A step-by-step guide to changing your address when you move
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With seemingly endless tasks to complete when you move, one should rise up your priority list: changing your mailing address. Even a brief delay in a change of address can result in important pieces of mail missing you or one of your family members. Disappearing mail can lead to frustration and even fines should you miss a piece of communication from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Beyond that, not alerting subscription services means that groceries and other critical deliveries may not make it to the correct home.
Here are some helpful tips and tricks for changing your mailing address when you move and a reminder of all the places you should be sure to alert.
How to change your address when you move
Unfortunately, there’s no one-stop shop to change your mailing address. All the most important parties need to be alerted individually, and each will have its own set of rules for how quickly it can adjust your address to get future pieces of mail to you on time. Here are two important organizations to notify:
File an address change with USPS
“Submitting a change of address with the Postal Service is voluntary,” said Rod Spurgeon, a strategic communications specialist for the United States Postal Service (USPS). However, you won’t receive your mail if you don’t make your change.
You can change your address with USPS online or in person.
To change your address online:
Visit the official change of address website of the U.S. Postal Service.
You’ll be prompted to fill out information about your identity, your current address and your new address. You’ll also fill in the date you want to receive mail at your new address.
You’ll be charged a $1.10 identity verification fee, so have a credit card handy.
To change your address in person:
Show up prepared with a photo ID and a second form of identification, such as a utility bill or credit card statement.
Request a free Mover’s Guide packet.
Inside the packet is a PS Form 3575. Fill it out.
The associate at the counter will use your ID to verify your identity and then process your request.
The Postal Service takes seven to 10 days to deliver mail to the new address. However, Spurgeon said, people can submit a change-of-address request up to 90 days before the effective date to prepare for a move. They can also submit one up to 30 days after a move.
The USPS offers permanent and temporary options for an address change. If you plan to move back to the original address in less than six months, you can set a date to send mail back to the original address. You must be in the temporary location for a minimum of two weeks. You can extend it for up to 12 months at the end of your six-month forwarding period.
Update your address at the DMV
Changing your address with the post office will not alert or trigger any official changes at your local DMV. Changing the address on your driver’s license or ID is required everywhere, but it varies by state and how long you have to make the change.
For example, New Jersey, Indiana and other states allow 60 days for an out-of-state citizen to change a driver’s license. Some states, like New York, give only 30 days. Research your new destination so you don’t exceed the required grace period.
While making changes to driver’s information varies from state to state, here are some basic guidelines for changing your mailing address at the DMV:
See if your state’s DMV will let you change your address online.
If your DMV doesn’t allow an online change, call to find out what documentation you need to change it in person.
You may need to bring up to six points of identification, such as a passport, an existing license or IRS Form W-2. Your area DMV should list acceptable IDs on its website.
Bring proof of residency, such as a utility bill or a copy of your lease.
If the state’s DMV has a specific application for a new license, print it and fill it out.
Bring a payment method, a check, credit card, debit card or money order.
Where else will I need to update my address?
Here are some other vital organizations that will need your updated address information.
Banks and financial institutions
Many banks and financial institutions offer a variety of ways to change your address:
Most banks have online banking, often the quickest and easiest way to change your address. Logging in and updating your information in the profile setting is typically all you need to do.
You can also call customer support at your bank to see if it can change your address over the phone. (Chances are, the answer is no.)
If your bank has physical locations, you can call and schedule an appointment to do it in person. Bring your driver’s license and, if possible, a second form of ID to the meeting.
You can also try a pop-in visit to a bank location. Banks usually have one or two managers at a location to handle walk-in traffic. Take a seat in the lobby or talk to a teller about getting one-on-one help from a manager.
Billing addresses
Changing your billing address can seem daunting because of the many bills you likely pay monthly. Between subscriptions like Netflix, insurance payments and any other automatic payments you may make, there may be a lot of billing addresses to change. If it seems overwhelming:
Go through your credit and debit card statements to see monthly recurring payments. You can gather paper bills for the same purpose if you still receive paper billing.
Create a list of all the people and institutions you send money to monthly.
If you own rental or investment property, contact the county property appraiser in that area and ask how best to update your address on record.
See if you can handle these online or through the institution’s app if you already have it.
If you need help, call the institution and ask customer service to help you to change your billing address.
Wait times for the address to change will vary, but giving yourself seven to 10 days is a wise idea to ensure ample time. One more thing to be aware of regarding billing: If you pay at least some of your bills with checks, request new checks with your updated address.
Employer
If you’re switching jobs during your move:
Alert your old and new employer of your address change at least two weeks in advance (or as soon as possible).
Reach out to Human Resources at both companies so that they will send all the pertinent tax files and information to your new address in future months.
Even if you’re staying with the same employer, HR will need the updated address for tax purposes, especially if it’s out of state.
Friends and family
While the people you see most often may be aware of your changing address, a streamlined approach can ensure everyone is aware.
Consider emailing or texting everyone you want to have your new address.
You can post an announcement on social media and ask people to contact you for your new location. Do not post your new address on your social media accounts.
For a more formal approach, resources like Shutterfly make sending a moving update you design easy. If you provide access to your address book, you can reach everyone without going to the post office.
Health insurance
When moving, alert your provider of a change of address even if you aren’t changing providers. This may be possible through your online portal or by calling the customer service phone number. Be aware that the state regulates individual market coverage, so if you are moving states, you may need an entirely new plan.
If you have insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you need to report a change of address to the Marketplace. The government may alert you to pick a new health plan.
The government provides directions both within a state and moving out of state. If moving out of state, the ACA requires you to start a new marketplace application to enroll for coverage in your new state.
Internal Revenue Service
The IRS provides a few different methods of alerting a change of address:
If you change your address before filing a return, entering the new address when filing will update its records.
You can fill out either Form 8822, Change of Address or Form 8822-b, Change of Address or Responsible Party. Send completed forms to the specific addresses provided on the form.
You can, in writing, provide your full name, old and new address, social security, individual taxpayer identification or employer identification number. You will need to sign the letter.
You can also call the IRS and provide your full name, old and new address, social security, individual taxpayer identification or employer identification number. You can expect a long wait time if you call during the heavy tax season (between January 2 and April 15).
The IRS can take four to six weeks to process the request, and the IRS will likely also warn of potential delays.
Social Security Administration
Anyone claiming Social Security benefits or anyone enrolled in Medicare can change their address through your personal Social Security account by accessing the My Profile tab. This online function also enables users to choose when the change will happen. No change of address is necessary for people who don’t receive these benefits.
For people who don’t have online access, you can change your address by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can also go in person to your local Social Security Office.
Subscription services
Most major online subscription services, like Netflix, will enable you to simply:
Login
Click a settings/my account section
Feature a change of address feature
Should the service not have this online, call customer support to ask what can be done.
For home delivery services, you will follow a similar format, clicking an edit icon to be able to adjust your location in your profile. If you are still receiving magazines or other print subscriptions, alert these companies of your change by calling or logging in online. Also, consider this to be a chance to go paperless.
If you rely on subscription services for groceries or other essentials (think razors), see if you can change your address online or reach out to their customer support through phone or email to ensure you have your essentials in your new home.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
If you must change your address for citizenship and immigration services:
The government recommends changing your address through the USCIS Online Account because it will provide close to real-time processing. You can create an account if you don’t already have one.
You can also fill out Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card, unless you fall into one of the following categories: Victims of domestic abuse, trafficking and other crimes, U.S. citizens civil surgeon, attorneys of record/registered representatives.
Utility companies
If you’re moving within the same state and won’t have to change your utility provider, still reach out ahead of time (two to four weeks) before the move.
Call or check the company’s website and follow the instructions for changing your address. If you already have an online account, you may be able to switch this service from one location to another (this is the case with PSEG, for example).
If you’re moving out of state or switching utility companies, allow yourself more time. Find out who the providers are where you’re moving and contact them via phone or email to inquire about starting service.
Utility covers a range of services. The most common include:
Cable
Electricity
Gas
Home security
Internet
Sewage
Telephone
Trash
Water
For any others you use that aren’t on this list, look at paper bills or your credit/debit card statements and alert both your current and new providers of the address change. While some of these may be able to be performed over the internet or through a phone call, give yourself ample time and reach out in the unlikely case that your provider needs to see you in person.
Voter registration
Voter registration must be updated if you’ve moved, and it is also specific to the state, so you will have to register in your new state if you moved out of state. To change your address for your voter registration, you can fill out the National Mail Voter Registration Form. Excluding North Dakota, every state requires registration before voting in an election. You can use Vote.gov for further state-specific information.
When should I file a change of address request?
The sooner you know your new address and can provide that information to all the proper channels, the better. For certain institutions like the IRS, telling them as soon as possible will be your best bet as it can take longer for them to process. If you want mail at your new address when you arrive, allow for about two weeks before the move to tell the USPS.
How long does a change of address take?
How long it takes to process a change of address depends on the entity you’re updating it with. For example, some banks can change it instantly, while the IRS says it can take four to six weeks to process an address change. Unfortunately, few businesses or agencies note how to speed up their processes. Call customer service to see if someone can flag your change as important if you have an urgent request.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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