Change of Address Checklist: Who To Notify in 2022

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When you move, changing your address should be on top of your list of things to do. The persons and agencies you need to update your address with include the post office, government agencies, banks, utility companies, insurance providers, streaming services, employers, health service providers and more. Our checklist on who to notify will ensure you don't miss anything essential.

Who Do You Need To Notify When You Change Your Address?

Moving into a new home can be stressful without the right planning. Knowing who to notify when you change your address can save you time and potential legal headaches. Here's a list of who you should notify when you move:

  1. USPS

  2. Gas and Electric

  3. Water

  4. Internet, Phone and Cable

  5. DMV

  6. IRS

  7. Insurance Providers

  8. Social Security

  9. Employer

  10. Memberships, Subscriptions and Streaming Services

  11. Banks, Credit Cards and Financial Institutions

  12. Friends and Family

  13. Health Service Providers

  14. Online Services

  15. Other Notices

Change of Address Checklist for 2022

Use this change of address checklist to make sure essential services and agencies are informed of your new address to prevent major headaches like denied insurance claims, lapses in service and lost mail.

USPS

This should be the first place to notify of a change of address so you can get mail that is addressed to your old place forwarded to your new one for up to a year. It's easy to update your address online for a small fee and even set a date to start forwarding mail. You can also go to your post office and fill out a free form. You'll need to let them know your old address, your new address, and if the move is temporary or permanent.

Knowing who to notify when you change your address can save you time and potential legal headaches.

Gas and Electric

You don't want to live without gas and electricity — even for just an hour. For your convenience, you should set up gas and electric service as soon as possible prior to your move date. When you transfer your service, you will have to arrange to shut it off at your old address at the end of your move date (or even a day or two after, just in case) and have service turned on the day you move in. No one wants to move boxes in the dark or without air conditioning. You also wouldn't want to pay for services at your old place because you failed to notify them. Your energy provider should have a customer service number for you to call or an online portal that allows you to change your address.

Water

It's so easy to forget to update your address with your water provider before moving, but you'll want it right away along with electricity and internet services.

Internet, Phone and Cable

Imagine relaxing after a long day of moving and realizing you don't have any internet access. Notify your internet, phone and cable providers before moving as soon as you know your new address. You may want to overlap services at both places for a few days so you have access to communication. Your cell phone provider should also be notified of your new billing address. Most providers will allow you to change your address online or over the phone.

DMV

Next, you should update your address with the DMV since any address changes will affect your driver's license, ID card, vehicle registration and title. Don't procrastinate on this, many states have strict deadlines and penalties for changing your address on your license and registration. Depending on your state, you may be able change your address online by going to your state's DMV website. What you'll need: Change of address form, driver's license number, date of birth, new/old mailing address, new/old address, proof of residence, proof of identification and social security number.

IRS

Tax authorities will need to know any changes to your address so you don't miss important notifications and also to prevent fraud. You can easily notify the IRS and your state by letter, over the phone, when you file your taxes, or by downloading Form 8822 and sending it to the right IRS office. You should let both your state tax agency and the federal revenue agency know when you move. You will need to provide them with your full name, date of birth, social security number, and your old and new addresses. Your state tax agency should have a government website with directions online and downloadable forms.

Social Security

You should also update the social security administration, especially if you are receiving Medicare and social security checks. You can log into your My SSA Account, click on your profile and go to "Update Contact Information," where you can update your new address and when you plan on moving. You can also call them at (800) 772-1213 to speak with a representative.

It can be easy to overlook changing your address, but every state requires that you update your address within thirty days.

Insurance Providers

All insurance providers require up-to-date billing information, including:

  • Car insurance

  • Homeowners or renters insurance

  • Health insurance

  • Life insurance

Insurance carriers use your residence to determine insurance rates based on potential risks associated with driving and living in that area. Failing to update your new address in a timely manner could result in a breach of your insurance policy, which could lead to a policy cancellation or a claim denial. Don't risk your insurance carrier refusing to pay a claim after an accident or injury because you failed to update your address.

Employer

Legally, your employer will need your new address, even if you direct deposit your paycheck. Your employer will need to be able to mail you tax forms, pay stubs and more. You can notify your manager or HR to determine what steps you should take.

Memberships, Subscriptions and Streaming Services

If you have magazines, monthly flower arrangements or delivery box services like Hello Fresh, makeup subscriptions and more, you won't want to miss out on the latest deliveries. You may be able to change your address when you log into your account, or you can call customer service directly. Don't forget to notify any streaming and payment services of your new address. It's easy to forget to notify Netflix or Venmo, but your billing address should be the same as the credit card or bank account you have on file.

Banks, Credit Cards and Financial Institutions

Banks, credit cards and financial institutions often report to credit bureaus, so they must be up to date with your primary address. For one thing, you don't want your personal information falling into the wrong hands, plus you could potentially miss a payment or important notices. Financial institutions also include loan providers. You can change your address by going to the agency's website and updating your account information. Some people find it easier to call their customer service number and verbally change their address.

Not updating your address could result in not receiving bank statements, credit card statements and important bills.

Friends and Family

Friends and family should be notified (to avoid them showing up and disturbing the new tenants). While there are change-of-address cards you can send out, it might be easier to send out a mass text or email with your new address and BCC everyone for privacy.

Health Service Providers

Your doctor, veterinarian, dentist, eye doctor and other health service providers need to have an up-to-date billing address that matches your insurance information. Don't forget to update doctors that you only see once a year for a preventative check-up like your obgyn, optometrist and orthodontist to prevent you from missing important appointments, invoices and bills. Bear in mind that if your address doesn't match your insurance policy, you may have issues with payments and insurance claims.

Additional Notices

You may have special circumstances that require an update in your address. For example, if you pay child support or share custody of a child, all relevant parties and authorities must be informed in a timely manner. Additionally, anyone on probation or being monitored by the state must also notify authorities of their address change. People who receive government benefits like pensions, welfare or social security must notify the appropriate agencies or they risk having their benefits suspended or terminated.

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Is It Required To Submit a Change of Address When You Move?

It can be easy to overlook changing your address, but every state requires that you update your address within thirty days. There are many reasons why this is required, mostly because it's important that you can be located. For example, if you receive a traffic ticket or are involved in a car accident, authorities need to know how to reach you. Since most states use your driver's license for voter registration, tax purposes and establishing residence, it is considered illegal to not update your address and driver's license — even if you tend to move around a lot. Any time you move, you must change the address on your driver's license, your insurance policy and your car's registration.

Insurance providers require a change of address to transfer your policy. Your rates may change drastically!

What Happens if You Don't Change Your Address After You Move?

Not updating your address could result in not receiving your mail, which likely include bank statements, credit card statements and important bills. Certain companies like insurance providers require a change of address to transfer your policy as needed. If you move out of state, you could negatively impact your ability to update your voter registration or tax forms if you do not change your address within a certain period of time; failure to do so could result in fines.

FAQs

When should I change my address?

You should change your address two weeks before you move to give the post office enough time to forward your mail. For your vehicle's license and registration, most states require a change of address within 30 days of your moving date.

Can I change my USPS address online?

Yes — you can change your USPS address online by going to USPS.com/move.

How long does it take for mail to be forwarded to a new address?

You should allow up to two weeks for your mail to be forwarded to your new address.

Getting Ready to Move?

Moving can be overwhelming with the tasks you have to juggle; it is easy to overlook something like changing your address. You can make your move easier by planning ahead and notifying everyone on our checklist. Your auto insurance rates may fluctuate based on your new location, so you may want to shop around to make sure you have the lowest rates available. SmartFinancial can help you — just enter your zip code below and answer a few quick questions to get a selection of the best rates in your new neighborhood.

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