Moving to a new home is exciting — a new neighbourhood, new opportunities, and a fresh start. But amidst all the packing, shifting, and organising, one essential task tends to get overlooked: updating your address everywhere it matters. Whether it’s for legal, financial or convenience reasons, failing to change your address properly can lead to missed bills, lost mail, or worse.
At Interem Relocations, we believe a smooth move isn’t just about transporting your boxes; it’s about helping you settle in with peace of mind. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive change of address checklist (over 50 places!) so you can focus on what really matters.
Why Updating Your Address Matters
- Prevent lost or delayed mail (bills, important notifications)
- Keep legal & financial documents current to avoid fines or service interruptions
- Ensure subscriptions, deliveries, insurance, utilities, etc., continue smoothly
- Avoid identity mix-ups or fraud from old address data still being used.
How to Use This Checklist
- Start early, as soon as you know your move date.
- Organise by category: Government, Utilities, Financial, Personal & Digital, etc.
- Set reminders, spread tasks over weeks rather than trying to do everything last-minute.
- Use this list as your master guide, ticking off as you go.
The Big List: 50+ Places to Update Your Address After Moving
Below are places/groups to notify or update your address with. Some may not apply, depending on your situation (e.g. you may not have a car, or certain subscriptions, etc.), so pick what’s relevant.
| Category | Who / What | Why It’s Important |
| Government & Legal Records | Local municipal office/property tax authority | To ensure legal notices, property tax bills, permits etc., go to your current address |
| Passport / Immigration departments | For identity, visas, etc. | |
| Voter registration | So you’re assigned the correct polling station and voting materials | |
| Driver’s licence / Vehicle registration | Keeping your license valid and insurance accurate | |
| National ID card (if applicable) | For identity proof, government benefits | |
| Social Security / Pension / Welfare agencies | To continue benefits, avoid mis-sent correspondence | |
| Tax authorities (income, sales, etc.) | To ensure tax returns and notices arrive correctly | |
| Courts / legal notices / outstanding tickets | To avoid missing deadlines or fines | |
| Financial & Insurance | Banks / Credit Unions / Savings accounts | Statements, cards, etc., must arrive correctly |
| Credit card companies | Statements, replaced cards, fraud alerts, etc. | |
| Loan issuers (home / personal / student) | To avoid missing important payments/communications | |
| Mortgage or rent payments/landlord | For billing, legal paperwork, etc. | |
| Insurance providers – health, home, auto, life | Premiums, policies, claims correspondence | |
| Utilities & Services | Electricity, Gas, Water | Essential for your new home to function properly |
| Garbage / Sewage / Waste management | For pickup schedules, billing, etc. | |
| Internet, Cable, Phone (landline) | To avoid service gaps or mis-delivered bills | |
| Mobile phone provider / SIM registration | So you can get messages, bills etc., without issue | |
| TV/streaming service provider | Payment reminders, content restrictions, etc. | |
| Subscriptions & Memberships | Magazines, Newspapers | To keep receiving your editions without interruption |
| Subscription boxes (food, personal care, etc.) | So deliveries go to the right place | |
| Gym/sports club memberships | For membership benefits, bills, etc. | |
| Libraries, clubs, and hobby organisations | For notices, renewals, etc. | |
| Online shopping accounts / frequent delivery services | To avoid mis-delivered parcels | |
| Employer / Education | Your employer – HR/payroll | Payslips, tax forms, etc., must go to the new address |
| Schools / Daycare / Universities | Reports, fee notices, etc. | |
| Health & Personal Care | Doctors, Dentists, Specialists | Appointment reminders, prescriptions, etc. |
| Pharmacy | To avoid delays in medicine deliveries | |
| Veterinarian (if you have pets) | Records, reminders, etc. | |
| Digital & Apps | Email accounts (if the address is used for security or recovery) | To ensure you receive verification/recovery messages |
| Map/navigation apps (Google Maps, Apple Maps, etc.) | So services that use “home address” work properly | |
| Delivery apps (e.g., food, groceries) | So orders go to the new address | |
| Ride-sharing apps | Payment methods, billing, pickup points, etc. | |
| Smart home accounts / connected devices | For service notifications, etc. | |
| Others | Friends & family | So people know where to send invites, holiday cards, etc. |
| Old and new neighbours | For mail forwarding, keys, etc. | |
| Gift registry / online wish lists | If people are sending things to the old address | |
| Pet microchip company/registrations | If contact details are needed in emergencies | |
| Business associates / Clients | If you use a business address or have clients sending mail, etc. | |
| Clubs, religious institutions | Membership notices, event invites, etc. |
Timeline: When To Do What
To avoid being overwhelmed, here’s a suggested timeline to spread out the tasks:
- 2 months before moving:
Start updating large legal & financial records: government records, passport/visa, employer, and schools. Begin informing institutions that need more turnaround time. - 1 month before moving:
Utilities, Internet, phone, insurance providers; subscriptions with fixed schedules. - 2 weeks before:
Update online accounts, delivery apps, and map apps; send address change notices to friends/family, etc. Confirm that mail forwarding (if applicable) is set up. - On moving day / within the first week:
Check that utilities are working; ensure all urgent correspondence is being properly redirected or updated. - After the move (within 30 days):
Final checks: make sure you haven’t missed anything. Some government or financial institutions might take longer to process changes; follow up if needed.
Address Change Tips & Common Pitfalls
- Don’t assume a single form covers everything. Just because you filed a change-of-address with your postal service doesn’t mean your bank, insurance, or government records are updated. Many need separate requests. (This is a very common oversight.)
- Keep proof. Save receipts, confirmation emails, and documentation of address changes. These can help in case of disputes or errors.
- Check billing cycles. If your utility or subscription bills are generated on certain dates, change your address before the next billing cycle to avoid confusion.
- Don’t forget digital footprints. Some accounts you might rarely use (e.g. old e-commerce sites, loyalty programs) may still have old address records. When you need something, you’ll want the address to be right.
- Use reminders. Set calendar reminders or use a checklist app to track who you have notified.
Interem Relocations’ Checklist – Our Promise to You
At Interem Relocations, we go beyond just physically moving your belongings. As part of our service, we help you with logistics guidance like this, ensuring your move is hassle-free from start to finish. If you’re working with us, we can also provide you with a customised address change checklist tailored to your destination, whether local or overseas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How long does a postal change of address last or work?
A: It depends on your country. In many places, postal services offer forwarding for a limited period (e.g. 6-12 months). Check with your local post office. After that, the mail may return to the sender or get lost.
Q: What documents do I need when changing government IDs?
A: Usually proof of new address (utility bill, lease agreement, etc.), old ID, passport, etc. Requirements vary depending on the issuing authority.
Q: Can I update my address online?
A: In many cases, yes, banks, insurance, government portals, subscriptions, etc. But some changes (like a driver’s license or national ID) may require visiting a local office.
Q: What if I move to a different city or country?
A: That adds complexity. Check for things like residency rules, cross-border registrations, international mail forwarding, different utility providers, etc. Some services may not carry over. Interem Relocations can help you with those international move details.
Final Thoughts
Changing your address is one of those small tasks with big consequences. Getting it right means you avoid unnecessary stress, missed deadlines, lost documents or bills. Use this change of address checklist to cover all bases: government & legal, financial, subscriptions, personal, and digital.
At Interem Relocations, we don’t just move your belongings — we move your life forward, stress-free. Whether you’re relocating across town or across borders, our expertise ensures a seamless transition. Connect with us today and make your next move the easiest one yet.