In order to protect your identity, put your paperwork in order, prevent service lapses, and avoid losing important mail, you need to act in a timely manner.
Create a master checklist to ensure you don’t overlook anyone important. Prioritize notifications based on urgency.
When moving house, you will have a lot to do and a lot to think about. Overwhelmed with hard work and important decisions, you can easily overlook a seemingly less significant task, such as notifying people and organizations about your change of address. As busy as you may be, though, it’s crucial to inform others about your move and provide them with your new address.
But who needs to know your new address? Who to notify when moving?
Here is a comprehensive change of address checklist that covers all the people and places you need to notify when moving – from personal contacts to government offices – to help ensure that you won’t miss anyone important.
Personal Contacts
When considering who to notify when moving to a new house, start with your personal contacts:
So, our new address is…
Family and friends – Your relatives and friends will need to know your exact address in order to stay in touch;
Neighbors – It’s a good idea to give your new address to your old neighbors, so they can reach you if needed (in case you receive something at your old address, or someone comes looking for you at your old house, or your cat escapes after the move and returns to your old home, etc.);
Landlord (if applicable) – If you’re moving out of a rental property, you need to inform your landlord of your move and give the notice to vacate within the timeframe specified in your lease agreement (usually 30 days before the move);
Employer – If you’re employed and will be quitting your job after the move, you need to inform your boss of your intentions at least a month in advance. If you’ll be working the same job after the relocation, you still need to notify your employer of your new address, so they can update your records and send you mail at the correct address;
Schools – If you have children who will need to change schools after the move, you will have to inform their current school(s) of your move ahead of time and collect their school records. If your children will continue attending the same school after the relocation, you will just have to provide the educational institution with your new address. (See also: How to find a good new school when moving)
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First things first, you need to change your address with the USPS, so you can receive your mail in your new home.
Fortunately, the process is very simple and won’t take much of your time – you can go to a local post office and complete a change-of-address form or you can fill out the COA form online. Either way, once the USPS processes your request, they will start forwarding your mail to your new address.
Bonus tip: To make sure you won’t lose any mail after the move, be sure to submit your change-of-address form about 2 weeks before your moving date, as it can take up to 10-12 business days for the USPS to complete the procedure.
When it comes to who to notify of your change of address, utility companies and service providers are crucial. After all, you want to have electricity, gas, and water in your new home when you get there – and you don’t want to miss bills or end up paying bills that are not yours.
So, it’s essential to contact utility companies (gas and electric companies, water and sewer services, trash and recycling services, and telephone, cable, and internet providers, etc.) ahead of time and arrange for the services in your old home to be disconnected on the day after move-out day and the utilities in your new home to be connected on move-in day.
Depending on whether you’re moving locally or long-distance, you may be able to transfer the utilities to your new home (and just update your address with your current service providers) or you may need to find new service providers.
When moving to a new place, it’s necessary to update your information with government and public offices. The list of places to notify when moving includes:
Be sure to take care of the paperwork on time.
The Department of Motor Vehicles – You will need to update your address with the DMV after the move. If you’re moving to another state, you will be required to update your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and title as well (in most states, you will have 30 days to take care of the paperwork);
The Social Security Administration – If you receive Social Security benefits, you will have to report your new address ahead of time to ensure continued payments;
The electoral register – You will need to update your voter registration to be eligible to vote in local, state, and federal elections at your new address.
The Internal Revenue Service – It’s crucial that the IRS have your accurate address on file, so tax returns and other tax documents don’t get lost or stolen in the mail.
City/Municipality utilities and services – You will have to notify your local government of your new address so they can transfer or set up necessary services such as trash collection.
When wondering who to notify when you move, remember that it’s very important that all financial institutions you have dealings with have your correct address.
Be sure to provide your banks, credit unions, credit card companies, loan providers (mortgage, personal, auto, etc.), and investment and retirement account holders with your new address without delay.
Timely communication will ensure that you continue to receive important financial documents, statements, and notifications without interruption. It will also help prevent identity theft and any consequent problems.
Insurance providers should also be informed of your change of address – so they can update or change your policies as necessary.
Update your contact information with your homeowners or renters insurance, auto insurance, health insurance, and life insurance providers. This will ensure that your coverage remains up to date and you receive essential communications.
Your doctor may be able to give you reliable recommendations for good healthcare providers in your new area.
Your list of people to notify when moving should include medical care providers as well.
Inform your primary care physician, dentist, optometrist, and any specialists you and your family members see regularly about your new address. This will allow them to update your records and potentially recommend new healthcare providers in your new area (when applicable).
If you have pets, notify your veterinarian and request copies of your pets’ medical records. If your animal friend is microchipped, don’t forget to update their address on the microchip registry.
Subscriptions and memberships are another important category to remember when thinking about who to notify when moving to a new house.
Update your mailing address for newspapers, magazines, and online streaming services to avoid disruptions.
Be sure to inform clubs, gyms, and any organizations you belong to of your change of address. Some memberships may require transferring or canceling your subscription, depending on your new location.
When to Notify Different People and Places of Your Move
Timing is crucial when notifying different people and places about your move.
Needless to say, you should inform family and friends of your plans as soon as you have a moving date.
When it comes to government and public offices, financial institutions, and insurance providers, it’s best to notify them about two weeks before your move. This will give them sufficient time to update their records and helps prevent miscommunication and trouble.
Utility companies and services should also be notified at least two weeks in advance. This provides ample time to schedule service transfers, installations, or disconnections.
For subscriptions and memberships, give at least one month’s notice, as some may require time to process your request or transfer your membership.
Tips for Notifying People and Organizations of Your Change of Address
In order to efficiently and effectively notify all the necessary parties of your change of address and ensure a smooth transition to your new home, you’re advised to:
Now everyone who needs to know your new address knows it.
Have a master who to notify when moving house checklist – Create a comprehensive list of everyone you need to notify. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don’t forget anyone important.
Prioritize notifications – Prioritize your list based on the urgency and importance of each notification. This will help you tackle the most critical notifications first.
Use online services – Many institutions, such as the USPS, DMV, and banks, allow you to update your address online, making the process quick and straightforward.
Be prepared with all the necessary information – When notifying people, institutions, and organizations of your move, have all the relevant information on hand, such as account numbers, new and old addresses, moving dates, etc.
Keep records – Document when and how you notified each party. This will be helpful in case any issues arise or if you need to reference the information later.
When you know who to notify of a change of address when moving, you can ensure a seamless transition to your new world. Use this change of address checklist as a guide to help you navigate the moving process and settle into your new home with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who should I let know I’m moving?
Begin by informing personal contacts, such as family, friends, and neighbors, and proceed to update essential institutions like the United States Postal Service, utilities, government offices, financial institutions, insurance providers, medical professionals, and subscriptions. Prioritize notifications based on urgency, and use online services whenever possible for efficiency. Maintaining a master checklist and documenting each notification will help ensure a smooth relocation process and settling into your new home with ease.
How do I plan a moving day?
– Set a moving date. – Begin decluttering your belongings and pack items room by room. – Inform family, friends, and institutions about your change of address. – Update your address with USPS, utility companies, government offices, financial institutions, insurance providers, medical professionals, and subscriptions. – Contact utility companies to disconnect services at your old home and connect them to the new one. – Prepare a box with essential items you’ll need on moving day and the first night in your new home, such as toiletries, clothes, snacks, and important documents. – If you have children or pets, arrange for their care on moving day to reduce stress and distractions. – Disassemble large furniture items to make them easier to move. Keep screws and parts in labeled bags. – Create a floor plan of your new home to guide movers on where to place furniture and boxes. – Keep a basic first aid kit on hand in case of any minor accidents or injuries. – Have water and snacks available to stay hydrated and energized throughout the moving process. – Place boxes and furniture in a clear and accessible area for movers to unload quickly. – Before the movers leave, double-check your inventory to ensure all items have been transported. – Lock up your old home, return keys to your landlord if applicable, and ensure your new home is secure before settling in.
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