Moving home? Here’s what addresses to change – and when to change them
Changing your address in Canada can be a long process, and with all the added excitement, stress and anticipation of moving house, forgetting to update your details with a key provider is easily done. With so many different providers to think about, from your bank to auto insurance, PayPal to dentist, you might wonder where to even begin. But don’t worry!
To try and alleviate some of your headache whilst you frantically work through the seemingly endless list of things to do before moving, we’ve compiled the ultimate change of address checklist. This comprehensive list is divided into two sections: before moving and after moving – helping you easily prioritise what addresses to change when moving in Canada. The checklist will tell you when to change address when moving, along with a complete moving address change list.
In the first section, we recommend the essential providers to put at the top of your address change list. If you are short on time, then ticking off this section of the address change checklist will ensure you have all the essentials covered. In section two, we list all the secondary providers. If you have the first section of the checklist completed, these providers can generally wait until the dust of your move has settled and you’ve had a chance to catch your breath – just don’t leave it too long.
Part 1: List of addresses to change before moving
So, when to change address when moving in Canada? In an ideal world, it’s best to complete as many change of address forms as possible with as many different providers as possible, but moving house isn’t always straightforward. There are many factors that can impact how much preparation time you have before the day of the big move – from the packing taking longer than you anticipated, to sourcing a moving company and collecting quotes, to just simply being too tired after work. And we all need a bit of Netflix with our feet up and a massive glass of wine now and again, right?
We recommend changing addresses with the following providers around 4-6 weeks before the date of your move. The earlier you are able to begin your address change process, the easier it will be in the long run. Here is a list of primary places to change address when moving.
Schedule mail to be forwarded to your new address
One of the most important things to do before you leave your current address is ensure that you receive all your mail delivered safely, securely and on time to your new home. This should be at the very top of your list when looking at addresses to change when moving. The last thing you want is sensitive and private documents getting in the hands of the wrong person. Whilst it can take time to individually change your address with all the organisations you receive mail from – we will cover this in more detail later on – Canada Post help make scheduling your mail redirection quick and easy.
Notify your employer about your change of address
Along with making sure you’re going to receive all your mail on time at your new home, getting paid on time and without any headaches is another item you should put at the top of your agenda. Request that your employer update your paychecks, tax forms and other employment documents to your new address in order to avoid any confusion on payday.
Get in touch with your utility providers
Be sure to update your utility providers with your new address details, alongside arranging to have utilities at your current address disconnected. The most important utility providers to change your address with are mobile and landline phones, cable, internet, electricity, gas and water. Ensuring your utilities will be provided at your new address is paramount, guaranteeing the comfort and convenience of you and your family. Imagine the first night in your new home with excited and restless little ones and no Netflix, or the first morning without hot water. No thanks!
Part 2: List of addresses to change after moving
The most common question people ask in Canada is when to change address when moving house. Not everyone who is moving will have the luxury of time on their side – and let’s face it, getting ready to move takes up a whole lot of your sweet precious time. As long as you prioritise the steps in the first section of this article – notifying your employer about your address change, arranging for your mail to be forwarded to your new address and updating your utility providers with your new address details – realistically these secondary providers can wait until after you have moved in. Just don’t leave it too long!
Here is a list of secondary places to change address when moving.
Get in touch with city/municipal offices
If you’re moving to a new area in Canada, get a feel for your neighbourhood by contacting your local city or municipal offices. Visit their website, drop them an email or give the office a call directly to get information about garbage pick up, recycling facilities and regulations in your local area. You can choose to inform them that you are new to the area and would like to register your personal information and address details for their records.
Contact government and public offices
Be sure to notify all government offices about your change of address. These include income tax, vehicle registration, voter registration, family support and pension benefits.
Notify financial providers
Don’t forget to tell the money men that you’ve changed addresses, otherwise your finances could get pretty messy. In Canada these are (but are not limited to): bank or credit unions; loan institutions such as car, student, mortgage, home equity and personal; credit cards, PayPal, pension plans, accountants, tax consultants, investment brokers, credit reporting agencies.
Think about additional providers
After covering the basics, have a think about any additional providers, organisations and institutions you may have missed. Be sure to change your address with your children’s school; day care; health practitioners such as physicians, doctors and dentists – don’t forget the vets if you have any little furry friends; and community organisations like PTA, kids activities, health clubs and alumni groups.
Notify home services
Make sure your new place is looking shipshape and update your address details with lawn, pool pest control, delivery and house cleaning services.
Update all forms of insurance
Moving house in Canada is not without its stresses, so it would be wise to make sure you update the addresses for all forms of insurance to guarantee you are fully covered. Informing your life, auto, disability and homeowners insurance providers about your change of address will provide peace of mind in an otherwise demanding time. It will be one less thing to worry about knowing you’ll receive financial assistance in case of disaster or accident.
Update memberships and subscriptions
Last but not least, don’t forget subscription-based memberships like retail clubs, online delivery providers such as Ebay and Amazon, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, magazines, newspapers and subscription boxes and clubs.
Preparation is key when moving house
If you are one of the lucky ones with time on your side, it’s always best to make an early start on preparing for your move. Preparation is the key to success, as they say.
But with so many things to prepare when moving house – from getting hold of packing boxes, to finding time to collect quotes from moving companies, to the dreaded decluttering of the basement and garage – you may wonder where you can possibly begin.
In this article we have looked at when to change address when moving in Canada, along with providing a comprehensive list of addresses to change. Making sure the relevant individuals and organisations have been notified about your change of address is a pretty sensible place to start. Working your way methodically through this checklist on the lead up to your move will help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety associated with moving.
If you’re short on time before you move, be sure to tick off at the very least the essentials listed in the first section. Updating your employer and utility providers of your change of address should be prioritised above all else – alongside arranging for your mail to be redirected to your new address by Canada Post.
