How to Change Your Address

For most businesses, you can typically change your address online or by phone

Updated Jan. 14, 2026

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When you move, updating your address — on top of all the other important things you have to do — can seem pretty overwhelming. And while some companies charge a fee for this service, it’s really not that difficult as long as you know what to do.

The place to start is with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). When you update your address here, you can get any mail sent to your old address forwarded to your new one. That way, if you forget to change your address with one or two places, you can just wait for the mail to be forwarded to your new address and handle it then.

Key insights

Changing your address with the USPS takes only a few minutes and costs about $1.

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Most states’ department of motor vehicles (DMVs) require you to change your address within 30 days or you could face a fine.

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It’s a good idea to transfer your utilities a few weeks before you move to avoid service interruption.

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The USPS

Updating your address with the USPS is pretty straightforward. To change your address with the USPS online, follow these steps:

Visit moversguide.usps.com.
Fill in your information and answer any questions (you can also update your voter registration at this time).
Pay the fee (currently $1.25) to change your address online. This charge is an identity verification fee to prevent fraud and ensure you’re the one making the change.

You can also visit your local post office to change your address in person. If you choose this option, simply go to the closest USPS location and ask for a hard copy of a change-of-address form. Fill out this form, then give it to a postal worker there or drop it in the outgoing mail slot. Make sure to bring a current photo ID and a secondary form of ID, such as a lease or voter registration card, in case requested.

You should receive a confirmation letter at your new address in five business days, and you should start receiving mail to your new address within seven to 10 days.

The DMV

Some states require you to change your address within a certain number of days. This is usually 30 days, although some states, like California, require you to do this within 10 days of your move. If you wait too long, you may have to pay a fine.

If you’re moving within the same state, you may be able to update your address online without a visit to your local DMV. If you’re moving to a new state, you’ll likely have to visit your local DMV in person. Check your DMV’s website for more information.

To change your address at the DMV, you may need proof of your new address. If you don't have a utility bill yet, you can bring your new mortgage or lease agreement instead.

» LEARN: 8 cheap ways to move across the country

Your employer

Even if your paychecks go directly into your bank account via direct deposit, you should still update your information with your employer. That way, come tax season, your paperwork is sent to the correct address.

To update your information with your employer, simply update your address through your workplace management software or email your manager or HR department with your new address.

Utility companies

You’ll need to change your address with utility companies such as water, gas, electric, internet, phone or cable providers. You’ll want to switch your utilities as soon as you know your new address so you don’t miss a day of service — and so you don’t pay too long for your old utilities.

As Nick Valentino, vice president of market operations at Bellhop, said: “In many cases, people move away and continue to pay a bill for months before they catch this mistake on their bank statements. The resident is none the wiser, and the cable or utility is happy to double-bill the same address.”

To transfer a utility service, you’ll generally follow these steps:

Contact your old provider. Contact your current utility provider to arrange for a shut-off on the appropriate day. You can usually handle this process online or via phone call.
Contact your new provider. Contact your new utility provider to turn on service on the appropriate day, usually closing day, moving day or the day before a move to make sure utilities are on when you arrive. If you’re not sure who your new provider is, ask your real estate agent or property manager, or visit your city or county website.
Keep records. It can be a good idea to do a final meter reading before you leave your current place. Record this number in case you get any unexpected bills after you move.

If you’re canceling your internet service rather than transferring it, Valentino recommends keeping the conversation short and sweet.

“Cable and internet companies in particular can make this process as painful as possible,” Valentino said. “One good shortcut for getting through those phone calls more quickly is to tell them you're moving to an area where they don't provide services. This will quickly put an end to their attempts to keep you as a paying customer.”

Banks and credit card companies

The process for changing your address with your bank or credit card company depends on the institution, but a good place to start is to log into your account to see if you can do this online. It may be as simple as updating your address in your profile settings.

If you can’t do this online, try one of these options:

Contact customer support. Call the number on the back of your credit card or on your latest bank statement and alert the company of your new address.
Update your address by mail. Send a letter requesting a change of address to the address on the return envelope associated with your latest bill.
Visit your local branch. If you have a branch close to you, simply stop by and ask to change the address on your account. You’ll probably need to provide your ID and proof of your new address.

After you update your address, make sure to use your new address as your billing address when you use your debit or credit card.

Insurance and loan providers

You should change your address with insurance providers and loan providers (if applicable), such as:

Homeowners insurance providers (or renters insurance providers)
Loan providers
Auto insurance providers
Health insurance and medical providers

For each of these, you can typically update your address either online through a customer portal or by contacting the company directly. Fortunately, though, even if you miss one or two places, you’ll still have your mail forwarding set up through the Postal Service.

» MORE: 19 things to do when moving into a new house

Online retailers and subscription services

Changing your address with online retailers and subscription services is usually a lower priority, but it’s still a good idea to do so you don’t accidentally mail a package or a subscription box to your old address. For these types of businesses, you can typically update your billing and shipping address in your online account or saved addresses.

How to change an address in your state

Here are more details on the procedures and timelines for an address change in your state:

FAQ

When should you change your address?

Ideally, you should change your address with the USPS sometime before your move. When you fill out the change-of-address form, you can list a date for when your mail forwarding should start. For billing agencies and the DMV, you should change your address within a few days after you move.

For utilities, including water, gas, electricity, cable and internet, you should do it a few weeks before you move. This will ensure you have everything set up at your new house when you arrive, and your service will shut off at your old address on the appropriate date.

Can you change your address online with USPS?

You can update your address online with the USPS, and the post office recommends it. The process takes just a few minutes online and costs about $1. That said, you can change it in person if you prefer.

How long does it take for mail forwarding to start?

Mail forwarding with the USPS should start within about seven to 10 days of the change-of-address date.

How long does mail forwarding last?

Mail forwarding with USPS typically lasts for up to one year for most types of mail. Magazines and newsletters will typically only be forwarded for 60 days. You can also purchase extended mail forwarding.

Do you legally have to change your address?

By law, you have to change your address with the DMV. For companies that send you bills or payments, like credit card companies, health insurance companies or the Social Security Administration, it’s important that you update your address with them to stay up to date. For other institutions, like magazines or alumni societies, it’s up to you whether you update your address.

Bottom line

Every time you move to a new address, you should update the address that’s on file with the USPS, the DMV, your employer and your utilities companies. Updating your address with the USPS is probably the most important step, but it’s not the only place you’ll need to update your information.

Rather than waiting until you miss an important bill or lose a package to your old address, make a list of all the businesses that have your address on file, and make sure you update your address with all of them. For most businesses, you can usually handle this process online, though some may require you to call them or visit in person.

Article sources

ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include: