Changing your address when moving might seem straightforward, but miss one important account and you could face missed bills, lost packages, or worse. This comprehensive checklist ensures you update every important contact—saving you from headaches down the road.
Government & Official (Do These First)
USPS Mail Forwarding
- When: 2 weeks before move
- How: USPS.com/move or at post office
- Cost: $1.10 verification fee online
- Duration: 12 months (can extend)
- Covers: First-class mail, priority mail, packages
Important: Mail forwarding is temporary. Update your address directly with all contacts.
Driver's License
- When: Within 10-90 days depending on state
- Where: DMV or MVA in new state
- Bring: Proof of residency, social security card, current license
- Cost: $20-$50 depending on state
Read more: Getting a driver's license in your new state
Vehicle Registration
- When: Within 30-90 days
- Required: Title, proof of insurance, license, inspection (some states)
- Cost: Varies widely by state
Voter Registration
- Register: Vote.gov or state election website
- Deadline: Varies, but typically 30 days before election
Social Security Administration
- If needed: Only if name change or you receive SS benefits
- How: SSA.gov or visit local office
IRS
- Form: Form 8822 (Change of Address)
- Or: Update on next tax return
- Online: IRS.gov
Financial Institutions
Banks & Credit Unions
- Checking accounts
- Savings accounts
- Money market accounts
- Update: Online, by phone, or in branch
Credit Cards
- All credit card accounts
- Why it matters: New cards sent to old address are security risks
- Update: Online account or call customer service
Loans & Mortgages
- Student loans
- Auto loans
- Personal loans
- Mortgage (if you own property in old location)
Investment Accounts
- Brokerage accounts
- Retirement accounts (401k, IRA)
- Robo-advisors (Betterment, Wealthfront, etc.)
Payment Services
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Cash App
- Zelle (update through your bank)
Insurance
Health Insurance
- Employer-provided health insurance
- Marketplace/ACA insurance
- Medicare/Medicaid
- Important: Moving to new state may require new plan
Learn more: Navigating health insurance after moving states
Other Insurance Policies
- Auto insurance (MUST update—rates vary by location)
- Renter's insurance (old policy ends, new one needed)
- Life insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Disability insurance
- Pet insurance
Medical & Healthcare
Healthcare Providers
- Request medical records from:
- Primary care physician
- Dentist
- Specialists
- Therapist/psychiatrist
- Veterinarian
Pharmacies
- Transfer prescriptions to pharmacy near new home
- Update address for mail-order prescriptions
Subscriptions & Memberships
Streaming Services
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Disney+
- HBO Max
- Amazon Prime
- Spotify/Apple Music
Shopping Accounts
- Amazon
- Target
- Walmart
- Any online retailers you use
Food Delivery
- DoorDash
- Uber Eats
- GrubHub
- Instacart
Subscription Boxes
- Meal kits (HelloFresh, Blue Apron, etc.)
- Beauty boxes
- Clothing subscriptions (Stitch Fix, etc.)
- Pet supply subscriptions
Memberships
- Gym membership (cancel or transfer)
- AAA
- Costco/Sam's Club
- Professional associations
- Alumni associations
Magazines & Newspapers
- Print magazine subscriptions
- Newspaper delivery
Utilities & Services (Old Address)
Schedule Disconnection
- Electric company: Schedule disconnect for day after you leave
- Gas company
- Water/sewer
- Internet/cable: Return equipment, avoid fees
- Trash/recycling
- Home security system
Timing: Schedule 2-3 weeks in advance, but disconnect date is day after move
Utilities & Services (New Address)
Schedule Connection
- Electric: Connected 1 day before arrival
- Gas
- Water/sewer
- Internet/cable: Installation appointment
- Trash/recycling
Pro tip: Set up utilities 2-3 weeks before move to ensure they're ready when you arrive
Professional & Work
Employment
- HR department (for paycheck, W-2)
- Update address for:
- 401(k) provider
- Health insurance
- Employee benefits
Professional Contacts
- LinkedIn (update location)
- Professional licenses and certifications
- Bar association (lawyers)
- State licensing boards
Personal & Family
Schools
- Request transcripts from old school
- Enroll in new school district
- Student loan servicers
Friends & Family
- Send change of address cards
- Update on social media
- Notify emergency contacts
Miscellaneous
- Library card (return books, get new library card)
- Season tickets or event subscriptions
- Pet licenses (register in new city)
- Churches, volunteer organizations
Online Accounts
Email Signatures
- Update email signatures with new address/phone
Social Media
- Facebook (update location)
- Instagram (update bio if location included)
- Twitter/X
- LinkedIn (update current city)
Other Online Services
- Google account
- Apple ID
- Microsoft account
- eBay
- Etsy
- Dating apps (update location!)
Mobile Apps & Accounts
- Food delivery apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
- Ride share (Uber, Lyft)—update home address
- Navigation apps (home address in Google Maps, Waze)
- Weather apps
- Local news apps
Timeline for Updates
1 Month Before Move
- Schedule utility disconnection at old address
- Schedule utility connection at new address
- Update USPS mail forwarding
2 Weeks Before Move
- Update banks and credit cards
- Update insurance policies
- Notify employer
- Request medical records
- Transfer prescriptions
1 Week Before Move
- Update subscriptions and memberships
- Notify friends and family
- Cancel or transfer gym membership
Within 30 Days After Move
- Update driver's license
- Update vehicle registration
- Register to vote
- Get new renter's/homeowner's insurance
- Update auto insurance
Within 60 Days After Move
- File change of address with IRS
- Update any remaining accounts
Tools to Make It Easier
USPS Change of Address Service
- Free mail forwarding for 12 months
- They notify some companies on your behalf
Change of Address Apps
- Updater.com (helps track and update accounts)
- MovingWaldo (automated update service)
Spreadsheet Method
Create your own tracking sheet with columns for:
- Company/Account name
- Update method (online, phone, mail)
- Date updated
- Confirmation number
- Status (pending/complete)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying only on USPS forwarding: It's temporary—update accounts directly
- Forgetting auto insurance: Your rate WILL change based on location
- Missing subscription boxes: They'll keep shipping to old address
- Not updating voter registration: You might miss elections
- Waiting too long for driver's license: You can get fined in some states
- Forgetting medical records: You'll need them for new doctors
- Missing loan servicers: Can cause missed payments and credit damage
Printable Checklist
Use this simplified checklist to track your progress:
Government (Priority 1)
- ☐ USPS mail forwarding
- ☐ Driver's license
- ☐ Vehicle registration
- ☐ Voter registration
- ☐ IRS
Financial (Priority 1)
- ☐ Banks/credit unions
- ☐ Credit cards
- ☐ Loan servicers
- ☐ Investment accounts
Insurance (Priority 1)
- ☐ Health insurance
- ☐ Auto insurance
- ☐ Renter's insurance
Utilities - Old Address
- ☐ Electric
- ☐ Gas
- ☐ Water
- ☐ Internet/cable
- ☐ Trash
Utilities - New Address
- ☐ Electric
- ☐ Gas
- ☐ Water
- ☐ Internet/cable
- ☐ Trash
Other (Priority 2)
- ☐ Employer/HR
- ☐ Medical records
- ☐ Pharmacy
- ☐ Subscriptions
- ☐ Amazon
- ☐ Gym
- ☐ Friends & family
Final Thoughts
Updating your address is tedious, but taking a systematic approach ensures nothing falls through the cracks. Start early, work through the list methodically, and keep records of what you've updated.
The hour or two you spend now updating addresses will save you from months of forwarded mail, missed bills, and frustrating account issues later.
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