Moving can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be stressful changing your address. To take the hassle and anxiety out of this step of the moving process, we’ve compiled all the necessary steps (along with some tips and reminders) just for you!
- You can make a change of address for government-related needs online. This will cover tax documents, benefits, and other official government correspondence. If you’d rather call or fax to change your address, that information can be found on the same page. This may vary by province, so make sure to check this handy guide for where you live and where you are moving to.
- To change your postal address, you can do it easily online. No hassle, fee, or time restraints.
- If you want to make sure any mail that gets sent to your old address is forwarded to you, you can use the Canada Post’s Mail Forwarding tool, or visit a post office and fill out a form in person. The fee is the same for both these options. To ensure your request for this service is approved, submit it at least five days before you move. If you want to be extra sure, Canada Post suggests filing your request up to 30 days in advance.
- Arrange for utilities at your new address and cancel the old ones. Depending on your provider, this can be done online, over the phone, or in person.
- Arrange for your telephone, Internet, and cable services to be transferred to your new address by Shaw or Telus.
- Find out about garbage pickup, recycling, etc. services at your new address.
Don’t forget to get a change of address forms from the following places:
- Driver’s license: this must be updated within six days of changing address.
- Health cards: must be updated within 30 days of changing address.
- Insurance
- Employer
- Doctor
- Dentist
- Magazine subscriptions
- Newspaper subscriptions
- Other mailing lists
- Memberships
- Bank Accounts
- Credit Cards
- Veteran Affairs: this can be done online, and should be done before you discontinue living in your current address.
- Employment Insurance: do this online before you move
Some of these will allow you to change your address information online. Others will vary, so make sure to know where to make the change and what your deadline is at least a month in advance to be safe.
Don’t wait until the last minute to get these steps done. Most can be done online and take less than an hour, so make yourself a personalized timeline with the steps applicable to you and complete it in advance so when the big day finally comes, all you have to worry about it getting unpacked and getting settled into your new home.
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