Moving can put a lot of stress on any individual, especially if you're moving to another state or country. From hiring a moving company to simultaneously preparing your new home for you and your loved ones, it can be difficult to remember to notify your change of address to important organisations. Yet, without remembering this, your move can create all sorts of unforeseen issues. You may even find you've become behind on very important bills just because you forgot to change your mailing address!
How, then, can you remember to get everything up to date and ensure that your change of address and keep various organisations up to date on where you live? It almost feels like you need a moving house checklist to keep you together! Don't worry too much, though, the change of address checklist and changing your mailing address tips below should help you stay organised and less-stressed (and it may save your credit rating)!
The Change of Address Checklist
✔ Utilities
Utilities are an essential of our lives, and it is definitely something important to remember when sending out when its time to notify change of address to the organizations that provide utilities
You'll want to remember to send one out to the companies that maintain your electricity, gas, internet (you know you need that Netflix), water, telephone and/or mobile networks, cable, rubbish and recycling (if you do that), sewage, and additional services like housecleaning or scheduled property/yard-work services.
✔ Financial
This is a very important one to remember to notify that you intend to change mailing address after you've completed your move. A moving house change of address notification should be sent to the following organizations immediately, especially if you want to keep up on those bills and have somewhere aware of the fact that you need to change mailing address.
First, you'll want to notify your bank, or send them the form, that will allow for them to recognise that you are moving to a new address (inform them of your new address). This way, you’ll receive your statements and other important information. This info is definitely something you don't want getting into the wrong hands! Next, you'll want to notify your credit card companies about the switch, from your major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard etc.) to your department store credit cards. This is also important, as credit cards can provide opportunity for those who like to try to steal identities - and you don't want to chance someone like that getting into your mail! Some other pretty important financial institutions to keep in mind when you are sending out your form are loan institutions, insurance agencies (you also might want to make sure your current plan will move with you), pension plans, reward programs, consultants, licensing boards, professional memberships, etc. Basically anything you may have that could go under a "Financial" category should be notified of a change of address.
✔ Public Offices (Government)
You'll want to make sure that your government wide offices know that you are moving house and changing your address. This will be especially important for your Post Office, as they will be able to redirect any mail that is sent to your old address to your new address if you fill out the right form. Also, make sure you let your vehicle registration, tax offices, affairs offices, retirement offices, and any identification offices know that you have moved and will be changing your address as well. This is especially important if you intend to move to a different state or country, as these offices will likely need to transfer your identification over to another office of similar stature (or one of your choosing if you’re able to choose).
✔ Taking Care of Yourself
Now that you've gotten the hard parts over and done with, its time to remember yourself and the family. If you have children, you'll need to begin looking to register them to a new school. This may have been something you were considering when choosing your new home, and now you're that much closer to accomplishing your goals! You'll also want to find some new dentists and doctors for the family. Keeping healthy is important, and choosing the right professionals to do that is always the start to a happy and healthy lifestyle.
Change Your Mailing Address
Now that you've gone over the specifications of your change of address checklist, it’ s time to look at specifications on how to change your mailing address. After all that you've gone through in the moving process, this part should be easy! The post office has a redirect service where you can simply go to their website and fill out a form as per their specifications. Another option may be to go to your local Post Office and request a form (or a Mover's Guide if they don't have forms available.
The Checklist in Summary
✔ Utilities
✔ Finances
✔ Public Offices
✔ Yourself
Pro-tip: Remember that it may be best to get this checklist over with before you move.
