After Closing; Who to Notify of a Change of Address?
Exciting news you closed on your new home. A set of keys are in your possession. Now what? As a new homeowner exciting memories await you. With that in mind, the move-in process begins with a myriad of activities demanding your attention. Besides changing the lock(s) on your doors. Often overlooked are a few simple critical notifications to entities informing them of your new change of address. Notify those entities correctly and timely of your new address makes your move less painful and lets you get to the good stuff of homeownership. As a rule, never use online sites requesting to change an address for a higher fee. Importantly, after closing; who to notify of a change of address when you move for your convenience is summarized compactly below:
Entities to Notify of Change of Adress
Definitely inform the post office of your change of address. Furthermore, to have your mail forwarded to your new location, you have two options.
Option 1: Go to USPS.com/move to change your address online. Following this approach is the fastest and easiest way and you immediately get an email confirming the change. Without a doubt, you will need a credit or debit card and a valid email address. Accordingly, your account is charged $1 to change your address online. The $1 charge to your card is an identity verification fee to prevent fraud. In addition, make sure you’re the one making the change. Warning: You don’t need to pay a separate company to change your address. Scammers may charge $40 or more to do what you can do for just $1 using the moving section of the official USPS.com website.
Option 2: Go to your local post office and request a Mover’s Guide packet. Furthermore, the packet is PS Form 3575. Begin by filling out this change of address form and provide it to a postal worker behind the counter. Or, drop it into the letter mail slot inside the post office. You should receive a confirmation letter at your new address in five business days.
At the time you move, you must report a change of residence address on your license, permit, non-driver ID, or vehicle records to the DMV within 10 days. Furthermore changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) does not update your DMV records.
Option 1: To change the address on your license, permit, non-driver ID, and/or registration(s) go online through MyDMV. Be prepared with knowledge of your ID number and document number from your most recently issued New York State driver’s license, learners permit, or non-driver’s license.
Option 2: To change your license, permit, non-driver ID, and/or the address on your registration(s), mail a completed Address Change (pdf) (MV-232) form to NYS DMV. Contact the License Production Bureau at P.O. Box 2895, Albany, NY 12220-0895. Remember if you want to replace your documents be sure to include payment. In fact, you can find payment information on the Change Address (MV-232) form. The DMV updates the title certificate record at the time of address change for vehicle registration.
Remember to notify the IRS to ensure you receive any IRS refund or correspondence at the time of an address change. Additionally, notify your tax preparer too of your change of address. In most cases, it can take four to six weeks for a change of address request to fully process. There are several ways to notify the IRS of an address change.
Option 1: You may choose to inform the IRS by Form. To change your address with the IRS, you may complete a Form 8822, Change of Address, (For Individual, Gift, Estate, or Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Returns) (PDF)and/or a Form 8822-B, Change of Address or Responsible Party — Business (PDF) and send them to the address shown on the forms. For information on changing the “responsible party,” see Form 8822-B. You may download and print the fillable Forms 8822 and 8822-B or order them by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
Option 2: You may notify the IRS in writing of your address change. Inform the IRS you are changing your address. Provide your: 1. Full Name, 2. Old and New Address, 3. social security number, 4. individual taxpayer identification number, or employer identification number, and 5. signature. special note for Employment Returns. Any change of address relating to an employment tax return, the IRS issues confirmation notices (Notices 148A and 148B) for the change to both the new and former address.
Change your address for social security online using My Social Security account. Follow this step if you receive Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability benefits or are enrolled in Medicare. If you don’t receive Social Security benefits or Medicare or want to change your address by phone or in-person contact the SSA.
Contact the VA if you are a veteran who receives benefit payments or you want to update your records. To update your benefits and services information across Veterans Affairs (“VA”) programs, which include: health care, disability compensation, pension benefits, claims and appeals, vocational rehabilitation and employment (VR&E) there are two options.
Option 1: Call VA at 1-877-222-VETS (8387). A representative can help validate and if necessary update your address Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
Option 2: Update your profile online. Sign in to VA.gov with your DS Logon, My HealtheVet, or ID.me account. If you don’t have an account you can create one.
Contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USIS”) within 10 days of a move. Non-U.S. citizens must register their address change.
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Notify Voter’s Registration (State Board of Election Offices | NYS and NYC)
Contact your state election office to change an address on a voter registration record and to be assigned a new polling location if you’ve moved outside the boundaries of your current one.
If you are a member of the TSA Pre✓®Application Program, you may call (855) 347-8371 weekdays, between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET, to make changes to TSA. This includes your name, address, or other information contained in your records. You may also submit your inquiry online. TSA will provide information regarding documentation needed to process the change. If you are a member of Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, please submit an email or visit the Trusted Traveler Program website.
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Notify Utility Providers
Transferring your utility services is just one of many to-dos that come along with transitioning to a new home. In New York City there are two Gas Service providers. Con Edison (Manhattan, the Bronx, Northern Parts of Queens) and National Grid (Brooklyn, Staten Island, Rest of Queens). And the Water Provider is the NYC Department of Environmental Protection for all 5 boroughs. Additionally, the telephone company, cable company, and internet provider must be contacted too.
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Notify Home and Renters Insurance
Importantly insurance provider(s) have the correct home address details. No matter if you have a relationship or an online account managing your insurance policies. Remember to change your mailing address information right away. Notifying insurance provider(s) ensures receipt of all important mail notifications. Providers for Medical & Dental, Automotive, Home/Renters, and Health visit Healthcare.gov.
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Notify Your Employer
You do not by law need to notify a prior employer of a change of address. However, if you do not they will send the W-2 they are required by law to send you not later than January 31st to your prior address, which you will not receive at your new address unless you still have a mail forwarding order in place. Keep in mind many employers have an intranet that you can log-in and report the address change. Furthermore, the Human Resource Department is a resource to reach out to with questions on updating address changes. You want to ensure your tax, medical, insurance, and retirement investment accounts with the company are all connected to your new address. Don’t forget to update your new address information with your employer.
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Notify Financial Agencies includes: Banks, Loan Providers, and Credit Card Companies
To ensure someone does not impersonate your account or that you do not miss anything important related to your finances you should notify all Financial Agencies immediately. Hence, conduct bank and credit card address change on the financial institution’s online secure web site. In some cases, it may be necessary to contact the Customer Service Department. secure website
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Notify Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions
In most cases, you can update magazines, catalogs, and newspaper subscription’s delivery address at any time online or by calling. Therefore, visit the magazine or catalog website, and plug your customer number (found on the back or inside flap of a recent issue) into the online change-of-address form. Alternatively, you can call the publication and ask for an address change over the phone. Unquestionably, contact each subscription provider to ensure you receive your magazines, catalogs, and newspapers. Or else, magazines, catalogs, and newspapers remain behind at the old address for the next homeowner.
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Notify Clubs (Costco, Sam’s Club, Wegmans, B.J.’s, etc.)
Moreover update active online shopping sites, charities, and organizations. As a rule, inform these entities where to reach you. This will allow these entities to provide you information on a timely basis.
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Notify Pets Electronic Identification Tag
Don’t forget, to update your pet’s identification tag and secure the tag on your pet’s collar just in case your pet(s) are lost or escape. To keep pets safe during a natural disaster Congress passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act to be complied with to qualify for FEMA funding. It should be noted, the American Veterinary Association recommends implanting a microchip so that your pet can be safe and tracked if necessary.
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Notify Friends and Family
Admittedly, the important people in your life are eager to hear from you. Therefore inform them you are a new homeowner. As well as, by sending them a personal online or print card with your new address. Consider hosting a “House Warming Party or Pot-Luck” to show-off your home and catch-up in an intimate setting with them.
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Meet Your Neighbor’s
Without a doubt, consider inviting your new neighbor’s over for some lite nibbles to get to know each other or slip them a note to meet at a public space. Clearly, a friendly neighborhood relationship is invaluable when you need a cup of sugar or a light bulb in a pinch. A friendly relationship encourages you to get you out of your home to explore the neighborhood, meet new people, and just have fun.
Trusted Advisor and Local Expert
As your trusted advisor and local expert, I have prepared resources and roadmap to make your transition seamless. Additionally, besides this list of who to notify of a change of address. I have established a vetted professional referral network of other professionals to help you with the move and any home design needs you have. Lastly, these professionals can help you with your unique needs and address any challenge that comes your way. Congratulations on that new home purchase.
