts
• Financial advisors or accountants

Filling out a change of address form with the USPS will ensure your insurance mail arrives at your new house for the first 12 months. But you still need to contact these institutions to make sure they change their own records.

Here are the insurance companies you’ll want to notify about your move:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Car insurance
• Life insurance
• Homeowner’s insurance (or renter’s insurance)

Whether you’re moving local or long-distance, it’s important to keep your doctor and other health providers informed about your move. This way, you won’t miss any bills or upcoming appointment reminders.

Let these health providers know about your move:

• Doctor
• Dentist
• Veterinarian (if applicable)
• Pediatrician

There are a few other parties that you’ll definitely want to change your address with. Inform these groups, and you’ll have completed our change of address checklist!

Here are the last few people you need to let know about your change of address:

• Your current employer
• Your future employer (if applicable)
• Business associates
• Close friends and family
• Neighbors (old and new)
• Map apps (like Google Maps and Apple Maps)
• Smart home apps (for your TV, thermostat, doorbell, etc)

From your utility provider and car insurance company to your best friend in New York City, there are a lot of people to let know about your upcoming move. Fortunately, this checklist will help you keep your ducks in a row.

Contact all of the people and organizations on this list to ensure all of your mail, packages, important documents, and friends make it over to your new place without any hiccups!

Would you like to learn more about changing your address? Check out Move.org for How to Change Your Address and Forward Your Mail.

When you’re moving, don’t forget to inform everyone on this complete change of address checklist, including your credit card company and other financial institutions, insurance company, subscription services, utility provider, health insurance company, and the United States Postal Service.

Remember that even if you fill out a change of address form with USPS, you’ll still need to inform every party individually so that they can change their records to reflect your new address. Mail forwarding only lasts a year, so if you fail to do so, your mail might start getting lost in transit.

You can easily make an address change when making a home or office move by changing it online or in-person at your local post office. You’ll need to provide your current address and new address and answer questions about whether your move is permanent or temporary, etc.

Once you complete this form, the postal service will forward mail to your new address for 12 months for just $1.10. However, you’ll still want to inform your bank, subscription services, and other institutions directly to continue getting mail at your new address beyond the first year.

If you’re internationally moving or already live in the UK, you can change your address by applying for mail redirection service online. Once you fill out this form, the postal service will redirect mail for up to 12 months. Mail redirection fees vary depending on the length of time you opt for the service.

Yes, check out this printable moving checklist to ensure you don’t forget any steps during the moving process. The list includes important tasks like researching moving companies, switching your address with utility companies, deep cleaning your current home, etc. You can also download our ultimate change of address checklist to make sure your mail and other important documents make it to your new address!

Thinking about what’s next for your move? Check out these resources to ease the process:

• Keep Organized With Our Moving Checklist
• Find Moving Boxes
• Hire a Moving Company
• Locate a Moving Container
• Ship Your Car