Moving to a home is a big deal. And it is not only about packing boxes and hiring a truck. Moving to a home means you have to update your address with the right organizations and agencies. If you forget to update your address with some of these organizations and agencies you might not get your mail on time. You might even miss bills. Have some legal problems.
This guide tells you what you need to change and how you should decide which updates are most important.
How to Organize Your Address Updates
Step 1: You should make a master list two weeks before you move to your new place. This master list is like a plan that has everything you need to do before you move. Go through your email, bank statements, insurance papers and mail from the last three months. Put these things into groups like this: government, financial, insurance, utilities, and subscriptions. This way you can see all the organizations that have your address.
Step 2: File your USPS change of address. You should submit this information at one week before you move to a new place. Go to the website USPS.com. Fill out the form that is online. You will need to have a credit card or a debit card because there is a fee for verifying your identity. The address that is on your bill for the credit card or debit card has to be the same, as either the address where you live now or the address where you will be living.
Step 3: Update government records within required timeframes. Start with your drivers license. The state of New York wants you to make updates within 10 days of moving to your home. On the hand Florida and South Carolina give you a whole 30 days to get that done. Texas also gives you 30 days. The good thing is you can usually change your address online, which makes things a lot easier.
Step 4: Notify financial institutions immediately. You need to log into each of your bank accounts one by one. This is because updates do not always sync across cards from the same issuer. So log into each of your accounts to stay on top of things.
Step 5: You should get in touch with your insurance providers before you make that move. This is because moving to a ZIP code can really change how much you pay for your auto insurance. If you are moving to a city or a busy town your auto insurance might cost more.
Step 6: Update employment and payroll records. You should tell your Human Resources department that you are moving least two weeks before you actually move. If you are moving to a state your employer needs some time to change the amount of taxes that are taken out of your paycheck, for payroll tax.
Step 7: Change utility and service provider addresses. Schedule disconnection at your old home and connection at your new one. Most utility companies ask for at least two weeks’ notice. Internet installations can take several days or even weeks depending on the provider and location.
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Government Agencies That Need Your New Address
The United States Postal Service will forward your mail for one year after you tell them you are moving. You can do this on the internet. You can call them at 1-800-ASK-USPS or you can go to any post office in person. If you do it on the internet the United States Postal Service needs to make sure you are who you say you are so they will ask for your phone number and they will charge your credit card a little bit of money.
You need to update your drivers license and vehicle registration. This is something that the state requires you to do. In Nevada you have to tell them about the changes, within 30 days. Indiana has a time limit of 30 days. In Indiana you also have to go in person to an office. When you go, you have to bring two documents that prove you live in Indiana. These documents have to be approved by the state. The drivers license and vehicle registration updates are very important. You have to do this in Nevada and Indiana to follow the state law.
Failing to update can result in fines.
When you move to a state, you have to get a new license and register your vehicle all over again. You also need to update your voter registration, so you can vote in federal elections. To do this you can update your address through your new state election office or you can use Vote.gov to do it.
Financial Institutions and Credit
You should let your bank and your credit union know soon as you have a date for your move.
Most banks and credit unions let you change your address on their website when you log in to your account or you can do it on their app. The credit card companies need to make some changes so they can send you credit cards and statements.
Your investment and your retirement funds need to be updated separately. If you do not do this it can cause a delay in getting your tax documents like your 1099 forms, from the credit card companies and the investment companies.
Credit Bureaus
The three major credit bureaus will eventually update your address based on creditor reports. You can speed this up by updating directly with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Insurance Policies You Need to Update
Here are some insurance policies you need to update:
- Home insurance policies
- Car insurance policies
- Life insurance policies
The cost of auto insurance is affected by the place you live and the place you park your car. A lot of states want to see proof that you have insurance when you register your vehicle. This proof has to show your current address. This means auto insurance rates are tied to your location and auto insurance rates can vary depending on where you live and where your car is parked.
Health insurance is really important if you have a plan that works with doctors and hospitals. The plans you buy through the Affordable Care Act on Healthcare.gov. If you move to a county or state you will probably have to sign up for a new plan. This is because your old health insurance plan may not work in your location.
Employers and Payroll
You need to tell your Human Resources department when you move, especially if you are moving to a state. This cause changes in the amount of taxes that are taken out of your paycheck for payroll tax.
If your company has things like health insurance or a 401(k) plan, you should make sure your address is correct in all of these systems. People who work from home and move to a state should check how the move affects their employment status with their company that offers mentioned benefits.
Less Obvious Updates That Matter
Some address changes aren’t immediately obvious:
- Pet registrations and microchip registries (critical for recovering lost animals)
- Your own professional licenses and certifications
- The alumni associations and the charitable organizations that you support
- Loyalty programs for airlines, hotels, and retailers
- Gym memberships and contracts
- Student loan servicers (federal and private)
What Happens If You Don’t Update
If you do not update your address you will face consequences. These consequences range from a minor problem to legal trouble. For example if you miss a bill because it was sent to your address it can hurt your credit. Failing to update your drivers license can also get you in trouble. You will have to pay fines.
Not updating voter registration means you might not be able to vote in local elections that directly affect your new community. In some cases, not updating your address can void insurance policies or delay claims.
Conclusion
The stress that comes with moving is something no one is willing to experience, but as we grow, moving is inevitable. To reduce stress in your next move, make a change of address checklist using the list above and see yourself loving every moment of it. Contact A Plus Moving Group at (800) 919-6332 to get the best full-service moving in town! We are ready to help you with local moving and long distance moving anytime!
