If you don’t want to become a victim of identity theft or lose any mail, learning how to change your address when you move to a different Orange County town should be among your top priorities. While you will have to notify a lot of people and institutions, filing a change of address (COA) is pretty straightforward, so let’s go over all the details you should know.
Why Is It Important to Learn How to Change Your Address When You Move to a Different Orange County Town?
Even though the average American moves about a dozen times in their life, many people still don’t know how to update an address. Although it might seem insignificant compared to other tasks on your to-do list, updating your personal information on time will protect you from identity theft. While opening other people’s mail is prohibited by law, that in itself won’t stop someone from misusing all the important documents that keep getting delivered to the old place. Paperwork, in general, is one of the most commonly forgotten things to pack, which makes it even more important to ensure everything is accounted for.
What Is the Best Way to Notify an Address Change in OC?
Although there are several places to change your address when you move, it’s best to start with the US Postal Service. The government agency is responsible for handling almost all of your mail, so you’ll want to ensure it has your most current mailing details. There are a few different ways to update this information, the most obvious one being submitting the COA request in person. However, many people prefer to avoid going to the post office. In that case, you can either call their customer service at the 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or submit a COA request at the official USPS website.
Beware of Scamming Websites When Changing Your Home Number
Why did the USPS charge me $40.00 to file a COA? We hate to break it to you, but you probably visited the wrong website. Similar to how some of the more common moving scams work, these fake websites are very good at ripping off unsuspecting people. Even those relocating to one of the safest cities in Orange County can fall prey to these fraudulent activities, so make sure you are in the right place before you disclose your credit card details.
How Do You Change Your Mailing Address When You Move?
While dealing with bureaucracy is usually pretty annoying, changing a home number is actually very straightforward. Although the process can vary slightly depending on how you file the COA, the basics are almost exactly the same. Those planning on visiting the local post office will pick up a free Mover’s Guide, which contains the PS Form 3575 and instructions on how to fill it out. The guide sometimes even comes with discount coupons for local Orange County movers, which could significantly reduce your relocation expenses.
While submitting the request on the website is more convenient, you’ll need a valid MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express credit or debit card for the $1.10 identity validation fee. Whatever option you choose, you’ll be required to enter some essential information. This includes all the details about both addresses, your full name, email, and phone number. You also have to select the starting date on the COA and state whether the update is permanent or just temporary (more on this later).
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Once you submit the form, the service will send a Move Validation Letter (MVL) to your current residence as a way to validate the request. If you filed the COA at the post office, the agency would deliver a Welcoming Kit or a Customer Notification Letter (CNL) to your new home within five days of the starting date. These documents contain your 16-digit Confirmation Code, which you’ll use for all future changes. On the other hand, those who submitted the order online can find this number in the confirmation email.
Whatever you do, try to hold on to it. Duplicates are rarely given out for obvious security reasons, as the code allows you to make up to two changes per day. If it falls into the wrong hand, it could easily be tampered with and cause you even more relocation stress. While the USPS might agree to replace your code, know that getting a new copy will cost you $60.00.
You Can Also File a Temporary COA Request
As we mentioned earlier, the USPS even has an option that allows you to forward your mail temporarily. If you’re relocating to Irvine for just a few months, selecting this option will allow you to still receive letters and packages without changing the residence permanently. You only have to choose the temporary option on the form and enter the dates you want the forwarding to begin and end. The length can be anywhere from 15 days to six months, but this can be extended to an entire year, saving you from having to file several COA requests. To see how the process of COA could potentially look like, check out the video below.
When Should You Change Your Address When Moving?
When should you file the COA request? While you might be tempted to delay the task, remember that this is one of the most important things you have to do before relocating. The USPS allows you to update your mailing details for up to 90 days in the future, meaning you can set the new home number as soon as you’re done house-hunting. You don’t have to rush it, though, as two weeks are enough to notify all the crucial institutions and services.
Can I File a COA After Relocating to My New Family House?
While it only takes a few minutes to submit a COA form, it has to be one of the most common things people forget to do when they move to a different town. It’s very easy to underestimate the importance of this task when you’re preoccupied with other relocation tasks. For example, not hiring professional movers in Orange County, CA, will probably cause you to delay the request, as you’ll need a lot more time to deal with all the items on the packing list.
If you’re relocating in a hurry or accidentally forget to file a COA, know that you can forward mail for up to 30 days in the past. Letters and packages that get returned to the USPS won’t be discarded immediately, meaning you can still receive your stuff even if you submit the COA request a bit late. However, considering the much smaller forwarding window, this should be one of the first things you do after relocating.
What to Do When Changing the Address for the Whole Family at the Same Time?
If you and your family plan to relocate soon, the USPS allows you to update everyone’s mailing information with a single request. Although having this option will certainly help with the paperwork, know that there are a few exceptions. For starters, all the household members would need to have the same surname. If your partner has a different one, you will all have to file the request separately. Additionally, everyone will have to move to the same residence, meaning nobody can stay behind at the old place.
Where to Change Your Address When You Move to a House in a Different OC Town?
Although notifying the USPS was the most important step, many other places and services will also need to be updated about the changes you made. If you can’t notify everyone before the relocation, prioritize the most critical institutions and go from there. Some of the places that should be informed about the COA include:
- Government agencies – While you might not be leaving the county, let alone the state, you still have to notify the IRS, DMV, and the Social Security Administration.
- Utility companies – If you want to have electricity and running water as soon as you move in, it’s important to notify all the key service providers in advance. Forgetting to do it on time could leave your new home completely uninhabitable for a few days.
- Financial institutions – As we already mentioned, failing to notify the bank about these changes could potentially cause your financial data to leak, exposing you to identity theft.
- Insurance companies – To keep the insurance even after relocating, you will have to update all active policies with the most recent information. This is particularly important when hiring Orange County, CA, movers, as their service usually only provides basic coverage. If any fragile items get damaged during transport, the insurance will allow you to get fully reimbursed.
- Employers – Unless you have to move because the company you’re working for is planning a commercial relocation, don’t forget to inform the employer about the COA. If the relocation impacts your work hours, this will keep you from getting in trouble for no good reason.
- Personal contacts – Don’t leave your friends and family in the dark about the move. Try to notify them either through social media or by throwing a kickass moving away party.
Let Our Local Movers in Orange County, CA, Handle Your Move While You Deal With All the Paperwork
Relocating will require you to notify many institutions, services, and contacts, which is probably going to take a lot longer than you might have initially anticipated. Considering most of these are usually done in the last couple of weeks before the move, you won’t have nearly as much time for other tasks. You’ll still have to pack furniture and organize a move-out cleaning session no matter what, so you might have to contact professional movers in Orange County, California, to assist you. This will free up your schedule to deal with all the paperwork while still allowing you to move efficiently.
If you want to hire one of the best movers in Orange County, CA, you can’t go wrong with Orange County Moving Services. Our company’s residential relocation will help you move to any Orange County town without much trouble while booking the packing services will ensure all your belongings are properly secured. This includes both small and large items, meaning you won’t have to worry about pretty much anything. We are also one of the more affordable movers in Orange County, CA, meaning you won’t have to spend a fortune to get some high-quality services. Don’t believe us? Contact us today, request a free quote, and see for yourself.