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Moving is a big life decision, and also a very stressful one. It’s easy to forget things when you’re in the middle of planning, packing, and moving. However, having a solid checklist will help you stay organized and on top of your moving game.
To help you create a proper change of address checklist, we’ve put together this guide which includes 7 points that should be part of your pre-move organization process.
7 Must-Haves in Your Change of Address Checklist
1. Inform Insurance Providers
One of the first things in your change of address checklist is to inform all your insurance providers, including agents, brokers, and other third parties. Your new address is an essential piece of information that will allow them to provide the best service possible. Additionally, if you’re moving to a different state, you may need to change your insurance provider because they don’t offer coverage in your new area or their rates are not good enough.
If the move is just across town, call your current provider and see if they can offer a comparable rate at the new address.
2. Notify Financial Institutions
If you want to continue receiving your statements, it’s essential that you notify them about your new address as soon as possible, so they can start sending the mail to the right place.
Let your bank know about the move as soon as possible — you don’t want them to lock your cards for suspicious out-of-state activity when you get there. You should also contact any investment companies or brokerages that manage your portfolio.
These organizations generally require a current mailing address to send bills and statements securely; if it’s not correct, they will freeze your account until you provide the information or verify through other channels that it’s you accessing the account.
3. Transfer the Utilities
Before moving out, make sure that you have arranged for both the disconnection of current utilities and the transfer of new services. This includes electricity, gas, water and internet services. You will need to connect to new utility companies at your new address, so it is best to schedule this ahead of time. Every utility provider may have different procedures to initiate the transfer. So make sure to check ahead about it.
When arranging for the transfer, ask if there are any service fees or deposits required. Make sure to inquire what your new monthly rate will be as well.
If your utility provider isn’t available in the new location, you’ll need to discontinue the service and schedule an appointment with your new provider to have everything ready when you move.
4. Communicate to the Post Office for Mail Forwarding
Once you know your exact move-out date, contact the post office and set up mail forwarding at least two weeks in advance. This will ensure that all mail continues to reach you even after the move.
5. Update Your Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration Documents
Many people forget about their driver’s license when they move, but it’s usually the first thing you need to be updated after you relocate. You don’t want to get into a car accident in your new town and have a cop show up and realize you never changed your address on your license.
6. Inform Healthcare Practitioners
If you’re moving interstate, you may need to find a new general practitioner and specialists to serve your needs. Talk to your existing doctors and see if they have any referrals or recommendations.
Your new primary doctor or dentist may need to access old medical records for better treatment, so make sure to get those documents ready.
If you have any pets in the house, you need to find a new vet closer to your location.
7. Update Address for Your Magazine Subscriptions
You should put all of the magazine subscriptions on hold while you’re moving so that nothing arrives at your old house while you’re gone. Once everything is settled in your new house, update these subscriptions so that everything comes to the right place.
Wrapping Up
When you’re moving and need to change your address, you want to do it right. This rundown of the things on your change of address checklist should help you cover the basics and inform the right people about your move.