Guide · 3 min read · Updated October 9, 2026
Change of Address Checklist: Who to Notify When You Move
How to file your USPS change of address and the full list of everyone else who needs your new address.
The short answer
A complete change of address takes two steps: file a USPS change of address, then notify everyone who sends you mail or bills directly, starting with banks, your employer, the IRS, the DMV, insurance, and utilities. USPS forwards most First-Class Mail for 12 months, but some mail, like bank statements and driver's licenses, may not forward, so don't rely on forwarding alone.
Changing your address is a hundred tiny updates. Forwarding catches some of them. This checklist catches the rest.
How do I file a USPS change of address?
You can file a USPS change of address online at USPS.com or in person at a Post Office. Here's what to know before you do, per USPS (as of 2026):
- Timing: file up to 90 days before your move date and up to 30 days after.
- Cost: filing is free, but online requests carry a $1.25 identity verification fee.
- Family vs. individual: a Family request only works if everyone shares the same last name and moves to the same address. Otherwise, file one Individual request per person.
- Watch for look-alike sites. USPS says sites charging $40 or more are not affiliated with USPS.
USPS says to allow at least 7 to 10 business days for forwarding to take effect. Plan for a short gap.
How long does mail forwarding last?
A permanent USPS change of address forwards First-Class Mail for 12 months and periodicals for 60 days. Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage packages forward for 12 months too, but marketing mail usually doesn't.
That's why forwarding is a safety net, not a plan. USPS itself says some mail, like driver's licenses and bank statements, may not forward, so contact those senders directly.
Use the forwarding year to spot stragglers. Every forwarded envelope is a sender you still need to update.
Who do I need to notify when I move?
Everyone who sends you money, bills, or official documents needs your new address directly. The LAND + HOME 3-wave address checklist splits the list so it isn't one overwhelming afternoon.
Wave 1: two to four weeks before you move
- USPS change of address
- Employer and payroll (your W-2 goes here)
- Banks, credit cards, and loan servicers
- Car, home, renters, and life insurance
- Utilities: shut off at the old place, set up at the new one
- Internet and phone
- Schools and childcare
Wave 2: moving week
- Doctors, dentist, vet, and pharmacy
- Retirement and investment accounts
- Subscriptions and online shopping accounts
- Gym, clubs, and memberships
- Family and friends
Wave 3: your first 30 days
- Driver's license and vehicle registration (state deadlines vary)
- Voter registration
- IRS (if you're not filing a return soon)
- Social Security, VA, or other benefits you receive
- Your own return address labels and saved shipping addresses
Does the IRS get my new address from USPS?
Don't count on USPS to update the IRS. The IRS says to notify it directly. You can:
- Put the new address on your next tax return
- Mail Form 8822
- Send a signed letter with your name, old and new address, and SSN
- Call, with the same details ready
The IRS says an address change can generally take four to six weeks to fully process. It also notes that not all post offices forward government checks.
What about voting, the DMV, and benefits?
Voter registration has to be updated every time you move. USA.gov says to update through your state at vote.gov, and if you move to a new state, you must register there.
For your driver's license and registration, check your new state's DMV. Deadlines and rules vary by state, so look yours up the week you arrive.
If you get Social Security, VA, or other benefits, update those agencies directly too.
A simple way to track it
Make a quick table and check each line off as you go:
| Who | How you updated | Date | Confirmed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | Online | ||
| Bank | App | ||
| Employer | HR portal | ||
| IRS | Form 8822 | ||
| DMV | In person |
The "Confirmed?" column matters. A confirmation email or a statement showing the new address is proof the update stuck.
Still planning the move itself? Price it out with how much it costs to move. Military family? The PCS checklist covers orders and out-processing.
The bottom line
File with USPS first, then work through the three waves, money and identity first. Rules and deadlines vary by state, so check your DMV and election office locally. By the time forwarding runs out, nothing important should still be going to the old address.
Common questions
How do I change my address with USPS?
File online at USPS.com or in person at a Post Office with PS Form 3575. Online filing has a small identity verification fee, $1.25 as of 2026, and you can file up to 90 days before or 30 days after your move.
How long does USPS forward mail?
A permanent change of address forwards First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage packages for 12 months and periodicals for 60 days.
Does a USPS change of address update the IRS and DMV?
Not reliably. Notify the IRS directly with your tax return, Form 8822, or a signed letter, and follow your state DMV's rules for updating your license and registration.
Who should I notify first when I move?
Start with anything tied to money or identity, such as your bank, credit cards, employer, insurance, and loan servicers, then utilities, government agencies, medical offices, and subscriptions.
Should I use a website that charges to change my address?
No. USPS says third-party sites that charge $40 or more are not affiliated with USPS. File directly at USPS.com or at a Post Office.
When you're ready for the next step
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