Moving Checklist: Utilities and Address Changes to Handle Before You Move
Moving Checklist: Utilities and Address Changes to Handle Before You Move
Two categories of tasks bring moving to a grinding halt if you ignore them until the last minute: utilities and address changes. Miss the right accounts and you'll spend moving week without internet, get a water shutoff notice three weeks after you move, or have your tax refund sent to the wrong address next April.
This printable moving checklist covers every utility to transfer or cancel and every institution that needs your new address — organized by urgency and type.
The Problem With "I'll Do It After the Move"
Most people intend to handle utilities and address changes after they're settled. They rarely do, or they do it incompletely.
Here's what happens when you wait:
- Utilities: Forgetting to cancel the old electric account costs you money for service you're not using. Missing the internet setup appointment at the new place means working from a coffee shop for two weeks.
- Government records: The IRS doesn't know you moved. Your tax refund goes to the old address. Your voter registration is still in the wrong county. Your driver's license shows an address that doesn't match your current state.
- Financial accounts: Credit card statements go to the old address. Someone at your old house now has your card number.
The fix is a systematic approach, done 4–6 weeks before you move — not the week of.
Part 1: Utility Transfer and Cancellation Checklist
Utilities at the Old Address — Cancel or Transfer
Electric
- [ ] Contact your electric utility to schedule service disconnection on your move-out date
- [ ] Request a final meter reading and ensure it's dated correctly
- [ ] Get confirmation of disconnection in writing; get your account number for any deposit refund
- [ ] Note: Some utilities require 30 days notice; check your provider's policy
Gas
- [ ] Notify your gas utility of your move-out date
- [ ] Schedule final meter reading
- [ ] Confirm any refundable deposit on your account
Water and Sewer
- [ ] Notify the water authority of your move-out date
- [ ] Request a final meter reading
- [ ] If you own the property, transfer service to the new owner or their settlement company
- [ ] If renting, your landlord typically handles this, but confirm in writing
Internet and Cable
- [ ] Schedule service disconnection on your move-out date
- [ ] Arrange equipment return (router, cable box) — get a receipt
- [ ] Note: Internet providers often have early termination fees if you're in a contract; ask whether they serve your new address to potentially transfer rather than cancel
Trash Collection
- [ ] Notify your trash/recycling provider of your final pickup date
- [ ] Return any bins or carts provided by the service
- [ ] Note: In many cities, trash service is municipal and transfers automatically with property records; in others, it's a separate account
Alarm / Home Security System
- [ ] Notify your security company of your move-out date
- [ ] Return any equipment if leased
- [ ] Ask about early termination clauses — security contracts are often 2–3 year terms
- [ ] Ask if your service can be transferred to your new address
Utilities at the New Address — Set Up Before You Arrive
Timeline rule: Schedule all utilities to start on your move-in date or one day before. Don't schedule them to start on moving day itself — if anything delays the move, you want the utilities already running.
Electric
- [ ] Contact the utility serving your new address at least 2 weeks before move-in
- [ ] Set up account, schedule service start date
- [ ] Pay any required security deposit (common for new accounts)
Gas
- [ ] Contact the gas utility for the new address
- [ ] Schedule service start (some utilities require a technician visit to restore gas service if the line was shut off — don't assume it just turns on)
Water
- [ ] If renting: confirm with landlord who sets up water service
- [ ] If buying: contact the municipal water authority to transfer service into your name at closing; your real estate attorney or title company may handle this
Internet — Set This Up First This is the one people underestimate most. Internet installation appointments fill up weeks in advance, and fiber or cable installations in new locations can take 2–4 weeks from order to live service.
- [ ] Order internet service 4–6 weeks before your move date
- [ ] Schedule installation appointment for the day before or first day in the new home
- [ ] If switching providers, don't cancel the old service until the new service is confirmed working
- [ ] Note: In many areas you have a choice between cable (coax-based), fiber, and DSL. Check which providers serve your new address at allconnect.com or your municipality's website.
Home Phone (if applicable)
- [ ] Contact provider to transfer or establish service
Alarm / Security
- [ ] Contact your security provider to set up service at the new address, or shop new providers
- [ ] Schedule installation before you move in, especially if the home will be vacant for any period
Part 2: Printable Change of Address Checklist
This is the complete list. Work through it systematically rather than trying to remember everything at once.
Government and Legal — Do These First
USPS Mail Forwarding
- [ ] File at moversguide.usps.com (there is a $1.10–$1.25 identity verification fee online)
- [ ] Lead time: 7–10 business days for forwarding to begin
- [ ] Forwarding lasts up to 12 months for first-class mail
- [ ] This buys you time, but it's not a permanent solution — you still need to update every account individually
IRS
- [ ] File Form 8822 (Change of Address) — available at irs.gov
- [ ] Or update your address when you file your next tax return
- [ ] Critical for: tax refunds, audit notices, and IRS correspondence
Social Security Administration
- [ ] Update at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213
- [ ] Critical if you receive SSI, SSDI, or Social Security benefits
Voter Registration
- [ ] Re-register at your new address (moving does not automatically transfer registration)
- [ ] Find your state's voter registration portal at vote.gov
- [ ] Deadlines vary by state: typically 15–30 days before an election
- [ ] Some states (Oregon, Colorado, California) auto-register when you update your driver's license
Driver's License and State ID
- [ ] Update within the timeframe required by your new state (typically 30–60 days)
- [ ] In-state moves also require updating the address on your license (some states allow online updates; others require a visit)
Vehicle Registration
- [ ] Update with your state's DMV when you update your driver's license
- [ ] If moving states: re-register your vehicle in the new state within the required timeframe
Passport (no action required, but note it)
- U.S. passports do not require an address update; the address on a passport is for information only and does not need to be current
Financial Accounts
Banks and Credit Unions
- [ ] Primary checking and savings accounts
- [ ] Joint accounts
- [ ] Business accounts
Credit Cards
- [ ] Every credit card, store card, and charge account
- [ ] Check all billing addresses, not just the primary cardholder's address
Loans
- [ ] Auto loan servicer
- [ ] Student loan servicer (if you have federal loans, update at studentaid.gov)
- [ ] Personal loans
- [ ] Business loans
Investment and Retirement
- [ ] 401(k) or 403(b) plan administrator (through your employer's HR)
- [ ] IRA custodian (Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab, etc.)
- [ ] Brokerage accounts
- [ ] HSA (Health Savings Account) custodian
Insurance
- [ ] Homeowners or renters insurance (address change may affect your premium; shop around)
- [ ] Auto insurance (address change almost certainly affects your premium — sometimes significantly)
- [ ] Life insurance
- [ ] Health insurance (update with employer HR or your insurance company)
- [ ] Pet insurance
Healthcare
- [ ] Primary care physician — request records transfer to new provider if moving far
- [ ] Dentist — request records transfer
- [ ] Specialists — update address and request records if transitioning to a new provider
- [ ] Pharmacy — transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy in your new area (chains make this easy; ask for a "pharmacy transfer")
- [ ] Health insurance provider (update to ensure any EOB or billing goes to correct address)
- [ ] Medicare or Medicaid (if applicable)
- [ ] FSA or HSA administrator
Subscriptions and Deliveries
Recurring Delivery Services
- [ ] Amazon (update default shipping address — and Prime delivery address is separate from billing address)
- [ ] Meal kit services (HelloFresh, Blue Apron, etc.)
- [ ] Grocery delivery (Instacart, Walmart+, etc.)
- [ ] Subscription boxes (clothing, beauty, etc.)
Streaming and Digital Services
- [ ] Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV+ (billing address)
- [ ] Spotify, Apple Music (billing address)
- [ ] YouTube Premium
Print Subscriptions
- [ ] Magazine subscriptions
- [ ] Newspaper subscriptions
Loyalty Programs
- [ ] Airline frequent flyer programs (important for miles statements and elite status communications)
- [ ] Hotel rewards programs
- [ ] Grocery store loyalty cards
Professional and Miscellaneous
- [ ] Employer HR department (important for W-2 mailing and emergency contact records)
- [ ] Professional licenses (update with your state licensing board)
- [ ] Attorney (estate planning documents, wills, trusts may reference your address)
- [ ] Accountant or tax preparer
- [ ] Alumni associations and professional memberships
- [ ] Religious organization membership records
- [ ] Charities you donate to (especially if you give by check and receive acknowledgment letters)
Free Download
Get the Moving Week Countdown Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
Moving Into Your First House: What to Do When You Arrive
If this is your first home, the first 48 hours should follow a specific sequence before you start unpacking:
- Locate emergency shutoffs — main water shutoff, gas shutoff at the meter, electrical panel. Write their locations down.
- Test smoke detectors and CO detectors — replace batteries in all of them; replace any units older than 10 years.
- Change the locks — you don't know who has copies of the previous owner's keys.
- Check the water heater temperature — should be set to 120°F.
- Deep clean before furniture arrives — this is your only chance to clean floors and inside cabinets without moving furniture twice.
- Set up your essentials first — beds, bathroom toiletries, kitchen basics. Everything else can wait.
Get a Complete Printable Moving Checklist
Managing a move means tracking dozens of tasks across 8 weeks. Our Moving Checklist at /moving-checklist/ gives you a printable, week-by-week planner that includes:
- Complete utilities and address change tracking sheet
- 8-week countdown planner
- Room-by-room packing guides
- Budget worksheet
- Moving day hour-by-hour timeline
Download the free Moving Week Countdown Checklist to get the final seven days organized immediately. The full product covers the entire moving process from start to settled-in.
Try the Free Moving Budget Calculator
Run your own numbers with our interactive Moving Budget Calculator — no signup required.
Open the Calculator →Get Your Free Moving Week Countdown Checklist
Download the Moving Week Countdown Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.