Staying on the grid while moving isn’t too challenging when access to e-mail, social media, and other communication methods makes almost everyone readily available. However, not everyone may be aware that you’re moving, and you don’t want to miss out on snail mail and utility services for a single second. Obviously, you must update your address before moving, but who needs to know? We know who needs to know and how and when to tell them below!
Family and Friends
Notify family and friends of your new address — even barely tolerable relatives. Most likely, those closest to you already know the address before it’s official, but a quick call or message should suffice. Waiting until you host a housewarming party is fine. When the holiday season approaches, send out cards earlier than usual, so recipients will have your address.
Job/Professional Organizations
Give your employer the professional courtesy of a month or two-week notice that you’re vacating your job and area. This allows them time to hire and train a new person, and they can update tax and insurance information, says Zillow. Inform professional organizations, too.
Landlord
If you’re vacating a rental property, review your lease agreement to see what notice you must give and if any stipulations exist regarding breaking your lease. Once you’ve found out, Zillow suggests writing a letter with your moving date and including your new address.
Post Office
The easiest way to inform people across the board is to update your address with the post office which you can do in-person, through an official postcard, or their website which requests a dollar fee. Your mail will be forwarded for up to a year after your moving date; magazine and newspaper subscriptions, and up to 60 days.
Utilities
In order to start your services in your new home and/or disconnect services in your old, apprise the following utility companies of your new address: electric, gas, water, telephone, cable, and Internet. If you don’t let them know you’re leaving, you may end up paying for extra days.
Insurance
Update your car, health, life, and homeowner’s insurance policies with your new address. For car and homeowner’s policies, adjustments may necessary for your coverage and prices regarding your new municipality.
Car
Depending on the state where you live, Zillow says you have about 10 to 30 days after you move to update your driver’s license and registration.
Social Security/IRS
Contact Social Security and the IRS about your address change. IRS updates can be made via their website.
Banks/Financial Institutions/Credit Cards
Contact banks where you have accounts, and financial institutions where you have loans and/or investments with your updated address. Also, inform your credit card companies.
Doctors/Prescriptions
Contact doctors and dentists with your new address, so that you’ll receive reminders for medical matters. Don’t forget to tell your pet doctor! Go to your pharmacy and let them know the address change.
Schools/Alumni Associations
Your children’s schools should be notified, so their school records can be forwarded to the correct place. Contact your alumni associations, too.
Subscriptions/Memberships/Clubs
Update your magazine and newspaper subscriptions and any clubs or organizations including religious centers, libraries, video subscription services to which you belong, and any charities you support. You’ll also need to update your voter registration.
Professionals, You Hire
Any professional you use on a consistent basis like accountants, financial advisors, lawyers, mechanics, plumbers, electricians, exterminators, handymen, and beauticians should be notified of your move and new address if you plan to continue using them.
Tips on Changing Your Address
Before sending out your new address, ensure you’re offering the correct mailing address if it differs from the street one. Use postcards, mass e-mails, and group text messages to inform people of the change. Avoid posting it on social media unless it’s via private messages. If you discover that some companies haven’t updated your address contact them immediately.