Moving Tips: How to Change Your Address

Let’s face it, moving is stressful and sometimes it’s hard to remember how important it is to change your address as part of your move. We understand your stress so we want to make your move as hassle-free for you as we can. For this month’s moving tip, we thought we’d go over exactly how to change your address.

How to change your address.

USA.gov and the Postal Service make it extremely easy to change your address online, however, you will be charged a fee of $1.00 to make the change there. If you do not want to pay the fee, or simply do not feel comfortable adding your credit card information, you can always go into any post office location in person. Once there, you’ll simply fill out PS Form 3575 (you can ask for it by that name at any post office location in the U.S.) and then drop it in the mail slot or hand it to any postal worker. You’ll have the option to temporarily or permanently change your address. You can also have your mail held at the post office for pick up at a later date.

It will take 5-10 business days for the post office to process your request. You’ll receive an email notification or a postcard at your new address confirming the change.

IMPORTANT: Please be aware of scammers who will try to get you to pay to “assist” you with changing your address. DO NOT USE THEIR SERVICES. Remember you can do this yourself for only one dollar.

Why change it?

It’s important to change your official mailing address to avoid a break in your mail service. You could risk missing important notifications, documents, or other information. You’ll also want to make sure all of your services have your new address. Some of them (cable, electricity, utilities) will want to verify you’re the new tenant or homeowner. 

Your movers will also need to ensure they are delivering your belongings to the correct address, especially if this is a long-distance move or if you’ll be arriving at a different time than they will.

Other reasons to change your address

There are many other reasons you’ll want to change your address as soon as possible:

• In Texas, you must change the address on your driver’s license within 30-days after moving to your new residence.
  • Many state departments of motor vehicles recommend that the address on your driver’s license and insurance match.
  • Make sure you remember to change the address on your passport, too. The last thing you need is to be stopped at the airport or in a foreign country because your address does not match other documentation.
• You’ll want your employer to have your correct address on file.
• Of course, you’ll want to notify your bank and credit card companies of your address change.
  • The IRS and state government will need your correct address for tax and other important reasons.
  • If you have a 401K or investments, you’ll need to make sure your wealth management company has the correct address for dividend, tax, and payment reporting reasons.
  • If you donate to any non-profit organizations, it’s best to notify them of your address change for tax reporting purposes.

Moving doesn’t have to be as complicated as it sounds. When you prepare for a move, need moving tips, or want to get a quote about moving in Houston or anywhere else, contact us at 281-648-6683 or visit our website to get a quote.

Moving By Design has been an industry leader, providing affordable and efficient moving services from the first day we opened our doors in 2008. Founder Timothy L. Gray knew what it would take to become one of the top moving companies in Houston: A commitment to quality; unmatched by the competition. We look forward to making your next move stress-free.