Moving. Is there a resource to update my new address with everyone?

July 29, 2018 6:08 AM

I have maintained the same mailing address for many years. That person is moving very soon. How do I update my mailing address with everyone - magazines, bills, IRS, DMV etc. Do I have to call everyone individually? Is there a resource to do this in "one shot?" I'm sure that I will have to go to the local post office for starters, but what is the easiest way to do this? Thank you in advance

I have maintained the same mailing address for many years. That person is moving very soon. How do I update my mailing address with everyone - magazines, bills, IRS, DMV etc. Do I have to call everyone individually? Is there a resource to do this in "one shot?"

I'm sure that I will have to go to the local post office for starters, but what is the easiest way to do this?

Thank you in advance

posted by kbbbo to Home & Garden (5 answers total)

In the US, you can change your address with the post office and you can elect up to 12 months of mail forwarding. They also have a moving kit with a list of places to make sure you update. You can do it online for $1 or in person for free.

Some companies periodically check with USPS and will automatically update your address (most of my credit cards did, and most magazines), and some you’ll still have to do individually. Forwarding is also helpful because you’ll get all the things you forgot about, like, say your college alumni magazine that only comes quarterly.

Remember to check your shipping address when shopping online—I’ve accidentally sent something to a previous address more than once.
posted by assenav at 6:38 AM on July 29, 2018 [6 favorites]

You have to call everyone. Most can be updated online, even magazines.
posted by jeffamaphone at 8:23 AM on July 29, 2018 [1 favorite]

Mail forwarding will take care of almost everything (ask what happens if they tick the "this is a household move box" on the form--it may apply to you even if you have different last names), but it's worth changing time-sensitive or money-related things like credit cards, bank accounts and monthly bills (and the DMV). Unless you're actively corresponding with the IRS or waiting on a refund check, you shouldn't need to update anything with them. If you have internet access at home, it's about a 15 minute effort.
posted by hoyland at 8:27 AM on July 29, 2018

One other thing - while you're updating accounts, keep track of what you've changed so that it's easier to update the next time. I use a Google spreadsheet for this, but anything you can access easily at some indeterminate point in the future is best.

I use the same sheet to track which credit cards/bank accounts are used to pay which account - it helps when a card expires or your account number changes. If you use a password manager, that's a great place to track as well.
posted by five toed sloth at 10:54 AM on July 29, 2018

If you happen to have the same last name as the other person, and you aren't moving to the same address, I'd recommend you do not file the post office forwarding form as I've not had great experiences with getting the proper things forwarded.

YMMV depending on how big a deal it is if one of you gets the other's mail.
posted by yohko at 6:45 PM on July 30, 2018