What Addresses To Change When You Move? A Complete Canadian Checklist

Moving to a new home means more than packing boxes and changing where you sleep. You also need to make sure everyone who sends you mail, bills, documents or important information knows where you now live.

If you’re wondering what addresses to change when you move, this checklist covers the most important organizations and accounts you should update. From government records and banks to your internet provider and online shopping accounts, taking care of these changes can help prevent missed payments, lost documents and deliveries going to your old home.

What Addresses to Change When You Move?

When you move, you should generally update your address with:

• Canada Post
• Government agencies
• Banks and credit card companies
• Insurance providers
• Utility and internet providers
• Your employer
• Healthcare providers
• Schools and daycares
• Subscription and delivery services
• Friends and family

Let’s break down each one.

01Change Your Address With Canada Post

One of the first things to do when moving is set up mail forwarding with Canada Post. This redirects eligible mail from your old address to your new one for a specified period.

It’s a useful safety net, particularly if you forget to update an account or organization. However, mail forwarding shouldn’t be your permanent solution.

As forwarded mail arrives, use it as a reminder to contact the sender and update your address directly. This helps make sure future correspondence goes straight to your new home.

02Update Your Government Addresses

Government records are among the most important things to update when you move.

Depending on where you live, this may include your:

• Driver’s licence
• Vehicle registration
• Health card
• CRA records and tax information
• Other provincial or territorial government records

Requirements and deadlines can vary depending on your province or territory, so check the appropriate government websites to find out what to update when you move and when you need to do it.

Don’t leave these changes until months after your move. Some documents and government correspondence can be time-sensitive.

03Update Your Banks, Credit Cards and Financial Accounts

Your bank and financial institutions need your current address for statements, tax documents, account correspondence and security-related communications.

Make sure you update your address with:

• Banks
• Credit card companies
• Investment accounts
• Mortgage providers
• Loan providers
• Financial advisors or accountants

If you have multiple financial accounts, don’t assume changing your address with one institution automatically updates it everywhere. Check each account individually.

04Change Your Address With Insurance and Utilities

Insurance companies should also be near the top of your address change checklist.

Update your address with your:

• Home insurance provider
• Tenant or renter insurance provider
• Auto insurance provider
• Life insurance provider

You should also arrange address changes or transfers for your home services, including:

• Electricity
• Gas
• Water
• Internet
• Phone
• Cable or other home services

If you’re leaving a property, remember that some services may need to be cancelled at the old address while others can simply be transferred to your new home.

05Don’t Forget Your Employer, Doctor and School

Some of the easiest address changes to forget are the ones outside your home and finances.

Employer: Let your HR or payroll department know about your new address so employment records, tax documents and other correspondence are kept up to date.

Healthcare: Update your address with your doctor, dentist, pharmacy and other healthcare providers you regularly use.

School: If you have children, remember to update their school or daycare records. If you’re moving to a different school district, check the requirements as early as possible.

06Update Shopping Accounts, Subscriptions and Memberships

Here’s one that can cause surprisingly frustrating problems.

Check the saved addresses on your online shopping and delivery accounts. This includes services such as grocery delivery, online retailers and meal delivery platforms.

Also update:

• Magazine subscriptions
• Gym memberships
• Professional memberships
• Loyalty programs
• Recurring deliveries
• Other subscription services

Saved addresses can remain in your accounts long after you’ve moved, so take a few minutes to review them.

07Tell Friends and Family

Finally, don’t forget the people who actually know you.

Let close friends and family know your new address, particularly anyone who regularly sends you cards, gifts or physical documents.

If you run a business or regularly use printed materials, you may also need to update your address on business cards, stationery and other relevant materials.

Your Moving Address Checklist

If you’re looking for a simple moving house checklist Canada residents can use, save this:

• Canada Post/mail forwarding
• Driver’s licence
• Vehicle registration
• Health card
• CRA and other government records
• Banks and credit cards
• Mortgage and loans
• Insurance providers
• Utilities
• Internet and phone
• Employer/HR
• Healthcare providers
• Schools/daycare
• Shopping and delivery accounts
• Subscriptions and memberships
• Friends and family

Start Your Address Changes Before Moving Day

Knowing who to notify when you move makes the process much easier, but you don’t have to wait until moving day to start.

Set up mail forwarding ahead of time, update important government and financial accounts first, and keep a simple list of every organization you’ve contacted. Then, as forwarded mail arrives, check whether you’ve missed anyone.

A little preparation can save you from chasing down lost mail, missed bills and important documents after you’ve already settled into your new home.