Save time and avoid stress by updating your address with these essential organizations before you pack the first box.
Key Takeaways
- Notify essential utilities and government agencies at least two weeks before your move date to ensure seamless service.
- Update your address with financial institutions and insurance providers to prevent potential coverage gaps or identity theft risks.
- Don’t forget digital services and subscriptions, including online shopping profiles, streaming accounts, and smart home location settings.
Moving day brings enough chaos without the added worry of missing bills or service interruptions. You might have the boxes packed and the truck rented, but forgetting to update your address with the right people can cause real headaches, from identity theft and lapsed insurance coverage to a cold shower in your new home. We created this comprehensive guide to ensure you cover every base, from the power company to your streaming services, so you can focus on settling into your new space with confidence.
Essentials First: Utilities And Home Services To Notify Before You Move
Getting your lights, heat, and internet running is the most critical step in the relocation process. When you make your list of utilities to notify when moving, timing is everything. While specific lead times vary by provider, we recommend you contact them well in advance to avoid a gap in service, especially if you work from home or have smart home security systems that require an active connection.
If you are moving to a deregulated energy market, this transition period offers the perfect opportunity to shop around for a plan that aligns with your values. If you have a choice of providers, look for energy-saving or eco-conscious plans, such as those that use a high percentage of wind or solar power. You can often find competitive rates or choose a provider that sources electricity from renewable resources. If you’re staying in the same service territory, you’ll typically transfer service. If you’re moving to a new city or utility provider, you’ll need to close one account and open another. Here is a breakdown of who to call and when:
- Internet and Cable: Call at least three weeks before your move. Technician appointments fill up quickly, and you don’t want to wait weeks for a connection.
- Electricity and Gas: Contact these providers at least one week out. If you are switching providers, this gives them time to finalize your account setup.
- Water and Sewer: Notify your local municipality about one week before your move date to schedule a final reading and start service at the new address.
- Waste and Recycling: Call one week in advance to arrange for bin drop-off or pickup.
For more detailed help on setting up these services, check out our guides on electric and internet service setup.
Government Agencies And Legal Documents To Update When You Move
Once your home services are scheduled, shift your focus to official government records. These updates are not just about convenience; they are often legal requirements. Updating your information here ensures you receive tax documents, vote in the correct district, and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Your comprehensive change of address checklist should always include these four agencies:
- USPS: You need to set up mail forwarding to catch any stragglers. Set this up one to two weeks before your move date so forwarding starts on time. You can choose between temporary or permanent forwarding. While you can fill out a form in person, the official USPS Change of Address website is faster and more efficient.
- DMV: Many states require you to update your driver’s license and vehicle registration within 30 days of moving, but deadlines vary. Check your state’s specific timeline to avoid fines.
- IRS: You must notify the IRS to ensure you receive tax refunds and sensitive correspondence. Filing Form 8822 is the standard way to update your records officially. Submit this form as soon as you move so your records stay current before tax season.
- Voter Registration: Your voice matters in your new community. Update your voter registration as soon as you know your new address, keeping in mind any registration cutoff dates in your state.
Financial Institutions and Insurance Providers
Your money and your safety nets need to move with you. Failing to update your address with banks and insurers is a common mistake that can have serious consequences. Sensitive financial documents delivered to an old address are a goldmine for identity thieves. Furthermore, insurance rates often change based on your zip code, and failing to notify your provider could jeopardize a claim if an accident occurs.
Make sure you contact the following institutions:
- Banks and Credit Unions: Update the billing address for all checking accounts, savings accounts, and credit cards.
- Loan Providers: Notify lenders for student loans, auto loans, and personal loans.
- Insurance Companies: Contact your agents for car, home, renters, health, and life insurance. Ask specifically how your move affects your premiums and coverage limits. Comparing rates is vital when moving to a new state, as costs can change substantially. Some insurers also offer discounts for eco-conscious upgrades, like energy-efficient appliances or solar panels, so your move is a good time to ask about these options.
- Retirement Accounts: Don’t lose track of your long-term savings. Update your profile with your 401(k) and IRA administrators.
If you are moving to a new state or region, rates and regulations might vary significantly. For more resources on settling in, visit our moving hub.
Subscriptions, Memberships, and Digital Accounts
In our connected world, your digital address is almost as important as your physical one. Many people overlook this category until a package arrives at the wrong doorstep or a smart device gives the wrong weather report. Updating these accounts prevents frustration and ensures your digital life transitions smoothly to your new home.
Go through your phone and computer to update these common services:
- Online Shopping: Update your default shipping address on Amazon, eBay, and PayPal immediately. Do this before you order moving supplies to avoid shipping errors.
- Streaming Services: Platforms like Netflix and Hulu may track your household location. You might need to update your “home” network to avoid service interruptions.
- Subscription Boxes: If you receive meal kits, pet supplies, or magazines, pause or redirect these shipments well in advance of your move week.
- Smart Home Tech: Go into the settings of your Google Home, Alexa, or Ring devices. Changing the device location ensures you get accurate local weather, news, and emergency alerts.
Health, Professional, and Personal Contacts
The final pieces of the puzzle are the people and professionals who keep your daily life running. These notifications are easy to forget because they don’t always send monthly bills, but they are vital for your health and career. Reach out to these contacts in the weeks leading up to your move so there’s no gap in pay, prescriptions, or communication.
Ensure these contacts know where to find you:
- Employer: Your HR department needs your new address for payroll and end-of-year tax forms like your W-2.
- Medical Providers: Inform your doctor, dentist, and veterinarian. If you are moving far away, this is the time to ask for records transfers to new providers.
- Friends and Family: You don’t need to write formal letters, but a quick notification ensures holiday cards and wedding invites reach you.
Wrap Up Your Move with Peace of Mind
Handling your change of address notifications doesn’t have to be a scramble on moving day. By breaking the list down into manageable chunks—starting with essential utilities and ending with your personal contacts, you protect yourself from missed bills, service lapses, and security risks. Taking care of these details early allows you to walk through the front door of your new home focused on unpacking and celebrating rather than waiting on hold with customer service. Welcome home!
FAQs About Moving Notifications
Who is the first person to notify when moving?
Does the post office tell other companies I moved?
What happens if I forget to change my address?
Do I need to notify the IRS when I move?
Can I change my address for all my utilities at once?
About the Author
David has been an integral part of some of the biggest utility sites on the internet, including InMyArea.com, HighSpeedInternet.com, BroadbandNow.com, and U.S. News. He brings over 15 years of experience writing about, compiling and analyzing utility data.