Notify people of your move

Here is a list of people you should notify when you change your address and phone number. Although the list is not all-inclusive, it can be used as a starting point. You may need to notify these parties at both your old and new locations.

Bear in mind: You may need to follow the instructions provided by banks, utilities, and credit card companies in order to make your address change effective. For instance, a phoned-in address change may not become effective with a lender if the lender’s policy is to require written address changes.

• The IRS (use Form 8822) and state and local taxing authorities.
• The U.S. Post Office.
• Home, auto, and life Insurance agents.
• Debtors and creditors, such as mortgage holders, car lien holders, other lenders, and people who owe you money.
• Credit card companies.
• Publications.
• Clubs and services to which you subscribe such as auto clubs, lawn mowing services, cleaning services, and book clubs.
• The Social Security Administration.
• Any organization that periodically mails you a check, such as a pension check or veterans’ benefits.
• Banks.
• Employers.
• Doctors, dentists, veterinarians.
• Motor vehicle departments.
• Places of worship and non-profit agencies you are involved with.
• The registrar of voters.
• Utilities, telephone service, answering service, and trash collectors.
• Your professional advisors.

Collect school and health records

If you have children, these items will be vital. Children usually cannot start in a new school or day care center without their old school records and good-health records.

At the very least, a school will require the latest report card. Immunization records will be required, as well. Many school districts have their own forms that need to be completed by a physician and many require a health examination prior to starting school.

Be aware that some immunization requirements differ between states and even school districts. To learn what documents are required to start your children in a new school, check with your new school district’s or schools’ Websites.

If you cannot find the information, call the school or school district. If you can enroll your children in school early, try to do this before your move.

Dental, medical, and vision records for your entire family may not be necessary, but could be helpful. If you are taking prescription medication, you should obtain your medical records to take to a new physician at your new home. You’ll also have to get the prescription transferred to a new pharmacy.

Dental x-rays and corrective lenses prescriptions can lower the cost of your first visit and provide valuable information to your new health care providers. If someone is in the middle of treatment (orthodontic braces, for instance), care can usually be transferred.

Get a recommendation from your current health care provider and contact them as soon as you can. Although often not necessary, the faster you can get a jump on finding new physicians, dentists, and optometrists, the more prepared you will be in any cases of emergencies.

Hook-up your utilities

There’s nothing more disheartening than not having lights or water in your new home. Take care of these things before you begin packing.

Utility companies will use the date you give them (the current owner usually has to contact them to provide their stop dates, as well). Some companies may require a credit check, and this can take some time.

Additionally, you might need to arrange for installation of such services as television or Internet. Scheduling installations and hook-ups before your possessions arrive will be less stressful for you. If this is not possible, arrange for necessary hook-ups (electricity and water for example) as soon as possible. Save services such as television and Internet for a few days after your possessions arrive.

You will want to call the utility companies at your current home and provide them a move-out or disconnect date. If your home will be sitting empty, consider not disconnecting utilities. Some of them are expensive to reconnect and if your home is still on the market, it will show better if the utilities are in working order.

Check your insurance

You not only need to change your address with your insurance companies and/or agents, you also will need to think about what insurance adjustments need to be made. Here are some common changes:

• Home insurance. You definitely will need to call your home insurance carrier to obtain insurance on your new home and cancel it on your current home. You may need to shop for other home insurance if you insurance carrier does not offer insurance on your new home. Even if they do, getting several quotes on your new home could save you money and provide better coverage.
• Auto insurance. You will also need to notify your auto insurance carrier of your new address. Your auto insurance premium will change. Like home insurance, this might be a good time to shop around for the best deal because auto insurance prices vary from region to region and company to company.
• Health insurance. Review your health insurance to make sure you are still eligible for it after your move. Know how your insurance works in your new home if you use a PPO or HMO network. If your health insurance changes in any way due to your move, you most likely have the right to change health insurance plans.
• Life insurance, retirement accounts, and other financial plans. Review your life insurance and other financial plans to ensure they will meet your new home needs. Do you need to increase your life insurance because your mortgage is increasing? Can you afford to contribute more to your 401(k) account because your pay is increasing?

Arrange for lodging while moving

You may be able to drive from old home to new in one day and spend the night there. Moving companies probably won’t be able to unload the same day they load, so if you are staying in your new home, you need to be prepared with whatever you can transport in your own vehicle or purchase.

If you need more than one day, you may need to reserve a hotel along the way. Staying with family and friends temporarily can be an option.

Just be careful that the time spent with them does not interfere with your move. The faster you get settled into your new home, the more comfortable you will be.

Contract repairs

Arrange for repairs, painting, carpet installations, etc. before move day. The more you can get accomplished before your possessions are unloaded, the easier, faster, and often cheaper repairs and cosmetic changes will be.

Store what you don’t need or can’t move

Most people would prefer to move directly from one home into another. But sometimes, you might have to move out before you can move in.

In these cases, you’ll have to arrange to have your furniture and possessions stored until you can move them into your new home. Moving companies might offer this service, so if you are hiring one, check with them.

Storage facilities can be found in the phone book. Decide where you will be staying while you are between homes, and choose a storage facility close by. That way, you’ll have access to it in case you find you need to retrieve something.

If you need to downsize your household, but want to keep things that you can’t fit into your new home, you will want to locate a storage facility near your new home.

Gather information from the former owner

Talk to the sellers of your new home or have your real estate agent do it. If there are any codes that need to be communicated, you will want those upon closing.

Warranties and instructions for household appliances that stay are also very helpful. If the seller does not leave manuals for you, you might be able to download them by visiting the manufacturers’ websites. Do this after you move in because you’ll need details from the appliance.