Changing Your Address

You have gone through the entire buying and/or selling process and have moved into your new home.  The work is not quite over yet.  You will want to make sure you change your address.  Below is some useful information on how and with you to change your address.

The U.S. Postal Service

One of the most important organizations that need to be contacted about your move and made aware of your new address is the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).  The quickest way to change your address with USPS is to do it online at www.usps.com.  Simply put your mouse over the receiving mail drop down on the right hand side and click on change your address.  You will be then taken through the steps on how to change your address.  The process should only take about five minutes.  Please note that you will need your credit card handy as you will need to pay a $1 processing fee.  Once your address is changed USPS will forward mail to your new address for up to one year.  The other option is to drop-by your local post office to fill out the change of address form.  There is no fee if you fill out the form in the post office.

Driver’s License and Voter Registration

You will also need to change your address with the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).  Again, the quickest way to do this is to go to their website www.mva.maryland.gov.  On the left hand side you will click change of address.  You will want to have handy your driver’s license number, date of birth, and an e-mail or phone number.  These will all need to be provided.  There is no charge for completing the online form and once you hit next you will be taken through the steps to do so.  It should take around five minutes to complete.  Once the online process is complete the MVA will mail you a change of address card which should be kept with your driver’s license.  There are a few circumstances which will require you to go to your local MVA office to complete your change of address.  These circumstances are listed on the change of address page.  If you do not wish to complete your change of address online you can go to your local MVA office and fill out a paper form. 

At this time you will also want to update your voter registration if you are already registered to vote.  If you are not yet registered and would like to now would be a great time to do so.  On the same change of address page on the MVA’s website there is a link you can click that will take you to the Maryland State Board of Elections website.  When you get to that site you will want to click the link ‘find out here’ which will take you to a page where you can enter in your information to find out if you are registered to vote.  Once you fill that in it will let you know if you are already registered and then offer you a link to download a registration to vote application which is what you will fill out to either register to vote or change your address.  The form will need to be printed out.  The form will tell you exactly where you need to send it to have it filed.

Business Institutions

You will want to make sure you contact all businesses you deal directly with such as credit card companies, insurance companies, banks, etc and change your address with them directly.  Most institutions today have ways for you to do this on their website or by calling them. 

Personal Contacts

You will want to make sure those that are closest to you are aware of your new address.  There are many ways to do this.  Calling, texting, or e-mailing them are probably the easiest.  For a personal touch you could send out postcards with a personalized note and your new address.  Whichever way you decide to do it does not really matter as long as the personal contacts that need it are made aware of the change. 

Other Agencies

Depending on your particular circumstances there are other government agencies you may need to notify of your new address.  Some examples of these are below.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will need to be notified if you are expecting a tax refund or other mail from them.  Otherwise you can change your address with the IRS by writing it on your next tax return.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will need to be notified through their online service if you receive social security. 

Depending on your particular circumstances there are other government agencies you may need to notify of your new address.  Some examples of these are below.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will need to be notified if you are expecting a tax refund or other mail from them.  Otherwise you can change your address with the IRS by writing it on your next tax return.

The SSA will need to be notified through their online service if you receive social security, disability, or survivor’s benefits.  You will need to call the SSA within 10 days of your move if you receive supplemental security income benefits.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will need to be notified if you are a veteran who receives benefit payments or you are looking to update your medical enrollment and/or records.

U.S. Custom and Immigration Services (USCIS) will need to be notified if you are a non-U.S. citizen required to register with USCIS. 

Don’t risk missing any important pieces of mail.  Make sure you take the time to change your address with all necessary parties.