When you’re drowning in countless tasks you have to finish before the day of the move, you may overlook some things. However, change of address (COA) is something you most definitely shouldn’t forget, as it may lead to many problems, including identity theft. So, how to change your address when you move? We suggest you take a few minutes and read our article on this topic, and you’ll learn everything you need to get through this process effortlessly.
This is usually a very straightforward process that doesn’t take much time or creates issues for those relocating. But, if you don’t even know where to start, this may look like a nightmare. Luckily for you, we’ve gathered all the necessary information and broken it down into a few simple steps. Follow our guide, and you won’t have any problems with lost mail after your move.
Here’s Why It Is Important to Learn How Do You Change Your Mailing Address When You Move
When you start preparing for a move, naturally, you’ll write a to-do list to help you get through this demanding period. Even though it will already be quite long without this task, we must emphasize that this is one of the most important things to do before moving. Not only do you risk identity theft if you relocate without notifying important government agencies or financial institutions, but you can also open yourself to other (though, lesser) issues such as past-due bills or lost letters. Don’t get yourself into this type of trouble – with a few simple steps, you can prevent all of that. Besides, you wouldn’t want to make the tenants of your old house research ways on how to stop getting mail for previous residents.
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Free QuoteWhat Should You Know Before Submitting COA When Moving House?
You should prepare a few things before you get to update your information, and we will mention all of them below, but to make changes, you have to know your exact new home number. It sounds like something people wouldn’t forget, but don’t underestimate the power of relocation stress – it can make you forget even the most crucial things. So, before you get to researching stuff like San Francisco tenants’ rights, better take care of this first! Check with your realtor and note the correct home number – you wouldn’t want your new neighbors to start receiving your mail, right?
When Should You Change Your Address When Moving?
We’ve established the importance of COA, but now you must be asking – when should I change my address when moving? This isn’t something you’ll have to do months in advance – the estimated time for processing your submitted form is about a week. Sometimes, it can be even faster, usually in cases of local moving. So, even if you have to pack to move in a hurry, there’s no reason to panic. Your bills will find their way to your new house in one of the best places to live in the Bay Area. Experts often suggest that the COA should be done two weeks before the move, just in case some unexpected events occur and the institutions need a couple more days to process all the paperwork.
What Is the Best Way to Notify of Address Change?
Luckily, all these changes can be done online, which will save you a lot of time and help you move efficiently. There’s no reason to run to the post office when you can finish this with a few clicks on their website. Notify the US post office about COA first, and then you’ll get to informing other government agencies and other institutions that should be notified. Keep reading to find out how to do that as well.
Don’t Forget to Inform Your Friends and Family About Your Relocation
Of course, all these official announcements for various institutions and going from one website to another shouldn’t make you forget to notify your relatives and friends. This is just as important as not overlooking the most commonly forgotten things to pack, if not even more. Sure, they will see your living room on social media, but what if they wish to send you a housewarming present or a postcard from abroad? Write them all, and inform them about your soon-to-be place of residence.
What Do I Need to Change My Address on When I Move and How to Include Family Members on the COA Form?
Relocating to one of the Bay Area towns can get pricey (well, we are talking about The Golden State, right?), so you’ll be happy to hear that you won’t have to spend much money on COA. In fact, the difference on your expenses checklist won’t even be noticeable since the fee for submitting a form on the official USPS website is just $1,05.
You just need to have an email, phone number, and a credit card on hand – that’s all! Postal service doesn’t make it difficult to update your home number. However, keep in mind that you are not safe from relocation scams even with this simple task. There have been reported scams with a fake post office website that charge way more for a COA update that never happens. Be careful out there!
You Should Decide Between Permanent and Temporary COA
USPS offers these two options. What is the difference? If you decide to go with the temporary option, your mail will be sent to your new residence only for the next 6 months, or up to a year. After that, the postal service will forward your mail to your old house. This is useful in some situations, like when you’re spending a few months away from your current house, but if you are relocating for good, be sure to go with the permanent option.
What Shall You Do If You’re Moving With Family Members?
If your whole family is relocating together, before you start planning a weekend getaway from San Francisco, you should ensure that the post office has adequate information about each household member. The great thing is that you can add them all on one online form if you all have the same last name. If not, we’re afraid you’ll have to fill out one or two additional forms, but hey – it’s not that big of a deal, right? It will only take a few more minutes of your time. To help you out, here’s a detailed guide on how to update address information. Check out the video below if you’re not sure what to do when changing address.
Where to Change Your Address When You Move to a New House, Besides With the USPS?
So, where to change address when you move after you are done with an update for the US postal service? Don’t kid yourself into thinking that’s all it takes to maintain the security of your identity! A couple more government institutions must be informed about the changes, and contacting them can often end up being one of the things you forget to do when you move.
We realize that you’ll be in a very confusing state once the relocation day approaches, especially if you are relocating with pets or kids (or both – in that case, you must reward yourself with a staycation in the Bay Area after the move). So, it would be a good idea to write down the list of every government agency you’ll have to inform, and of course, various insurance companies.
Places to Change Your Address When You Move to a New Home
Let’s look at the list where we have gathered all the institutions you must notify about your move. Of course, it’s not just that you have to contact a few United States agencies. You also shouldn’t overlook the utilities, bank, insurance, and so much more. Why not copy this list to your phone, so you can be sure you haven’t missed anything? It can help you a lot!
- Government institutions – Internal Revenue Service, State Tax Agency, voter registration, Social Security Administration, and DMV (yes, even if you are staying in the same state!) must all be notified about the change. You wouldn’t want to lose your stimulus check or any type of benefit just because you were too busy planning a going-away party, would you?
- Financial institutions – Your bank, credit card companies, and any payment service you may use still need to have your place of residence noted somewhere, even though we take care of financial stuff primarily online these days. Banks still send physical copies of various statements, so why risk your financial security by simply not being careful enough? Take a break from figuring out how to pack books and get this quick task over with.
- Utilities – Since you are staying in the state, most likely, you can transfer utilities with a few clicks online. Don’t wait until the last minute to do so. This is better done at least a month before the move. The essential utilities you should take care of include: water, electricity, cable and internet provider, gas, garbage, a recycling company, home security company, etc. What good is knowing how to pack a computer if you won’t have internet or lights once you settle in your house, right?
- Insurance companies – These include health, dental, life, car, house, or renter’s insurance. It’s never wise to leave your family uninsured in case of an emergency. Also, keep in mind that access to a doctor has never been so important as today, during the pandemic, so keeping you and your family insured is a lot more critical than decluttering and getting rid of items movers won’t move before your chosen Bay Area moving company arrives.
Should You Notify Anyone Else?
The checklist we’ve talked about above consists of the absolute essential institutions you have to contact. However, there are some others you should notify. In all fairness, forgetting them won’t get your identity stolen but could cause you some inconveniences. Luckily, most of these can be notified by changing your info on their websites or simply sending out an email. If you want to be thorough, we suggest updating your residence with these as well:
- Your employer,
- Your lawyer,
- Shopping websites,
- Magazine and newspaper subscriptions,
- Transportation apps and maps,
- Medical providers (doctor, dentist, and veterinarian),
- Clubs and organizations you are a member of.
After You’ve Learned How to Change Your Address When You Move, Contact Our Bay Area Movers to Help You Relocate Effortlessly!
Our local movers in Bay Area can assist you with your residential relocation and turn it into a pleasant experience, or wrap up your office and perform an excellent commercial relocation. If you don’t feel like packing everything on your own, our packers and movers in Bay Area are always available to assist you. So, be sure to get a free quote from one of the best moving companies in Bay Area, and contact us to book our services for your move. Don’t settle for anything less than the best movers in San Francisco!