Change of Address Checklist
December 1, 2023
Moving can be a stressful time, and making sure all the right people are informed of your new address can be daunting. Below is a reminder of who should be contacted and when you should reach out. Get a head start on the list so you can dedicate more of your time to packing and making your new place feel like home.
Utility companies
You do not want to move into a new house and find you are without water or electricity because you forgot to reach out to utility companies in advance. Here is a list of common utility services that should be activated before you move into your new home.
- Gas
- Electricity
- Water
- Garbage
- Sewage
- Internet and cable
- Cell phone carrier
- Home security service
Government organizations and financial institutions
USPS and the DMV come to mind for most individuals when thinking about who to contact when moving, but there are several other government organizations and financial institutions that should be included on the list, such as:
- USPS
- DMV
- IRS
- Social Security Administration
- Voter registration
- Other government benefit providers related to retirement, disability, Medicare, etc.
- Banks
- Loan companies
- Credit card companies (including retail credit cards)
- Financial advisors and accountants
Insurance companies and health services
Homeowners insurance or renters insurance should be secured before the moving process is complete, and other insurance and healthcare providers should also be updated, including:
- Health and dental insurance
- Car insurance
- Life insurance
- Homeowners insurance or renters insurance
- Doctors, veterinarians, dentists, and lawyers
Subscription services and others
Many households pay for multiple subscription services each month, which can make it difficult to keep track of everything that needs to be updated when there is an important change. To help jog your memory on which ones you use, below is a list of common subscription services, as well as important people and organizations that do not fall under utility companies, government organizations, financial institutions, insurance companies, and healthcare providers.
- Streaming services
- Amazon Prime, Walmart+, etc.
- Gym membership
- Local memberships at warehouse clubs such as Sam’s Club and Costco
- Website and magazine subscriptions
- Subscription boxes such as meal kits
- Smart home apps
- Payment services such as Venmo, PayPal, etc.
- Current employer
- Friends and family
- Religious institutions
When to contact
It is helpful to know who to contact about an address change, and it is just as important to know when to contact them. Below is a list of who to contact a month before you move and who to contact roughly two weeks before you move.
One month before you move
- Insurance companies, including car, home or renters, life, medical, etc.
- Utilities including cable, internet, electric, gas, garbage, home security, sewage, water, etc.
Two weeks before you move
- Community members and organizations such as friends and family, religious organizations, membership clubs, etc.