Change of Address Checklist: Every Organisation You Must Notify When You Move

Why Getting Your Address Change Right Matters

A missed address update isn't just inconvenient. It can delay a tax refund, invalidate your car insurance, result in missed GP referral letters, or cause you to miss court summons you didn't know were issued. In extreme cases, old mail at a previous address can facilitate identity fraud.

The good news is that with a methodical approach, you can work through every notification in a few hours. This checklist covers every category of organisation you need to contact.

Before You Start

Set up a Royal Mail postal redirection before you move. A 12-month redirection for one person costs around £36 and catches everything you forget. It's not a substitute for notifying organisations — mail you redirect still goes to a secondary address, and many organisations won't update records unless you tell them directly.

Work through this list systematically. As you complete each notification, note the date and any reference numbers. Keep this record somewhere accessible — your Property Passport UK account is a useful place to store it alongside your completion documents.

Government and Statutory Bodies

**DVLA** — Update your driving licence address at gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence. Free, takes five minutes online. Also update your vehicle registration (V5C logbook) at gov.uk/change-address-v5c. Failure to keep your V5C up to date is a legal requirement and can invalidate insurance claims.

**HMRC** — Log into your Personal Tax Account at gov.uk/personal-tax-account or call HMRC. If you're self-employed, update via Self Assessment. If you receive tax credits, update separately.

**Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)** — If you receive Universal Credit, state pension, child benefit, or any other DWP payment, update your address through your online account or by calling the relevant benefit line.

**Electoral roll** — Register to vote at your new address at gov.uk/register-to-vote. You may also need to de-register at your old address, which happens automatically if you register elsewhere. Being on the electoral roll affects your credit score and eligibility for some financial products.

**Passport Office** — Your passport address isn't legally required to match your current address, but update your contact details with HMRC and DVLA rather than the Passport Office.

**TV Licensing** — Update your address at tvlicensing.co.uk. If you're leaving a property that had a licence, register for a refund on the unused months.

**NHS** — Register with a new GP at your new address. Your medical records are transferred automatically once you register. Also update your NHS login details at your new practice.

**DVLA (medical)** — If you have a medical driving licence condition, the DVLA must be notified of your address change separately from your standard licence update.

Financial Institutions

**Banks and building societies** — Update with all accounts you hold. Many banks now allow address changes through their app. Don't forget savings accounts, ISAs, and any accounts you rarely use.

**Mortgage lender** — Update your correspondence address, particularly if the property you're moving to is different from the one mortgaged.

**Credit card providers** — Each card issuer separately.

**Pension providers** — Both workplace pensions (through your employer's HR system) and any private or stakeholder pensions you hold directly.

**Investment platforms and stockbrokers** — ISAs, SIPPs, general investment accounts.

**Insurance companies** — Buildings and contents (critical — these must show your current address or claims can be rejected), car insurance (see note above on V5C), life insurance, health insurance, pet insurance, travel insurance policies.

**Premium Bonds** — Update via your NS&I account. Unclaimed prizes are held indefinitely, but you want correspondence going to the right address.

Employer and Professional

**Your employer** — HR and payroll must have your current address for P60 and payslip purposes. If you work from home, check whether your employer's insurance requires notification of your home address.

**Professional bodies and trade associations** — Any regulatory or licensing bodies relevant to your profession.

**Companies House** — If you're a company director, check whether your registered address needs updating.

**Student loan** — If you have an outstanding student loan, update your address with the Student Loans Company.

Utilities and Regular Bills

**Energy suppliers** — Gas and electricity, at both your old and new property.

**Water company** — Differs by region; find yours at water.org.uk.

**Broadband and phone** — Often transferred rather than just address-updated; see our utilities guide.

**Council tax** — Notify both the old and new council. Your old council may owe you a refund; your new council needs your details to raise a bill. See our separate guide on council tax when moving.

Subscriptions and Retail

**Online shopping accounts** — Amazon, eBay, and any other retail accounts where delivery defaults to a saved address. Update before your next order, not after.

**Streaming services** — Netflix, Spotify, Apple, and any others where your billing address must match your payment card.

**Magazine and newspaper subscriptions** — Print subscriptions in particular, though digital ones often bill to a card that must match your address.

**Loyalty cards and reward schemes** — Supermarket loyalty cards, retailer cards, airline miles accounts.

**Gym memberships** — Some gyms charge by location; others are national. Update so you have access to the correct facilities.

Medical and Personal

**Dentist** — Particularly important if you're moving to a new NHS dentist, where registration can have a waiting list.

**Optician** — Recall letters go to your address on record.

**Vet** — If you have pets, update your address with your vet and update any microchip registration details. Pet microchip registers in the UK (Petlog, Microchip Central, etc.) are updated separately from the vet.

**Schools** — If your children are at school, the school office and the local authority need your new address. This may also affect free school meals eligibility and transport arrangements.

**Children's clubs and activities** — Sports clubs, music lessons, scouts, and anything else your children are enrolled in.

Friends and Family

Don't forget to tell people directly. A physical change-of-address card sent to friends and family is both personal and practical. Include your new address, phone number if it's changed, and any relevant details for visiting.

Working through this list takes time but prevents months of diverted post, missed bills, and administrative headaches later. The Royal Mail redirection is your insurance; systematic notification is the actual solution.