How to Change Your Address When Moving?
Change your address at USPS.com first (mail forwarding costs $1.10 online). Then update: driver's license at DMV, voter registration, banks, credit cards, insurance, employer, subscriptions, and utilities at your new address.
Key Takeaways
- Start with USPS mail forwarding at usps.
- Some important mail (legal, government) won't forward—update these addresses directly.
- Moving across state lines triggers additional requirements for license, registration, and potentially taxes.
Explanation
Start with USPS mail forwarding at usps.com or your local post office. Forwarding lasts 1 year for First-Class mail. Do this 1-2 weeks before moving. Compare how much a moving company costs against a DIY move to finalize your budget. Online filing costs $1.10 for identity verification.
Update government records: driver's license (typically required within 10-30 days of moving), vehicle registration, voter registration (usually can be done when updating license), and passport when renewed. Keep important documents accessible by labeling moving boxes clearly.
Financial accounts to update: banks, credit cards, investment accounts, insurance (auto, home/renters, health, life), tax agencies (IRS Form 8822), and retirement accounts like 401(k) and IRA.
USPS mail forwarding does not cover all mail types. Packages from UPS, FedEx, and Amazon ship through their own networks and will not be redirected by USPS forwarding. Update your shipping address directly on Amazon, FedEx Delivery Manager, and UPS My Choice accounts. Also, periodicals and bulk mail (like coupons and catalogs) are not forwarded—they are discarded unless you notify the sender of your new address.
Notify the IRS of your address change by filing Form 8822, which takes 4-6 weeks to process. If you move between January and April, update your address before filing your tax return so your refund reaches the correct location. Your state tax agency requires a separate notification, and many states let you do this online through their revenue department website.
Things to Know
- Some important mail (legal, government) won't forward—update these addresses directly.
- Moving across state lines triggers additional requirements for license, registration, and potentially taxes. Start packing books and heavy items early so you can focus on administrative tasks closer to the date.
- Create a checklist and mark off each account as you update it.
- If you move frequently (e.g., military or contract work), consider using a permanent virtual mailbox service. Companies like US Global Mail or Traveling Mailbox provide a fixed address that scans and forwards your mail, so you only update your address once regardless of how often you relocate.