4 Steps to Changing Your Address When You Move

Moving is an involved process, and it seems like there are dozens of minor details that have to be juggled in the process. Among all the other elements, the idea of having to change your address can seem frustrating. It’s even more frustrating considering the amount of bills you receive regularly, checks from work, and other relevant pieces of mail. Where do you start, and how can you be sure that you caught everything? That’s why we’ve provided a step-by-step process to make sure your change of address goes as smoothly as you hope the move itself will.

Start Early

As soon as you know your move-in date, start planning your change of address. Make a list of everyone you’ll need to notify: the post office, tax agencies, employers, banks, social security if it applies. Of course, if you still have a month or so to go before the move, you don’t want to change your address too soon — otherwise your bills will reach the new address before you do. However, knowing how long you have will offer you the exact timeline in which to change your address.

Change Online Profiles

Changing your address is easier now than ever. We live so much of our lives online, and even when you have paper billing, many organizations such as banks or utility companies, have websites on which you probably have an account. Your address is stored in these online accounts often, and you can easily go in and edit it. No need to leave your house and it takes only moments. If you’re unable to edit your profile, you can always call the company and have them edit your address from their end.

Notify the Post Office

If you’re worried about missing anything, this is one of the most important steps. If you fill out a change of address with the post office, anything billed to your old address will be forwarded to your new address for the first twelve months. By then, all of your mail should have settled into your new address and you’ll know if anyone is still mistakenly sending mail to your old address. Again, it’s better to do this early, though not too early. 1-2 weeks before moving is your best bet to make sure you catch all your mail.

Tell Friends and Family

In the social media age, it’s likely that your friends and family will know that you’re planning to move. However, they might not know how soon or your exact address. Make sure you let everyone know your new address — at least everyone that you want to keep in touch with. You don’t want to miss wedding invitations or even an old fashioned letter if your friends are so inclined.

Want to make sure you didn’t miss anything when changing your address? Go over your process with your experienced College Station realtor. They’ve been through this all before and can help you ensure that you’re good to go before your move.