Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Address When You Move

Moving to a new rental unit involves more than just packing your belongings, moving them to your new place, and unpacking. Moving also requires you to update your mailing and billing address with various parties, from your employer and government agencies, to your bank and your favorite places to shop online. Here’s your step-by-step guide to changing your address when you move to a new apartment.

8 Steps for changing your mailing address when you move

1. Update your mailing address with the postal service
2. Opt into mail forwarding
3. Complete voter registration
4. Get a new license or ID
5. Inform your financial institutions
6. Update subscription services and utility companies
7. Inform your employer
8. Inform your friends and family

Step 1. Update your mailing address with the postal service

The United States Postal Service makes it pretty easy to change your address, offering a few convenient ways to do so.

• Complete the online change-of-address form: Go to USPS.com, navigate to the Quick Tools tab at the top of the page, and click Change My Address. You’ll head to a page where you put in your current address and your new address, pick the official move date (which also serves as the date when they start to forward your mail to the new address) and pay a super-small fee (we’re talking a dollar and change) to complete the transaction.
• Call customer service: Call 1-800-ASK-USPS, and follow the prompts for a customer service agent who can help you change your address using the same information as above. This method also costs a dollar and change. 
• Fill out a physical form: You can also head to your local post office to fill out Form 3575, which collects much of the same information listed in the first step. In most cases, returning the form in person waives the fee.

With each option, you must choose whether your move is permanent, meaning you plan to live at the new address and not move back to the old address, or temporary, meaning you plan to move back to the old address within six months.

Step 2. Opt into mail forwarding for packages and magazines

Standard mail forwarding is for 12 months and includes First Class Mail, Priority Mail, and First Class Packages. It also includes magazine forwarding for 60 days. You can also request magazine forwarding and package forwarding for additional time, starting with a one-time $25 fee.

Step 3. Complete voter registration in your (new) district

You can also complete your voter registration simultaneously with your change of address with the postal service online. When you complete your change of address, you get the option also to change your address with your district or register in your new voting district. Within a few days, you’ll get an email notification to finalize your registration and confirm your voter registration, such as a new voter ID.

Note that if you move to a different state, you may need to cancel your voter registration in your previous state.

Step 4. Get a new license or ID

You have to get an updated license or state ID when you change your address. And this process varies from state to state. Depending on where you live and where you’re moving to, you may be able to complete this process completely online. For example, if you’re moving within the same city or state, you may not have to go to the department or bureau of motor vehicles. 

However, suppose you’re moving to a different state. In that case, you may be required to visit the department or bureau of motor vehicles in person, provide proof of residence, fill out forms, have your ID photo taken, and even re-register your vehicle. Some states even require that you retake the written portion of the state driver’s test.

Step 5. Inform your bank, insurance company, and other financial institutions

After changing your mailing address, be sure to update that information with the financial, medical, insurance, and other institutions, such as:

• Your bank or credit union
• Your credit card issuers
• Your loan issuer (such as for student loans)
• Your doctor, dentist, and any specialists you visit
• The companies from which you get health, renters, vehicle, and other insurance

Many of these organizations allow you to update your address and other personal contact information online. For example, you may access your contact information through your online profile and change the information there. You may be required to confirm the updates via email to ensure you are the one who initiated this change.

If you’re unsure of the best way to update your personal information with your institutions, call the customer service line to complete the task with a representative or get step-by-step instructions.

Step 6. Update your info with subscription services and utility companies

After changing your billing address for your various accounts and cards, it’s important to update the billing address for any sites with your card information stored. Doing so ensures that payments, like for subscriptions services or monthly auto-pay, come out on time. It also makes sure that any packages you order go to the right place.

Here are some places where you may need to update your billing and mailing address:

• Online retailers
• Digital wallets and money transfer apps
• Entertainment streaming services
• Food and grocery subscription services
• Other subscription services
• Your phone, cable, and internet company
• Your car and renters insurance company
• Your water, gas, and electric company

Step 7. Tell your employer, the IRS, and other relevant agencies

Be sure to contact human resources, your manager, or another company leader about your change of address. They may need you to fill out paperwork to update your address for their records and taxation purposes, as well as for your income tax purposes. Some employers may even have you fill out Form 8822 with the IRS.

If you receive payments from the government, you may also need to update your address with the Social Security Administration, veteran’s affairs, and other relevant government agencies that manage your funding.

Step 8. Send out moving notices to friends and family

Let your friends and family know that you’ve moved to a new rental by sending out official moving notices. You can send personalized cards in the mail, or you can simply send an email or text to your list of people who need your new address.

FAQ’s about changing your mailing address

How long does it take for mail to be forwarded to my new address? Mail forwarding can begin as soon as three business days after the request is submitted, but can take as long as two weeks.

How long does my mail forwarding stay active? According to USPS, mail forwarding will stay active for up to 12 months from time of submission.

What should I do if I haven’t received any forwarded mail? If it has been longer than two weeks since you changed your address and forwarded your mail, file a claim with USPS to investigate the issue and ensure there is a note with your local carrier to forward any mail.

Changing your address when you move can be more or less complex, depending on how far you move from your previous place and the rules of that area. But with these steps, you can navigate the process more efficiently to be better able to focus on making your new rental a home.