January 2020

Congratulations on your new apartment or townhome! Beyond all the work of packing, unpacking, decorating, etc., you need to let everyone that uses your address know you’ve moved. To help make it easier, we’ve created a change of address checklist and provided some direct links and phone numbers.

Government agencies

• United States Postal Service. Updating your address for mail delivery is one of the easiest changes you’ll make, because you can do it online here. After you do this, the post office will forward mail to your new address for 12 months (or 60 days for periodicals and magazines). It’s important to understand that notifying the post office only ensures mail sent to your old address will be forwarded. It does not inform anyone of your new address. You’ll need to do that yourself. When you receive forwarded mail, it will be marked as forwarded. That should serve as a helpful reminder that you need to let the sender know your address has changed.
• Internal Revenue Service. Assuming you file taxes, you’ll need to let the IRS know you’ve moved. While you can’t do that online, you can download the form you need to fill out here.
• New York State Department of Taxation & Finance. In addition to the IRS, you’ll need to change your address for state taxes. You can do that online here. You’ll need to create an online account, if you don’t already have one.
• Department of Motor Vehicles. In New York State, you can change the address on your license, registration and title here. You’ll need to create a MyDMV login, but that takes far less time than waiting in line at the DMV.
• Social Security Administration. If you receive social security benefits, including Medicare, you’ll need to let SSA know your new address. You can fill out their change of address application online or give them a call at (800) 772-1213.
• Voter Registration. Depending on how far you’ve moved, your district and polling place may have changed. In New York State, you can change the address for your voter registration here.

Financial institutions

Here’s a list of financial institutions you might be utilizing that will need to know your new address: banks, credit cards, loans, insurance providers (car, health, and renter’s insurance), credit union, PayPal, an IRA or 401k administrator, and investment accounts.

Magazines and subscription services

If you subscribe to any magazines or subscription box services (e.g. stitchfix, Blue Apron, etc.), change your address by emailing or calling their customer service department.

Online shopping sites

Give some thought to the online stores you shop at most often and change your address with each of them. With sites like Amazon or Land’s End, it’s easy to place orders without looking closely at the shipping details. If you don’t change your address, you might end up having an order go to your previous address.

Friends and family

Years ago, people mailed out change of address cards, but now you can just send a mass email with your new address and BCC everyone on it. If you’d like something a bit fancier, there are websites you can use to create and send e-cards announcing your new address. Canva is one of our favorites.

Clubs and organizations

Notify any clubs, organizations, and charities you’re involved with, so they know where to reach you. While it’s a different kind of club, that should also include your memberships to places like Costco or BJ’s Wholesale.

Professional services

Let your doctor, dentist, veterinarian, etc. know about your new address. If you’re going to be staying in the area they’ll need to know for mailing and billing purposes. If you’re moving further away, they may be able to assist you with referrals.

Your employer

Even if your paychecks are directly deposited into your bank account you’ll want to let your employer know about your change of address to make sure pay stubs, tax forms, etc. go to the right place.

Utilities

• Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E). You can stop, start, or relocate service here
• Monroe County Water Authority. There isn’t an online option, so you’ll need to contact customer service at (585) 442-7200
• You won’t need to worry about internet service, since Greenlight Networks Fiberoptic internet is included in your lease.

That’s a pretty big list, but we just wanted to make sure you didn’t forget anything. Just be sure, to create a checklist and keep track of what you which ones changed. It won’t be long before everyone knows where you live and you’re settled in at VIDA.