Who to Notify of Your Move Checklist

The moving experts at All My Sons Moving & Storage want you to be fully prepared to settle in at your new home. Part of the hassle of moving addresses after all the furniture and boxes have been unloaded at your new home is making sure your address is updated with everyone who needs it.

Include this list of who to notify of your move on your moving checklist, and start unpacking with confidence.

You should aim to update government agencies as soon as you have your new address to avoid interruptions in mail or other essential services. 

• United States Postal Office: You can file a change of address with USPS up to 30 days before your move. USPS advises you allow 2 weeks for mail forwarding to take effect. 

• Internal Revenue Service: There are a few ways to update your address with the IRS, and they are essential if you are expecting a tax return or if stimulus checks are distributed. Use Form 8822 to update your address with the IRS. Form 8822-B can be used to update your business address. You can also mail in a written statement or call the IRS.

• Social Security Administration: If you receive Social Security benefits, you should have a profile on the SSA website. You can update your address in your online profile or call the SSA. 

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Veterans should update their address with the VA.gov to ensure the continuation of any benefits they receive.

• Department of Motor Vehicles: Most states require you to update your driver’s license address within 30-90 days of moving. Make an appointment at your local DMV or use your state’s online portal to see if you can update your address online if moving local. If you fail to change your driver’s license address in time, you could face fines or penalties if pulled over by law enforcement.

• Voter Registration: Go to Vote.gov and select your state or territory to update your voter registration or register to vote in your new area of residence. 

• Unemployment Benefits: If you have filed for unemployment, you will need to visit your state’s unemployment portal to update your profile.

• SNAP Benefits: If you are currently receiving SNAP benefits you will have to locate your local office’s online portal or mobile app to make or request changes to your profile.

The USPS will forward your mail from companies like your insurance providers, but you should still update your address with the companies themselves.

• Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance: Your rate and your coverage will be impacted by your move, even if it’s a local one, and your company needs to know the address of service for their records. If you do not inform your company of a move, they could void your policy.

• Car Insurance: Your zip code has an impact on your car insurance premium, so your car insurance company has a vested interest in learning about your move.

• Life Insurance: Your company likely has an online portal where you can update your address. Update as soon as possible to avoid missing policy statements, renewal notices, or benefit checks.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: If your plan is sponsored by your employer then your medical, dental, or vision insurance carrier might get an update to your address after you notify and update with your employer.

You should contact your financial institutions with your intention to move as soon as possible. This ensures you do not miss any statements or other important communications, and it helps protect you against anyone at your previous address opening your financial mail and using it to steal your identity. 

• Banks or Credit Unions: Log into your account online or visit a branch location to update your address.

• Credit Card Companies: Include any store credit cards. You can make your address update through an online portal or by calling customer service.

• Loan Companies: Don’t miss statements or other communications. Visit your loan company’s website or call the customer service line to find out how to update your address.

• Financial Advisors and Accountants: If someone handles accounts for you or offers expertise on certain accounts, make sure they have your new address as well.

• Retirement Accounts: Statements and other important communications might arrive at your old address unless you make sure to update any retirement accounts not connected to banks or credit unions you have already updated.

These are often easy to remember. If you’re moving within the same service area then you will need to give advanced notice of your move to your utility provider for a transfer of service. If you need to connect utilities before a move, you’ll have to give them your address and a date for activation of services.

• Phone Company: Landlines and cell phone service providers.

• Internet Provider: Get connected at your address so you can shop, stream, work, and play online.

• Electricity and Gas: Provide a new address for transfer of service or set a date for deactivation with your old provider. Your old provider might ask for the new address so they can send any final bills.

• Home Security System: Your home security system can’t adequately protect an address they don’t service yet. If you are keeping the same security system provider then call or visit your profile page to find out how to update your address.

If you are moving local and continuing to see the same healthcare providers then you will want to update all your providers with your address. Even if you are moving long-distance you want to be sure your providers can reach you with any remaining bills or medical records.

• Doctors’ Offices: Update your address with your primary care physician and any specialists you see like cardiologists, psychiatrists, dermatologists, neurologists, or pediatricians. 

• Dentist: Get your appointment reminders for your bi-annual dental cleanings.

• Optometrist: Any glasses or contacts getting delivered to your home need to be able to reach you.

• Veterinarian: Moving with a pet? Your pet’s attentive care should be part of your moving plan, and you should notify your vet of the move. Also make sure your pet’s tags and any microchips are updated with your new address.

• Pharmacies: Mailed medications and bills should be able to reach you.

Shopper beware, many of these services have your address on file. If you aren’t careful you could get your next take-out meal delivered to the wrong address. Hesitate before a one-click buy and make sure you’re sending your items to your new home where you can get them.

• Meal Kits: If you get food from Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, Home Chef, Factor, Tempo, EveryPlate, Hungryroot, or any similar service then you will need to log into your account and update your address before your next delivery ships.

• Magazines: Paper magazines, newsletters, and catalogues. If you get them in the mail and you’d like to continue to receive them then call up customer service and make sure they have your new address. 

• Online Retailers: Amazon, Etsy, Chewy, Shop, or any other online store you use that offers one-click buy or auto-ship.

• Apps: Any apps that provide delivery of food or goods, like Uber Eats, GrubHub, Door Dash, Postmates, or Instacart. You should also update gig-working apps you use like TaskRabbit, Rover, Meowtel, Uber, or Lyft.

• Subscription Boxes: Those delightful packages that come to you every month need a way to reach you. Log onto your online portal to change your address with your subscription boxes.

Other than your employer, these groups you can typically inform of your move at your earliest convenience. This keeps you in the loop with your chosen communities.

• Charities You Support: Maybe you’re ready to let those appeals for funds bounce back to where they came from, or maybe you still have a place in your heart for the cause and you’d like to keep hearing from them (and get your tax-deductible donation receipts).

• Religious Institutions: Keep getting your annual invitation to Easter Service or the Christmas Pageant, or just let your church body know where to send your tithing receipts.

• Clubs and Memberships: If you are a member at any local hangouts like recreational centers or if you have a shopping membership somewhere like Costco or Sam’s Club, make sure they can continue to send you coupons and deals.

• Gyms: Learn about special events and announcements for your gym if moving local.

• Alumni Organizations: Don’t miss the next high school or college reunion by falling off the grid, contact your alumni organizations with your new address.

• Your Employer: If you are moving local, you still need to inform your employer of your change of address for tax purposes. You should inform former employers of a change of address if you are moving long-distance to get any final paychecks.

• Business Associates: Make sure anyone you work with on a regular basis knows where to send their invoices. Also update your business cards if you have them.

• Friends and Family: Make sure your most treasured people can reach you with invitations, announcements, and holiday cards. Send out moving announcements to your current address list or call up your favorite people individually.

Strike the address updates off your moving checklist and enjoy unpacking at your new home. Your mail and packages will find their way to you and all your favorite people and organizations will be able to stay in touch.

Making a move soon? Contact All My Sons Moving & Storage to ask for a quote and get all the loading, lugging, and lifting handled for you. With 90+ locations nationwide and over 30 years of experience, All My Sons Moving & Storage has the skills and resources to pull off any local or long-distance more. Click the quote button below to get started on your move.