AddressGenie

Don't Forget™ by AddressGenie

Free Moving Checklist: 128 Tasks From 8 Weeks Out to Move-In Day

The only checklist with built-in tools to compare ISPs, pre-fill IRS forms, and transfer utilities — all without leaving the page. Free forever.

  • Complete tasks inside the checklist — compare ISPs, generate IRS forms, look up utility providers
  • Saves your progress — log in anytime, from any device, pick up where you left off
  • Sends gentle reminders timed to your move date
  • Covers USPS, utilities, insurance, government, healthcare, schools, and more
  • Free forever — no trial, no paywall, no strings

Your Moving Checklist Is Ready

Join 250,000+ movers who stayed organized

Free forever. No credit card. Takes 30 seconds.

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms.

Already have an account? Access My Checklist

128
tasks tracked
14
categories
5
built-in tools
250K+
movers served

Why This Isn't Just Another Moving Checklist

Most moving checklists are static PDFs you lose in a drawer. Don't Forget™ is an interactive tool that tracks your progress, syncs across devices, and tells you exactly what to do each week until you're fully settled.

Access Anywhere

Phone, tablet, computer. Your progress syncs automatically across all devices.

Personalized Timeline

Tasks organized by your actual move date—8 weeks out to move-in day.

Two Views

See tasks by timeline (when to do them) or by category (what type they are).

Optional Reminders

Get email nudges so nothing falls through the cracks. Turn on or off anytime.

Download PDF

Want a printout too? Download your checklist as a PDF anytime.

Always Free

No credit card. No hidden fees. No catch. Ever.

Your Complete Moving Checklist: Every Task, Week by Week

Here's everything you need to do when moving, organized by when to do it. Tasks with 🔧 can be completed right inside the checklist. Or create a free account to track progress and get reminders.

8 Weeks Before Your Move

This is the critical planning phase. Start here to give yourself enough runway.

  • Research and hire a moving company. Get at least 3 estimates from licensed, insured movers. Book early — peak season (May–September) fills up fast.
  • Create a moving budget. Factor in movers, packing supplies, security deposits, travel, temporary housing, and a 10–15% contingency.
  • Start decluttering room by room. Sell, donate, or discard items you won't take. Less to move = lower costs.
  • Organize important documents. Gather medical records, school records, financial docs, and legal papers into one folder you'll move yourself.
  • Take inventory of valuables. Photo or video your belongings for insurance purposes.
  • Research your new area. Identify nearby hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, schools, and emergency services.

6 Weeks Before Your Move

  • Notify your employer. Inform HR of your new address for payroll, tax documents (W-2), and benefits.
  • Research schools in your new area. Contact new schools about enrollment and arrange transfer of academic records.
  • Get packing supplies. Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, markers, wardrobe boxes, and moving blankets.
  • Schedule pet health exams. Ensure vaccinations are current, get copies of vet records.
  • Request time off work for moving day. Plan for at least 2 days — one for the move, one for settling in.
  • Begin packing non-essentials. Start with seasonal items, books, decorations, guest room, and storage areas.

4 Weeks Before Your Move — Critical Notification Phase

This is when the real address-change work begins. You need to notify dozens of organizations. Tasks with 🔧 open built-in tools right inside the checklist.

USPS & Mail

  • File USPS change of address. Submit online at usps.com ($1.10 fee) or free at your local post office. Forwards mail 6–12 months.
  • Update magazine and newspaper subscriptions. USPS only forwards these for 60 days — contact publishers directly.
  • Notify important personal contacts. Friends, family, and anyone who regularly sends you mail.

Banks & Financial Institutions

  • Update all bank accounts. Checking, savings, money market — most allow online address updates.
  • Update credit card companies. Every card, including store credit cards.
  • Notify investment and retirement accounts. 401(k) providers, IRA custodians, brokerage accounts.
  • Update loan providers. Mortgage, auto loan, student loan, personal loan companies.
  • Update payment services. Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, CashApp.

Utilities & Home Services

  • Schedule electric transfer. Disconnect at old address, connect at new. 🔧 Provider Lookup
  • Schedule gas transfer. Same paired cancel/setup tracking. 🔧 Provider Lookup
  • Schedule water transfer. Contact your local provider. 🔧 Provider Lookup
  • Set up trash & recycling service. Auto-detects municipal vs. private hauler at your new address. 🔧 Auto-Detect
  • Compare ISPs and set up internet at new address. See every provider at your new address — speeds, prices, contract terms — side by side. 🔧 ISP Comparison
  • Cancel internet at old address. Paired with new setup — we track both. 🔧 Paired Tracking
  • Cancel lawn care, cleaning, pest control. And any other recurring home services.

Insurance

  • Update auto insurance. Rates change by zip code; your new location may affect premiums.
  • Update homeowners/renters insurance. Coverage must match your new property.
  • Update health, dental, and vision insurance. Verify your doctors are still in-network.
  • Update life insurance policies. Beneficiary addresses too.

Government & Legal

  • Update DMV — driver's license and vehicle registration. Required within 30 days in most states.
  • Notify the IRS. Pre-fill Form 8822, download a ready-to-mail PDF with the correct IRS address for your state. 🔧 IRS Form Helper
  • Update Social Security Administration. Especially important if you receive benefits.
  • Update voter registration. Register at your new address through your state's election office.

Healthcare

  • Notify your primary care doctor and dentist.
  • Notify specialists. Dermatologist, allergist, therapist, etc.
  • Transfer prescriptions. Move to a pharmacy near your new home.
  • Request copies of medical records. Especially if changing providers.

Schools, Employers & Subscriptions

  • Notify current school and register at new school. Bring immunization records and transcripts.
  • Update employer HR/payroll. Current and previous employers if expecting W-2s.
  • Update streaming and subscription services. Netflix, Amazon, meal delivery, subscription boxes.
  • Update gym, club, and organization memberships. Transfer or cancel.
  • Send moving announcements to friends and family. Free E-Cards via Gmail & Outlook. 🔧 Heads Up™

2 Weeks Before Your Move

  • Confirm moving company details. Verify dates, times, addresses, and special handling instructions.
  • Update remaining online accounts. Maps/GPS apps, ride-share apps, delivery apps.
  • Begin using up perishable food. Plan meals around what's in your fridge and freezer.
  • Take photos of electronics setups. Photo the back of your TV and router before disconnecting.
  • Pack valuables separately. Jewelry, documents, family photos — move these yourself.

1 Week Before Your Move

  • Pack a moving-day essentials box. Toiletries, medications, phone chargers, snacks, clean clothes, tools.
  • Clean and defrost refrigerator. At least 24 hours before the move.
  • Disassemble furniture. Bag and label all hardware.
  • Arrange childcare and pet care for moving day.
  • Withdraw cash for tipping movers. $20–50 per mover for a local move.

Moving Day Checklist

  • Final walkthrough of every room. Check closets, cabinets, garage, attic, basement, mailbox.
  • Read and sign all moving paperwork. Bill of lading, inventory sheets — get copies.
  • Take meter readings at old and new home. Protects you from billing disputes.
  • Document condition of both homes with photos. For security deposits and insurance claims.
  • Supervise loading and unloading. Direct furniture placement and note any damage immediately.

After Move-In: First Week Tasks

  • Verify USPS mail forwarding is working. You should see forwarded mail within 7–10 business days.
  • Test all utilities. Run faucets, test outlets, check HVAC, verify internet.
  • Change locks on your new home. You don't know who has copies of the old keys.
  • Update address on remaining accounts. Loyalty programs, rewards apps, alumni associations.
  • Register to vote at your new address.
  • Get a new driver's license (if new state). Required within 30 days in most states.
  • Meet your neighbors. They're your first line of help in an emergency.

Want to track your progress automatically?

Create a free account to check off tasks, get timed reminders, sync across devices, and download a printable PDF.

Start My Free Checklist →

Built-In Moving Tools

Complete Tasks Without Leaving the Checklist

Every other checklist tells you what to do. Ours lets you do it — right here. These tools open as side panels when you reach the relevant task.

ISP Comparison & Setup

Compare speeds, prices, contracts at your new address

IRS Form 8822 Generator

Pre-filled PDF, correct mailing address by state

Utility Transfer

Gas, electric, water — provider lookup + paired tracking

Trash Service

Auto-detects municipal vs private hauler

Moving Announcements

Free E-Cards via Gmail & Outlook

📡 How the ISP Comparison tool works

When you reach the "set up internet" task in your checklist, a side panel shows every internet provider available at your new address. You see speeds, monthly costs, contract terms, and equipment fees side by side. Choose a provider, and the checklist guides you through signup. Already cancelled your old service? The tool tracks both tasks as a pair and prompts you if one is incomplete.

📋 How the IRS Form 8822 helper works

Your name, both addresses, and move date auto-fill from your profile. You add your SSN — which stays in your browser and is never stored or transmitted to our servers. The tool generates a downloadable PDF with a cover page showing the correct IRS mailing address for your state. Print, sign, and mail. The task marks itself complete.

How utility transfer and paired tracking works

Gas, electric, and water tasks are paired: cancel at old address and set up at new. The checklist tracks both as a linked pair — if you cancel old service but haven't set up new, you'll see an amber prompt reminding you. Provider lookup gives you the direct phone number or website for your specific utility company. Trash service auto-detects whether your new address uses municipal collection or a private hauler.

Who to Notify When You Move: The Complete List

Filing a USPS change of address only forwards your mail for up to 12 months — it doesn't actually update your address with banks, insurance, the DMV, or anyone else. Here's the complete notification list by urgency.

🔴 Before moveUSPS, utilities, banks, credit cards, insurance, employer, DMV
🟡 Within 2 wksIRS (Form 8822), Social Security, healthcare, schools, voter registration, subscriptions
🟢 After settlingOnline retailers, memberships, loyalty programs, friends & family, pet microchip

USPS Mail Forwarding vs. Actually Updating Your Address

USPS forwarding redirects physical mail to your new address for up to 12 months. But your bank, insurance company, the DMV, the IRS — they all still have your old address on file. After forwarding expires, critical documents go to your old home. You need to update each organization separately, or use AddressGenie to update 6,000+ at once.

Skip the hassle

AddressGenie updates your address with USPS and 6,000+ organizations in one form — banks, utilities, insurance, subscriptions, and government agencies. One form, $39.95, done in minutes.

See How It Works →

Interstate Moving Guide

What to Do When Moving to a New State

Moving across state lines adds tasks that in-state movers don't face. Here's what changes — and what most checklists miss.

Driver's license and vehicle registration — most states require you to update within 30 days of establishing residency. Deadlines, fees, and required documents vary by state. Some states require a smog check or vehicle inspection before registration.

Voter registration — you must register at your new address to vote in local and state elections. Most states offer online registration. Deadlines before elections vary from 15 to 30 days.

Auto and home insurance — rates change by state and zip code. Moving from a low-rate state to a high-rate state can significantly increase premiums. Contact your insurer before the move to avoid coverage gaps.

Healthcare network — if you have employer-sponsored or ACA insurance, verify your doctors and hospitals are in-network at your new location. A move to a new state qualifies as a Special Enrollment Period for marketplace plans.

IRS notification — file Form 8822 to update your address. This ensures tax refunds and correspondence reach your new home. Pre-fill Form 8822 inside our checklist →

Moving Checklist FAQ

Who do I need to notify when I move?

You need to notify USPS (mail forwarding), the DMV (driver's license and vehicle registration), the IRS (Form 8822), Social Security Administration, all banks and credit cards, insurance companies (auto, home, health, life), utility providers (electric, gas, water, internet), your employer, healthcare providers, schools, subscription services, and voter registration. Our free checklist tracks all 128 notification tasks across 14 categories.

Can I complete moving tasks inside the checklist?

Yes. Don't Forget™ is the only moving checklist with built-in execution tools — compare ISPs at your new address, pre-fill IRS Form 8822 and download a ready-to-mail PDF, look up utility providers with direct phone numbers and links, and transfer services with paired cancel/setup tracking. Tasks mark themselves complete when you finish.

How long does USPS mail forwarding last?

Permanent USPS mail forwarding lasts 12 months. Temporary forwarding lasts 185 days (extendable to 12 months). After expiration, undeliverable mail is returned to sender. Important: first-class and priority mail forward, but most magazines and periodicals stop after just 60 days.

What's the difference between USPS forwarding and updating my address?

USPS forwarding redirects physical mail for up to 12 months but doesn't notify any organization of your new address. Banks, insurance, the DMV, utilities — they all still have your old address on file. You need to update each one separately, or use AddressGenie to update 6,000+ organizations in one form.

What happens if I forget to change my address?

Failing to update your address can lead to missed bills and late fees, insurance coverage gaps, lost tax refunds, identity theft from mail at your old address, expired vehicle registration, and inability to vote. Most states legally require DMV updates within 30 days of moving.

Can I change my address everywhere at once?

AddressGenie files USPS and notifies 6,000+ organizations across 20+ categories in a single form for $39.95 — banks, credit cards, utilities, insurance, government agencies, and more. For free, Don't Forget™ tracks all 128 notification tasks and reminds you what's left.

What should I do when moving to a new state?

Update your driver's license and vehicle registration (required within 30 days in most states), register to vote at your new address, verify healthcare providers are in-network at your new location, update auto and home insurance (rates vary by state), and file IRS Form 8822. Our checklist's built-in IRS form helper pre-fills and generates the PDF for you.

How do I set up internet at a new address?

Inside our checklist, the ISP Comparison tool shows every internet provider available at your new address with speeds, monthly prices, and contract terms side by side. Choose a provider and the checklist guides you through setup — plus tracks cancellation of your old service as a paired task.

How do I notify the IRS when I move?

File IRS Form 8822 (Change of Address). Inside our checklist, the form pre-fills with your name, both addresses, and move date from your profile. You add your SSN (browser-only, never stored), then download a ready-to-mail PDF with the correct IRS mailing address for your state.

Is there a free printable moving checklist?

Yes. Don't Forget™ has 128 tasks across 14 categories, free forever. Use the interactive version with progress tracking, timed reminders, and built-in tools — or download a printable PDF. No credit card required.

Ready to Update Your Address Everywhere?

The checklist tells you who to notify. AddressGenie actually does it for you — one form updates your address with USPS and 6,000+ companies including banks, insurers, subscriptions, and government agencies.

See How AddressGenie Works →

Go From Overwhelmed to In Control

Your free moving checklist is ready. 128 tasks, 14 categories, 5 built-in tools — and zero things forgotten.

100% free. No credit card. No catch.

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms.

Questions? Email us