How To Change Address When Moving

The only thing constant in life is change, right? And for many of us, that change often comes in the form of moving to a new home. 

But there's one thing people often overlook during a move: updating your address everywhere.

In fact, studies show that nearly 35% of people forget to change their address with at least one important service after moving.

This means a chunk of their mail, bills, or even packages can get lost or delayed.

So, how to change address when moving?

It's more than just filling out a quick form at the post office.

When moving, there's a whole change of address checklist that involves notifying everyone, from your bank to the DMV and even your healthcare providers.

Did you know that if you don’t update your address with your bank or credit card companies, it could lead to missed payments and late fees?

Trust us, it’s easy to overlook, but it’s crucial to get this right.

When you move, you're not just packing boxes—you're making sure your life runs smoothly from day one.

That's why in this guide, we'll give you a moving checklist and show you exactly how to update your address step by step.

Why Updating Your Address is So Important

Let’s quickly talk about why this is so important.

Missing just one update can cause issues.

Imagine missing a credit card bill because it got sent to the wrong address or, worse, important tax information that never reaches you.

That’s why it is important to update your address to avoid identity theft, prevent mail mix-ups, and make sure you stay connected with all your services.

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Step 1: Start With the USPS – Forwarding Your Mail

First, you need to take care of your mail.

You don’t want to miss anything important, right?

So, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is your best friend here.

USPS Address Change: Visit the USPS website and fill out their change of address form. You can do this either online or in person at the post office. It’s super easy, and they’ll start forwarding your mail to your new address right away.

Note: Don’t forget that there's a small fee for doing it online, but it’s worth it to avoid headaches later.

Change Address Online: The process is simple – you'll need to input your old address and new address and when you want the mail to start forwarding. Make sure you give them at least a week before you move so they have time to process everything.

USPS Address Change for Packages: If you shop a lot online, update your address for packages with the USPS, too. This way, any package delivery won't get messed up when your old address is still on file.

Step 2: Update Your Address with Financial Institutions

Your financial info is important, so let’s make sure everything’s up to date:

Notify Bank of Address Change: Head to your bank or credit union’s website to update your address. This will make sure you receive your bank statements and any important communication.

If you have multiple accounts, don't forget to update all of them. You don’t want to miss a bill or a notice about your account.

Credit Cards: Same goes for your credit card companies. Log into your account, go to settings, and change your address. This will prevent any delayed payments or problems with your account that could affect your credit score.

Investment Accounts: If you have investment accounts, retirement plans, or any other financial assets, don’t forget to update your address with those as well.

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Step 3: Don't Forget About Government Agencies

The government needs to know about your move too.

And you don’t want to risk any issues with them down the road:

How to Update Address with USPS: As mentioned earlier, this is the first government agency to notify. Don’t miss out on this essential service.

How to Update Address with DMV: Next up is your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You need to change the address on your driver’s license and vehicle registration. This can often be done online, and it’s a quick update that saves you the hassle of missed tickets or legal notices.

Social Security Administration (SSA): If you receive Social Security benefits or you're applying for them, you need to update the SSA about your move.

IRS: Speaking of taxes, if you don’t update your address with the IRS, you might not receive important tax information, including your refund! Use IRS Form 8822 to change your address.

Step 4: Insurance Companies Need to Know Too

Let’s talk insurance. After all, you want to be sure your coverage is intact, right?

Health Insurance: If you’re moving to a new state, your health insurance plan might need to be updated. Even if you’re staying in the same state, make sure they know your new address so you can continue to get your medical cards and updates without a hitch.

Auto Insurance: You'll also need to update your auto insurance. If you're moving to a new state, your rates and coverage could change, and you don't want to risk being uninsured.

Homeowners or Renters Insurance: If you're moving into a new home, make sure to update your homeowners or renters insurance so your new place is covered.

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Step 5: Utilities and Service Providers – Keep the Lights On

Now, let’s talk about your utilities and services.

No one wants to move into a place without water, heat, or internet, right?

So, make sure you take care of these:

Electricity, Gas, and Water: Call or go online to update your address with these providers. It’s usually a simple phone call or website update.

Internet, Cable, and Phone: These services also require an address change, especially for installation at your new home.

It's better to do this a couple of weeks before moving so everything is set up when you get there.

Step 6: Healthcare Providers – No Interruptions, Please

Your doctors, dentists, and pharmacies should also be updated.

If you have prescriptions or ongoing medical needs, this is especially important:

Healthcare Providers: Call your healthcare providers and update your address so they can send appointment reminders, test results, and prescriptions to the correct place.

Also, if you need to find new doctors in your new location, start researching early on.

Step 7: Subscription Services – Keep Getting What You Paid For

You might have subscriptions to magazines, meal kits, or even streaming services. Don't forget about those:

Whether it’s a magazine, subscription box, or any other regular delivery service, update your address. You don't want to miss out on your next delivery!

Step 8: Friends and Family – Let Them Know You're Settling In

Lastly, let your friends and family know where you’ve moved.

This might seem like a small thing, but it can prevent a lot of confusion:

You don’t want them sending you birthday cards or holiday presents to your old address. Make sure you send them a note or a message with your new place.

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How Much Does It Cost to Change Your Address When Moving?

So, how much does it actually cost to change your address when moving? This is a super important part of the process, and you probably don't want any surprises when you're handling all the paperwork.

USPS Address Change

So, the first step is always with the USPS, right?

This is where most people start, and it’s actually one of the most affordable steps in the process.

Cost: Changing your address through the USPS will cost you $1.10 if you do it online. If you choose to go into the post office and fill out the change of address form in person, it’s free!

Note: You'll get your mail forwarded to your new address for 12 months for regular mail and 60 days for periodicals (like magazines).

Change of Address with DMV

Alright, let's move on to the DMV! This one's a bit more involved, and the fees depend on your state.

Cost: The fee to change your address with the DMV ranges between $25 and $100

Credit Card and Bank Address Change

Fortunately, this is a free update for most people.

Cost: Updating your address with credit card companies and banks is typically free, especially if you do it online.

Health Insurance Update

Updating your address with health insurance providers is generally free, but some insurance companies might charge a small fee if you need to request a paper update or specific documents.

Fees: You could end up paying anywhere between $0 and $50, depending on the insurance company.

Utility Services Update

You don't want to move into your new home without water, electricity, or internet, so make sure to notify the service providers.

Cost: Updating your address with utility companies like electricity, water, and gas usually doesn’t have a fee for simply changing your address. However, there might be a small transfer fee if you’re transferring service to your new home (this ranges from $0 to $30 per service).

Online Subscriptions Update

Do you have subscriptions like streaming services, magazines, or monthly boxes? You'll need to notify them, too!

Changing your address with online subscriptions is usually free. 

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