Whether you’re just going down the street or all the way to a different province, moving to a new home is a busy process. There’s a long list of tasks to complete before settling in, and one of the most important ones is changing your address.
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Updating your address ensures that you still receive all necessary mail, including any bills, legal documents, and government communications. It’s not only practical to update your address, it’s also legally required by most government agencies. Since this is such an imperative part of moving, let’s go over how and where you can change your address when moving.
Start with Government Agencies
As soon as you know your new address you can start the process of updating it. Ideally, you should update your address two weeks before you move to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Government agencies such as Canada Post, Service Canada, Canada Pension Plan, and Canada Revenue Agency should be contacted in order to comply with Canadian law. All of these can be easily updated online or through each agency’s hotline number.
You’ll also need to update your address for your provincial health insurance and driver’s license. In most cases, you’ll need to update your address within 30 days to keep your health insurance coverage active. In Ontario and British Columbia, you can update the address on your driver’s license and health card at the same time online. Other provinces have different requirements and it’s important to check the provincial requirements for where you live. For instance, in Alberta, you are required to update your address in person within 14 days of moving.
Financial Institutions and Insurance
Notify your banks and credit cards about your move to ensure you still receive important financial documents. Most financial institutions let you do this online. Similarly, if you have car, home, or private health insurance you need to update your address to keep your coverage up to date and active.
Service Providers and Subscription Services
When you get to your new home you’ll want to set up your wifi, clean dusty trinkets, and of course, use electricity. Avoid service disruptions by notifying your utility providers of your move. This includes your internet, gas, electricity, water and cable service providers.
Finally, don’t forget to update any of your subscription services or memberships like newspapers, magazines, gyms, and online shopping platforms.
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