Change of Address Checklist: Who to Notify When You Move
Everyone who needs your new address, in the right order.
Forgetting one account isn’t a disaster. Forgetting ten of them is a six-month headache of forwarded mail, missed bills, and identity-theft risk. Use this list two to four weeks before the move and check things off as you go.
Start with USPS (Two Weeks Out)
The single most important step. USPS Change of Address tells the post office to forward first-class mail to your new home for 12 months. This buys you time to update every account before mail starts going to the old address.
Go to moversguide.usps.com. Online filing costs a small identity-verification fee. You can also file in person at any post office for free.
USPS forwarding has limits. Magazines forward for 60 days, packages and standard mail may not forward at all. Treat USPS as a safety net, not a substitute for updating accounts directly.
Government and Legal (Two to Four Weeks Out)
- ✓ USPS change of address form
- ✓ PennDOT driver’s license and vehicle registration (within 15 days of moving in PA)
- ✓ Voter registration at vote.pa.gov
- ✓ IRS Form 8822 if you’ve moved between states
- ✓ Social Security Administration if you receive benefits
- ✓ Veterans Affairs if applicable
- ✓ Selective Service if applicable
Financial Accounts (Two Weeks Out)
- ✓ Banks and credit unions
- ✓ Every credit card
- ✓ Investment and retirement accounts (401k, IRA, brokerage)
- ✓ Loan servicers (mortgage, auto, student)
- ✓ PayPal, Venmo, Cash App
- ✓ Tax preparer or accountant
Insurance (Two Weeks Out)
- ✓ Health insurance (and Medicare if applicable)
- ✓ Auto insurance (rates change by ZIP code)
- ✓ Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance
- ✓ Life insurance
- ✓ Pet insurance
Utilities (Two Weeks Out)
Schedule shutoff at the old home for the day after the move, and turn-on at the new home for the day before. Here’s the LiteMovers utility playbook for the Greater Philadelphia region.
- ✓ Electric — PECO or your local provider
- ✓ Gas — PECO Gas or PGW (Philadelphia city)
- ✓ Water and sewer — Aqua, Philadelphia Water Department, or municipal authority
- ✓ Trash and recycling — check township rules
- ✓ Internet and cable — Xfinity, Verizon Fios, or Astound
- ✓ Home security — transfer or cancel
When to Schedule Internet Installation
Internet installation is the appointment most people underestimate. Major providers in the Philly region typically need two to four weeks of lead time for new installations in occupied homes. Self-install kits are faster but require existing wiring.
Schedule the install for the morning of move-in day or earlier if you’re working from home. If you wait until after closing, you may end up without service for a week or more.
Subscriptions and Services (One Week Out)
- ✓ Amazon (default shipping address)
- ✓ Streaming services tied to billing address
- ✓ Magazines and newspaper subscriptions
- ✓ Meal kits and grocery delivery (HelloFresh, Misfits, Instacart)
- ✓ Subscription boxes
- ✓ Gym membership (transfer or cancel)
Medical, Personal, and Misc (One Week Out)
- ✓ Primary care doctor, dentist, eye doctor
- ✓ Pharmacy (request prescription transfer)
- ✓ Veterinarian (request pet records transfer)
- ✓ Schools (request transcript transfer)
- ✓ Employer HR
- ✓ Attorney, financial advisor
- ✓ Family, friends, and your holiday card list
Services to Cancel Before Moving
Not every account moves with you. Cancel these to avoid double-paying:
- ✗ Lawn care, snow removal, pool service
- ✗ House cleaning service
- ✗ Local gym (if moving out of area)
- ✗ Newspaper delivery
- ✗ Any local subscription that doesn’t follow you
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I notify when I change my address?
Start with USPS, then update PennDOT, voter registration, banks, credit cards, insurance policies, utilities, internet, subscriptions, your employer’s HR, doctors, pharmacy, and schools. The IRS only needs notification if you’ve moved between states or want your refund mailed to the new address. Aim to notify everyone within two to four weeks of moving in. USPS forwarding lasts 12 months and serves as a safety net for accounts you forget.
How do I change my address with USPS?
Go to moversguide.usps.com and complete the online form. There is a small identity-verification fee. You can also visit any post office and fill out PS Form 3575 for free. Standard forwarding lasts 12 months for first-class mail and 60 days for magazines. You can choose to forward all mail or just your personal mail if other people will keep living at the old address. Submit the form one to two weeks before your move date.
When should I schedule internet installation before moving?
Schedule internet installation two to four weeks before your move-in date, especially if the new home has never had service from your chosen provider. New installations often require a technician visit, and appointment slots fill up. If you work from home, request the earliest available slot on move-in day. Self-install kits ship faster but require existing wiring. Bundled cable and internet may take longer to set up than standalone internet.
What services should I cancel before moving?
Cancel local services that won’t transfer: lawn care, pool service, snow removal, house cleaning, any local gym, newspaper delivery, and any subscription tied to a specific local area. Confirm cancellation dates in writing to avoid being billed after you’ve moved. For utility accounts at the old home, schedule final shutoff for the day after your move, not the day of, in case the move runs long. Keep proof of all cancellations for at least 90 days.
What accounts need my new address after I move?
Every account that mails you something or could mail you something needs your new address. Critical: banks, credit cards, insurance, employer, IRS (if interstate), PennDOT, voter registration, and Social Security. Important: investment accounts, loan servicers, doctors, pharmacy, schools, and any subscription with billing tied to address. Convenience: Amazon, streaming services, magazines, and personal contacts. USPS forwarding catches most things you forget for the first year.
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