Avoid lost mail and packages by changing your address promptly
Whether you are moving across town or the country, several people and companies will need to know your new address. Staying on top of changing your address means that everything will (hopefully) continue to arrive on your doorstep seamlessly. Let’s take a look at how to change your address after moving into a new home.
There’s nothing worse than realizing that an important piece of mail arrived at your old address, especially if you moved across the country. Many people, companies, and government entities will need to know your new address.
This step is crucial for anywhere you have automatic bill pay set up because these expenses are more likely to fall through the cracks.
Be sure to notify the following of any address changes:
Utility companies
Employers
Government offices
Credit card companies
Healthcare providers
Insurance providers
Bank and financial institutions
Membership subscriptions
Address-based apps
No matter how close or far away you move, everyone needs to take action in order to have their new address registered in all the right places. If you’re moving out of state, you’ll need to update items like your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and vote registration.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) should be your first stop for any address changes. There are two options available to residents. The fastest way is to visit the USPS website and complete the online address-change form. You will need to have a valid email and pay a fee of $1.10 for this service, but it will provide you with instant confirmation of the address change.
If you prefer to make the change in person, visit your local post office and ask for the Mover’s Guide. Inside the packet, you will find PS Form 3575, a change of address form. Once completed, hand the form to a postal worker or drop it in a letter slot inside the post office. You will receive a confirmation of the address change through the mail in about five business days.
Whether you have a driver’s license or other ID cards, you’ll need to update your state-issued identification and vehicle registrations. The guidelines for updating your address with the Department of Motor Vehicles depend on where you live. Some states require that you complete this task immediately after moving, while others provide a 90-day grace period.In any case, you will need to have the following documents on hand when you visit the DMV:
Current driver’s license or ID card
Current vehicle registration
Social Security card
Proof of insurance
Previous and new addresses
Some states require additional information, such as proof of vehicle inspection, proof of emissions test, or the bill of sale for the vehicle.
If it’s not an election year, changing your voter registration to match your new address may not seem like a priority. But since the system can take a while to update, this is another important task to tackle. Particularly if you have moved to a different state, the process can be longer, so once you have a new ID, be sure to change your voter registration information.
