Start with your post office, then your bank and employer
Changing your address is not one task—it is several, and each one goes to a different place. The U.S. Postal Service is the first stop because mail forwarding stops mail carriers from delivering to your old address and redirects it to your new one. After that, you need to tell your bank, your employer, and any organization that sends you bills or statements. The order matters less than making sure you do not miss any of them.
The reason is straightforward: if your bank does not know where you live, statements go to the wrong place. If your employer does not know, your tax forms arrive late. If the IRS does not know, you might miss a notice. Each organization keeps its own record of your address, and changing it in one place does not change it anywhere else.
Key Takeaways
- File a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service online, by mail, or in person at your local post office within the first week of your move.
- Contact your bank, credit card company, and insurance provider directly—do not assume they will find out on their own.
- Notify your employer's human resources or payroll department so tax forms and paychecks reach the right address.
- Update your address with the IRS, your state's tax authority, and your voter registration separately from the post office.
- Inform utilities, subscription services, and any organization that bills you before you disconnect service at your old address.
How to file a change of address with the post office
The U.S. Postal Service offers three ways to change your address. The fastest is online at usps.com—go to the "Mail & Packages" section, select "Change of Address," and follow the form. You will need your old address, new address, and the date you are moving. The fee is $1.10 for online filing. Processing takes three to five business days, and mail forwarding lasts for one year.
If you prefer to file in person, visit your local post office with a form of ID and fill out Form 3575. You can also mail the form to your current post office before you move. The post office will not forward mail that arrives before your change of address takes effect, so file as soon as you know your move date.
Mail forwarding does not catch everything. Magazines, catalogs, and some bulk mail will not forward even if you have filed. Banks and government agencies sometimes send mail marked "do not forward," which means it returns to the sender instead of following you. That is why notifying them directly matters.
Telling your bank and credit card companies
Call your bank's customer service number or log into your online account and update your address in the profile settings. Most banks let you change it yourself without visiting a branch. Do the same for each credit card you hold—call the number on the back of the card or use the card issuer's website. Write down the date you made the change in case there is a question later.
Your bank uses your address to send statements, tax forms (like 1099s), and fraud alerts. If mail goes to the wrong place, you might not notice unauthorized charges for weeks. Some banks also use your address to verify your identity when you call, so updating it prevents delays when you need help.
If you have a safe deposit box, tell the bank in person or by phone. The same goes for any loans—mortgage, auto, or personal. Each one is a separate account with its own address record.
Updating your employer and tax records
Contact your employer's human resources or payroll department and give them your new address. They use it to mail your W-2 form at the end of the year, so getting this wrong means your tax form arrives late. If you are self-employed or a contractor, you do not have an HR department to notify, but you still need to update the IRS.
File a change of address with the Internal Revenue Service separately from the post office. You can do this by mail using Form 8822 (for individual income tax) or Form 8822-B (for business income tax). Mail the form to the IRS address listed in the instructions, which varies by state. You can also update your address through your IRS online account if you have one set up.
Update your state tax authority as well. Most states have an online portal or a mailing address for address changes. Search "[your state] tax department change of address" to find the right form and address.
Notifying utilities, insurance, and subscription services
Call or log into your account with your electric, gas, water, and internet providers and update your address. Schedule the disconnect at your old address and the connection at your new one before you move. If you do not, you might be billed for service at the old address after you leave, or service might not be ready when you arrive.
Contact your homeowner's or renter's insurance company and your auto insurance company. Insurance companies use your address to calculate rates and to send renewal notices and policy documents. If they do not know where you live, you might miss a renewal important date.
Update your address with any subscription services—streaming, gym membership, magazine subscriptions, or online retailers where you have saved payment information. This prevents billing problems and ensures you receive any physical items sent to your address.
Updating voter registration and government IDs
Your voter registration is separate from the post office change of address. Go to your county or city clerk's office website and look for "voter registration" or "update voter information." Most states let you update online. If not, you can register to vote at your new address when you renew your driver's license.
Visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to update your driver's license or state ID. You will need proof of your new address—a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement usually works. Some states let you update online; others require you to visit in person. Check your state's DMV website for the exact process.
If you have a passport, the U.S. State Department does not require you to update your address on the passport itself, but you can update it in their system if you have a passport card or book with a validity period remaining. This is optional but useful if you need to receive passport renewal notices.
What to do if you miss notifying someone
If you realize weeks or months later that you did not update your address with a particular organization, contact them directly. Call their customer service line or visit their website and update it then. Most organizations will backdate the change to when you called, so future mail goes to the right place.
If you missed a bill or statement, ask the organization to resend it to your new address or to provide it online. If you missed a tax form, you can request a duplicate from the organization that issued it—banks, employers, and investment firms all keep copies and can mail or email them to you.
Check your credit report a few months after your move to make sure no one is using your old address fraudulently. You can view your credit report free once a year at annualcreditreport.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for mail forwarding to start?
The post office processes changes within three to five business days of filing. Mail forwarding lasts for one year from the date you file. After one year, mail sent to your old address will not be forwarded, so update your address with organizations before the year is up.
Do I need to update my address if I am moving within the same city?
Yes. Even a move across town requires a post office change of address and updates to your bank, employer, and other organizations. Your address is how they locate you, so changing the street or zip code matters.
What happens if I do not tell my bank I moved?
Your statements and tax forms will go to your old address. If someone else lives there, they might see your financial information. Your bank might also flag your account as suspicious if your address does not match where you are using your card, which can freeze your account temporarily.
Can I change my address online with the IRS?
You can update your address through your IRS online account if you have one set up at irs.gov. If you do not have an account, mail Form 8822 to the IRS address listed in the form instructions. The mailing address varies by state.
Do I need to update my address with the Social Security Administration?
The Social Security Administration does not require you to report an address change, but you can update it by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office. Updating it prevents mail from going to the wrong place if you need to contact them later.