Whether you’re moving across the country or just around the corner, there are certain people and organizations that you need to notify about your new address. Having a change of address checklist can save you from forgetting someone important, such as your bank or credit card company.
이사The first step is to update your address with the United States Postal Service. You can do this online or in-person at your local post office by requesting the Mover’s Guide packet, which includes PS Form 3575.
Make a List of All the Organizations That Have Your Old Address on File
Many of the groups that need to be notified about your address change are obvious, such as utilities and credit card companies. However, it’s also a good idea to make a list of banks, investment brokerages, and any other organization that might have your past addresses stored on record. These organizations may not be able to forward your mail, but they can often provide you with other forms of contact.
One of the most important groups to notify about your new address is the United States Postal Service. The service makes it easy to check this item off your list by providing an online form that you can complete within minutes. The service will then forward your mail to your new address for six months to a year.
Another essential item to add to your list is a bank or financial institution that reports information to the credit bureaus. Keeping your credit accounts synchronized with your current address can prevent identity theft and reduce the risk of missed payments.
It’s also a good idea to update your address with the IRS. This will help to ensure that you receive your tax refunds at the correct address. In addition, you should also update your address with any state tax agencies that you do business with, though specific instructions vary by state.
Contact the United States Postal Service
A change of address with the post office is a common part of any moving checklist. The USPS processes countless relocations each month, and it’s important that the process is done properly to avoid future problems. Having an accurate address on file will prevent the risk of identity theft and ensure that your mail is forwarded to the right place.
You can submit a change of address online or over the phone, but you can also go in person and complete PS Form 3575. You’ll need to provide your old and new addresses, and you’ll need a valid form of ID to verify your identity. You can find the form at your local post office or download it from their website.
When you fill out the form, you’ll have the option to choose between a temporary and permanent change of address. The permanent option will forward your mail for a year, while the temporary option only reroutes your mail for a specified time period. It’s important to make this decision ahead of time because marketing materials and packages are not forwarded with the temporary option.
Some online services offer to complete a change of address for you, but the USPS makes it very easy to do yourself at no cost. These services are usually just interested in obtaining and selling your personal information, so don’t pay for this service.
Update Your Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration
If you have a New York State photo driver’s license, permit or non-driver ID card and have a valid form of identification and a credit card to pay a fee to order documents with your new address, you can change your address online by creating a MyDMV account and using the link provided to change your address. If you do not want to order new documents, you can visit a DMV office within 10 days of your move and report your address change in person.
You must notify your previous employer and your new employer of your change of address. This will help both employers send you any tax documents or reimbursement checks you may be entitled to and avoid any confusion about who is responsible for sending them.
You must also update your address with the United States Postal Service. You can do this by visiting a post office in person and asking for Form 3575 or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS. The USPS will forward your mail to your new address for up to 12 months. It is recommended that you write your new address on the back of your non-commercial driver’s license or PA photo ID and on your vehicle registration. On old DMV documents, you should carefully draw lines through the old address and write your new address in its place.
Update Your Email Address
Changing your email address may seem trivial, but it can cause real problems. Your place in the ether of the internet is tied to your email address, and missteps can result in you missing important correspondence like bills or homeowner association meetings.
Start by checking your old email account and inspecting its sent and deleted folders to identify all the places that you still have your old address on file. It’s helpful to have a list, either in your password manager or on paper, of all the web sites that you have accounts with and email newsletters you subscribe to. Then, take an afternoon and log into each one of these accounts to change your email address.
Another important step is to tell everyone about your new email address. Send an email to everyone in your address book telling them about your new address and asking that they forward messages from your old account to your new one. Include your new address in the message and BCC everyone else so that they won’t see your old email address in the message (remember, you don’t want your friends and family to use Reply to All when responding to you).
If you have a popular email service such as Gmail you can easily set up a feature that automatically forwards emails from your old account to your new account. This will keep your email inbox clean of old messages while also ensuring that you don’t miss any important communications.