Moving is a task full of challenges, adventure, and new beginnings. A moving change of address checklist can come as the guiding light in the chaos of a move. When you are hustling with the moving tasks, it is important to remember to update your address and notify the relevant parties of this change. Here we have come up with the address change checklist to notify the necessary entities ensuring a smooth transition to your new home.
Government Agencies
Updating your address with government agencies is critical to ensure that important documents, notices, and benefits reach you without delay. Here’s a checklist of essential government services to notify of your change of address change notice –
1) United States Postal Service (USPS)
Inform the United States Postal Service about your change of address. What you have to do is to go to the post office and fill out a form, which is free. Another way is to fill it out online by visiting the Official USPS® Change-of-Address portal and paying a very small amount of verification fee.
2) Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
The next government agency to notify of the change of address is the Department of Motor Vehicle. The change of home address affects your things related to driving like your ID card, registration, driver’s license, and vehicle title. So, get your driver’s license updated with the new address to receive important notices about your vehicles.
3) Social Security Administration
If you receive government benefits like Social Security, it is vital to update the Social Security Administration on your address change. You can fill out their free online form to update your contact details. You need to update the address if you receive disability, medicare, retirement, supplemental security income, and survivor benefits. Even if you receive the benefits through direct deposit, SSA can stop these benefits if they can’t contact you by mail. You can read their guidelines on there website.
4) Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
You must send address change notifications to the tax authorities so that you don’t miss any important letters and avoid any kind of fraud. Let the IRS get your change of address notice through phone or letter. You should know that the government can’t send you a tax return if your current address is not on file. So update it as soon as possible. Link your tax return electronically to your bank account so that you can get money instantly from the IRS.
5) Voter Registration:
Get your voter ID updated with the new address to ensure you can vote in local, state, and federal elections.
Financial Institutions
You don’t want to entangle yourself in the web of missed payments, fees, and other financial complications. So inform your financial institutions about your new address. But who to notify when you move? Here is the list of financial entities that you should inform.
1) Banks and Credit Unions
Let your bank or credit union know about your current address to receive new checks, statements, and other important correspondence.
2) Loan Providers
If you have taken any loans like auto loans, home loans, or student loans for your necessities, it is important that you let your loan providers know of your new address to avoid any missed payments and penalties.
3) Investment Accounts
Do you have any accounts with brokerage firms, insurance companies, or retirement account providers? If yes, ensure to update them to receive any kind of important notice.
4) Accountants and tax advisors
Inform your advisors, tax advisors, and accountants of your current address as soon as possible.
Utilities and Service Providers
Updating your address with utility companies and service providers is crucial to avoid interruptions in service and ensure smooth billing transitions. Here’s a change of address checklist to follow for essential utilities and service providers –
1) Gas and Electric
Nobody wants to pay the energy bills of their old house if they have moved to the new house. If you are thinking “How can I change my address”, explore energy solutions by state and the information on changing your energy bill’s address online. Also, terminate the services at your old address so that the utility services at your new address can start promptly.
2) Water and Sewer
Water is a necessity without which nobody can live. You don’t want your water and sewer service providers to transfer your services and bills to the wrong address. So, update your address as soon as possible and let the bills come to the right place.
3) Internet, Cable, and Phone
You have paid attention to the utilities. Now, let’s talk about the add-ons. Internet, cable, and mobile forms essential parts of today’s lives. If you are the one who works under the work-from-home model or stream instantly, get your internet and cable connection transferred to your new address before you make a final move. We advise you to get a professional appointment two to three weeks before your move date.
4) Trash and Recycling
Get in touch with your local waste management company to enquire about trash and recycling services near the new address and ensure proper billing for your new home.
Subscriptions and Memberships
To avoid missed deliveries and communications, update your address with any subscriptions and memberships you have. So where to change your address when you move, as far as subscriptions and memberships are concerned?
1) Magazines and Newspapers
If you have signed up for any magazine or newspaper publication, notify them of your address change by calling their customer service department or by simply emailing them. This will help you continue receiving these publications without any interruption.
2) Online Retailers
When it comes to updating addresses, update it with online retailers like Amazon to receive the packages at your new home.
3) Gym Memberships
Let your gym know about your address change so that you can continue your gym membership at your new home.
4) Streaming services
Update your address with streaming services like Netflix and Hulu to ensure your account information is current.
Personal and Professional Contacts
Updating your address with personal and professional contacts is crucial for maintaining relationships and ensuring you receive important communications. Here’s an address change checklist to follow –
1) Family and Friends
Update your loved ones with your new address to keep in touch with them.
2) Employer
Ensure to update your employer with your new address. This way, they can maintain your records professionally. Also, your payroll and other benefits will reach the right address.
Healthcare Providers
Maintaining continuity of care and ensuring timely delivery of medical information requires updating your address with healthcare providers. Here’s a change of address checklist to guide you –
1) Primary Care Physician
Give the address of the change notice to your primary care physician to keep your medical records and communication updated.
2) Specialists
If you consult any specialist for your treatment, let them know about your address change.
3) Pharmacy
Notify the pharmacy of your new address to receive their prescription at the correct location and avoid any delays in receiving medication.
Final Words
You should not overlook the step of updating the address while making a move to a new place. Follow the above checklist and save yourself from potential headaches when settling into your new home.
And if you want someone to help with your big move, Big Apple Moving is here to streamline your moving process. Our team will develop a customized plan for you as per your moving needs, and provide professional packing, unpacking and reliable transportation services, ultimately ensuring your satisfaction.
So, what are you waiting for? Contact Big Apple Moving for more information and for a seamless move.