Changing your address is not the most challenging part of moving, but it is a tedious task compared to packing your belongings. Making sure everyone who needs your new address has it has gotten easier over time with online address forms, but remembering who to notify is the hard part. Whether you are moving locally or moving long-distance, you need to get your mail before you miss essential documents.
Changing your address has become a lot easier than running down to the post office and standing in line. Read over the following tips to make sure that when you move, your mail will be moving with you.
Canada Post Mail Forwarding
The first step is setting up mail forwarding through Canada Post. You can do this online at the Canada Post website or in person at any post office. Mail forwarding costs a fee (currently around $100 for four months of domestic forwarding), but it is well worth the peace of mind. First-class mail like letters and bills are forwarded for the duration of your plan, while periodicals like newspapers and magazines are forwarded for a shorter period.
The most important part of filling out the Canada Post change of address form is including your old address and your new address. However, it is also vital that you include the names of anyone else who is moving with you. If you only have your name on the form, your spouse or family member’s mail will not follow you. After the forwarding period expires, anything that arrives for you will either be returned to sender or left with whoever has moved into your old place.
BC-Specific Address Changes
If you are moving within British Columbia, the provincial government makes it relatively easy to update multiple services at once through the Address Change BC Service. This free online tool lets you update your address with several provincial agencies in one session, including:
- BC Services Card and BC Driver’s Licence (ICBC)
- Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- BC Hydro
- BC Assessment
- Property tax deferment program
- BC Student Loans
For your ICBC address change specifically, you are legally required to update your driver’s licence address within 10 days of moving. You can do this through Address Change BC, at an ICBC driver licensing office, or at an Autoplan broker. Your BC Services Card and CareCard are tied to your ICBC record, so updating one typically updates the other.
For MSP, your address update through Address Change BC or ICBC usually covers it, but if you have extended health benefits through Pacific Blue Cross or another provider, you will need to contact them separately.
Government and Tax Agencies
Update your address with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) through your My Account online portal or by calling them directly. This is critical because tax documents, benefit payments like the GST/HST credit and Canada Child Benefit, and other correspondence all go to your address on file. If you miss a tax notice because of an outdated address, it can lead to penalties or delayed refunds.
Also update your address with Service Canada for Employment Insurance, CPP, and OAS records. Elections Canada should be updated as well to make sure you are registered to vote at your new address.
Financial Institutions
Banks, credit unions, credit card companies, and investment accounts all need your new address. Most allow you to update this through online banking or their mobile app. Do not forget about:
- Chequing and savings accounts
- Credit cards
- Mortgage provider
- Investment and RRSP/TFSA accounts
- PayPal, e-transfer settings, or other payment platforms
- Student loan providers
Insurance Providers
Your home or tenant’s insurance, auto insurance (through ICBC in BC), life insurance, and any extended health or dental plans need to be updated. Moving to a new address can actually affect your insurance premiums, so it is best to notify your provider before or on the day of your move.
Subscriptions and Online Shopping
Go through your online accounts and update your shipping and billing addresses. This includes Amazon, meal kit deliveries, subscription boxes, streaming services that verify your location, and any other recurring deliveries. Check your email for recent order confirmations to jog your memory about which services have your address on file.
Medical and Professional Services
Notify your family doctor, dentist, optometrist, pharmacy, veterinarian, and any specialists you see regularly. If you are moving to a new area, you may need to find new providers, so ask for copies of your medical records and prescriptions before you leave. Update your address with your employer’s HR department for tax forms and benefits administration.
Schools and Childcare
If you have children, notify their school, daycare, or extracurricular activity providers. If you are changing school districts, start the enrolment process at the new school as early as possible to secure a spot.
Complete Address Change Checklist
Keeping track of whom you have given your new address to and who still needs it can get pretty confusing pretty quickly. Here is a checklist to work through:
- Canada Post mail forwarding
- CRA (My Account online)
- Service Canada
- ICBC / BC Services Card / Driver’s Licence
- MSP and extended health benefits
- Banks and credit cards
- Mortgage or rent payments
- Home, auto, and life insurance
- Employer / HR department
- Doctor, dentist, pharmacy, and specialists
- Children’s school and daycare
- Veterinarian
- Gym or club memberships
- Amazon and online shopping accounts
- Subscription services and meal kits
- Streaming and digital services
- Elections Canada
- Friends and family
Timeline for Address Changes
Start your address changes about two weeks before your move. Set up Canada Post mail forwarding first as a safety net, then work through the checklist above. Government agencies and financial institutions should be updated on or just before moving day. Subscriptions and less urgent services can be handled in the first week after you move. Keep your checklist after you have moved into your new home so if a few months down the road you cannot find your current phone bill, you will know exactly why.
Moving is a lot to manage, but you do not have to do it alone. At Simple Moves, we handle the physical side of your move so you can focus on the administrative tasks like updating your address. Get a free quote today and let us make your next move stress-free.
Complete Address Change Checklist for 2026
Changing your address when moving involves far more organizations than most people realize. Beyond the obvious updates to Canada Post and your bank, there are government agencies, insurance providers, subscriptions, medical professionals, and countless online accounts that all need your new information. A systematic checklist ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
Start your address changes two to three weeks before your move date for organizations that require advance notice, and complete the rest within the first week at your new home. Here is a comprehensive breakdown organized by priority to help you manage this task efficiently alongside all the other demands of a move.
Government and Official Address Changes
Government address changes should be your first priority as delays can affect tax returns, benefits, and identification documents. In BC, update your address with ICBC for your driver’s licence and vehicle registration — this can be done online through their website. Notify Service Canada to update your Social Insurance Number records, especially important if you receive Employment Insurance, CPP, or OAS benefits.
Update your address with the Canada Revenue Agency through your My Account portal to ensure tax documents and benefit payments reach you at the correct address. If you have a passport up for renewal, the new address can be included in your renewal application. Register with Elections Canada at your new address to maintain your voter registration. If you have children, update the Canada Child Benefit with your new address to avoid interruption in payments.
Financial Institution Address Changes
Update all financial institutions promptly to ensure statements, cards, and important notices reach you. Contact each bank, credit union, and investment firm to update your mailing address. Most major Canadian banks allow address changes through their online banking portal or mobile app, making this a quick task.
Do not forget credit card companies (if different from your bank), mortgage providers, insurance companies (home, auto, life, and health), your accountant or tax preparer, and any investment accounts (RRSP, TFSA, RESP providers). For insurance, your address change may affect your premiums — particularly home insurance — so contact your provider directly rather than just updating online. If you are moving to a new area, ensure your auto insurance reflects the new address as rates vary by location.
Setting Up Utilities and Services at Your New Address
Arrange utility transfers or new service setup at least one week before your move. Contact BC Hydro to transfer your account to your new address with a start date matching your move-in day. Set up or transfer FortisBC for natural gas if your new home uses it. Contact your internet and phone provider to schedule installation at the new location — book early as technician appointments can fill up, especially at month-end.
If you are moving within the same municipality, water and sewer services may transfer automatically through your property taxes or rental agreement. Confirm with your landlord or property manager. Set up or redirect home security monitoring, arrange waste collection if your new area has different service providers, and cancel any services at your old address effective the day after your move.
Updating Subscriptions and Online Accounts
In 2026, the average Canadian has dozens of online accounts with stored addresses. Start with the ones that ship physical goods: Amazon, subscription boxes, meal kit services, and any online retailers you use regularly. Update your address on food delivery apps (DoorDash, Skip The Dishes, Uber Eats) to ensure they route correctly to your new home.
Update your address on streaming services and digital accounts not for delivery but to avoid regional content restrictions and billing issues. Do not forget loyalty programs at grocery stores, pharmacies, and retailers — their marketing mail and coupon mailings will follow your old address until updated. For magazine and newspaper subscriptions, contact each publisher directly as changes can take four to six weeks to process.
Medical, Professional, and Community Updates
Notify your family doctor, dentist, optometrist, and any specialists of your new address. If you are moving to a different area and need new healthcare providers, start researching and registering early — many family doctors in Metro Vancouver have waitlists. Transfer pharmacy records to a location convenient to your new home.
Update your address with your employer’s HR department for payroll and tax purposes. If you are a member of professional associations, unions, or licensing bodies, update your records to maintain your membership and receive important communications. Schools and daycares need your new address for emergency contact records. Pet owners should update microchip registrations and veterinary records. Planning your move with a comprehensive checklist makes the address change process manageable alongside the physical relocation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Your Address
How do I set up mail forwarding with Canada Post?
Visit the Canada Post website and set up mail forwarding for six to twelve months. The service costs approximately $60 to $110 depending on duration and redirects mail from your old address to your new one, giving you time to update all accounts without missing important correspondence.
How long does it take for government address changes to take effect?
Most online government address changes take effect within a few business days, though updated documents (new driver’s licence, updated benefit payments) may take two to six weeks to process and arrive by mail.
What happens if I forget to change my address somewhere?
Mail forwarding through Canada Post catches most missed updates for the duration of the forwarding period. Beyond that, mail will be returned to sender. Periodically check for organizations you may have overlooked during the first few months at your new address.
Should I change my address before or after I move?
Start with organizations that require advance notice (Canada Post forwarding, utilities, internet) two to three weeks before the move. Complete the remaining changes during the first week at your new address. Government and financial institutions can be updated as soon as you have your new address confirmed.
Focus on your address changes — let us handle the heavy lifting. Simple Moves provides full-service moving so you can concentrate on settling into your new home. Call (604) 398-4680 or request your free quote.
Get a Free Moving Quote From Simple Moves
Simple Moves is a full-service moving company serving Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and all of British Columbia. We provide the experienced movers and the trucks — you do not need to rent a vehicle or recruit friends. Whether you are moving across the street or across the province, we make every move simple.
Call (604) 398-4680 or request a free quote online today.