There’s a lot more to moving than packing boxes and renting a truck. Behind the scenes, there’s a list of legal and administrative tasks that are just as important. If you skip them—or delay them—you could end up with lost mail, insurance issues, or surprise fees.
- Don’t Lose Your Mail: Update Your Address
- DMV Deadlines: Update Your License and Registration
- Keep Your Finances on Track: Notify Your Financial Institutions
- Stay Connected: Update Subscriptions and Service Providers
- Protect Your Policies: Review and Transfer Insurance Coverage
- Know Your Lease or Mortgage Terms Before You Move
- Make Sure You Get That Deposit Back
- Don’t Forget Your Vote: Update Your Voter Registration
- Final Thoughts: Make the Move Smoother by Staying Organized
Here, you’ll find the most important steps to help you take before, during, and after your move to stay organized and avoid unnecessary problems.
Don’t Lose Your Mail: Update Your Address
One of the easiest things to overlook during a move is updating your address—but it’s one of the most important. If your mail ends up at the wrong place, you risk missing bills, sensitive documents, or important notices. This simple step protects your privacy and prevents disruptions.
Where to start:
USPS (United States Postal Service): Go to the USPS website to the Change of Address page to update your info. You can also fill out Form PS 3575 at your local post office. Mail forwarding typically starts within 7–10 business days, but keep in mind it’s a temporary service.
Notify key contacts directly: In addition to using USPS forwarding, update your address with key institutions like banks, employers, healthcare providers, and schools. Forwarding doesn’t cover official documents from these organizations, and missing them could lead to service interruptions or missed deadlines.
Add your family members: If you’re moving with others, include them in your USPS change of address form.
Double-check your new address: Format it correctly to avoid delays and confusion with deliveries or documentation.
DMV Deadlines: Update Your License and Registration
If you’re moving to a new address—especially out of state—you’ll need to notify the DMV of your new address and update your license and registration—this is typically required within 30 days of your move. Failing to update can lead to fines, problems with insurance, or even issues when you vote.
What to do:
Driver’s license: Visit your state DMV’s website to see if you can update online or if you need to go in person. If you’re switching states, be prepared to show proof of residency and possibly take a vision test or pay additional fees.
Vehicle registration: Make sure your car’s registration address matches your new location. This helps avoid mismatches with insurance and ensures your documents are valid in your new state or city.
Insurance match: Your vehicle insurance must reflect your current address. In some cases, you may need a new policy altogether if your current provider doesn’t cover your new area.
Voter registration: Many states automatically update your voter registration when you change your license—but check just in case.
Keep Your Finances on Track: Notify Your Financial Institutions
It’s essential to inform all your financial institutions of your new address. These companies send account statements, tax documents, alerts, and other sensitive information—so it’s essential to make sure it goes to the right place.
Notify your banks, credit card companies, loan providers, and any investment or retirement services. Most allow you to make changes through their websites or customer service lines. After updating, double-check that the address change was applied to all of your accounts—not just one. It’s also a good idea to save a confirmation email or note the date of your change in case you need proof later.
Stay Connected: Update Subscriptions and Service Providers
During a move, it’s easy to forget about the smaller accounts and subscriptions that rely on your address. But missing a package, having a billing error, or losing service access can be frustrating and time-consuming to fix.
What to update:
Subscription boxes and magazines: These often renew automatically, so a missed address update could lead to missed deliveries—or packages showing up at your old address.
Streaming services: While many don’t rely on your physical address for access, some—especially those with region-based content—may need to be updated to reflect your location.
Online retailers like Amazon, eBay, or Chewy: Update both your billing and shipping addresses. A common mistake is forgetting to update the “default” shipping option, which can result in orders being sent to your old home.
Loyalty programs and memberships: Many of these accounts use your address for mailed perks, membership cards, or coupons.
Cell phone, internet, and utility providers: Schedule disconnections and reconnections well in advance to avoid service gaps.
Pro tip: Create a running list of all services you use regularly. It only takes a few minutes to update each one, and doing so in advance can save a lot of trouble later on.
Protect Your Policies: Review and Transfer Insurance Coverage
Insurance policies are usually tied to your address, and some coverage might not be valid once you move. Reviewing your insurance early helps ensure you’re covered from day one in your new home.
Homeowners or Renters Insurance
Contact your provider once you have a confirmed move-in date. If you’re moving to a new home, your current policy may need to be canceled and replaced. Be sure the new policy takes effect on the day you move in to prevent any gaps. Take time to document your belongings with photos or videos—especially valuables—in case you need to file a claim later. If you’re hiring professional movers or packers, ask whether their service includes insurance or if you need to purchase separate coverage.
Auto Insurance
Your rate could change depending on your new zip code, driving environment, or state laws. Contact your provider for a revised quote and update your policy details to stay compliant. In some cases, you may need to switch insurers if your current company doesn’t operate in your new state. Always carry an updated insurance card in your vehicle.
Health Insurance
If your current health plan is tied to your state, it may no longer be valid after your move. Reach out to your provider or employer to discuss your options. If you’re covered through the Health Insurance Marketplace, log in to report your new address as soon as possible. Be sure dependents on your plan are also accounted for during the update.
Know Your Lease or Mortgage Terms Before You Move
Whether you’re a renter or homeowner, it’s essential to understand how your current housing agreement impacts your move.
Ending a Lease
Most leases require at least 30 days’ written notice before you move out. Ask your landlord for a move-out checklist and schedule an inspection. Be sure to complete any necessary repairs and deep cleaning to increase your chances of getting your full security deposit back. Always keep copies of your lease and any communications in case disputes arise later.
Buying or Selling a Home
Work closely with your real estate agent and mortgage lender to align your moving schedule with your closing date. If possible, plan to move a few days after closing to leave room for delays. Communicate with your movers or packers about your timeline so they can help you plan accordingly.
Keeping the Property
If you’re turning your current home into a rental or secondary property, let your mortgage lender know. Some loans require the property to remain your primary residence, so it’s essential to stay compliant. You may also need to adjust your insurance or refinance to reflect the change.
Make Sure You Get That Deposit Back
Security deposits can be a big chunk of change—and they’re worth protecting. Taking a few simple steps can help make sure you get your money back without dispute.
Prepare for Inspection
Request a move-out inspection ahead of time. Use your landlord’s checklist—or create your own—to ensure the unit is cleaned and any damage is repaired. Visually document the property’s condition to protect yourself during the deposit return process on the last day for your records.
Understand the Timeline
Most states require landlords to return your deposit within 14 to 30 days of your move-out date. They must also provide an itemized list of any deductions. If you believe any deductions are unfair, you can dispute them in writing. Keep copies of all communications and receipts to support your case if needed.
Don’t Forget Your Vote: Update Your Voter Registration
If you’ve changed states, cities, or even districts, your voter registration likely needs an update. Without this, you may not be able to vote in upcoming elections or may show up at the wrong polling place.
How to update:
Visit your state’s election website or go to vote.gov to update your registration. Some DMVs allow you to update your registration when changing your license—ask if that’s an option when you visit. Don’t forget to check the registration deadline for your new district, and be aware that your polling place and ballot may change if you’ve moved into a new district.
Final Thoughts: Make the Move Smoother by Staying Organized
The physical part of moving—packing, hauling, unpacking—is only half the story. The legal and administrative side can be just as important. Staying ahead of these responsibilities protects your identity, finances, and peace of mind.
Use this checklist to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. If you’re using professional movers and packers, let them handle the physical work so you can focus on setting up your new life—not just your furniture.
