Your Moving Checklist

• First, before you start packing anything, spend some time to discard stuff that you don't want or don't really need to move. Goodwill, The Salvation Army and other charities can use your old stuff plus it will save you the trouble of storing unneeded junk in your new home. Or, you can hold a garage sale to get rid of any things you don't need and don't want to take to your new home.
• Keep track of your moving expenses.  Some may be tax deductible.

• Obtain an IRS Change of Address form.
• Go to the IRS website for Form 8822.

• Gather moving supplies, boxes, tape, rope, bubble wrap.

• If moving a distance, make any necessary travel arrangements like airline, hotel, and rental car reservations. Or, plan your travel route if driving.

• Call a moving company or make truck rental reservations to move yourself.

• Place legal and insurance records in a safe and accessible place including birth and baptismal records, passport, Social Security Card.

• Check for the registration procedures for enrolling your children in their new schools.  Also, arrange to have school records/transcripts transferred to your children's new school district and/or daycare.

• Obtain medical and dental records, x-rays, prescription histories, and shot records for your family. Also, ask your doctor and dentist for referrals and transfer prescriptions.

• Obtain medical and vaccination records for your pets.

• Update your address information with the US Postal Service.

• Give change of address mailers to:
  • Charge Accounts
  • Magazine Subscriptions (usually require several weeks notice)
  • Banks
  • Brokerage Firms
  • Insurance companies (Health, Life, Auto, Homeowners)
  • Doctor(s) / Dentist
  • Health Club
  • Frequent Flyer Clubs
  • Mail Order Clubs
  • Credit Cards
  • Employer (present & past)
  • Lawyer (s)
  • Bureau/Department Of Motor Vehicles
  • Alumni/Professional Associations
  • Friends & Relatives
  • State and Federal Tax authorities and any other government agencies as needed.
• You can do this by sending them Address Change Notification Cards or, for magazine publishers and business mailers, by following their change of address instructions.

• Contact health clubs or other organizations you have joined. Ask how you can end, sell or transfer your membership.

• Make maps of your new neighborhood to familiarize yourself and your family and friends with your new area.

• Call your various delivery services (for example, the newspaper) and set a date to cancel your subscription or deliveries.

• Plan your moving budget. Create a "move file" to keep track of estimates, receipts and other important information. Save moving receipts (many moving expenses are tax deductible).

• Decide what to move and what not to move. Go through the entire household and either sell, discard or donate unneeded items.

• Ask friends to return loaned items. Also, return borrowed items.

• If you are going to be taking your draperies and/or any rugs or carpets, have them cleaned before you move and then pack them for protection.

• Inform gas, electric, water, cable, telephone and trash removal services of your move. Sign up for services at your new address. Contact all utilities for service disconnection at your old home and connection at your new home.
• Make sure to keep you telephone service through your moving day.  You may need it.

• Begin packing seldom used items and dispose of unwanted items through charities or give them to friends.

• Arrange for help on moving day.

• Confirm travel reservations (if any).

• Arrange to close or transfer your bank account(s), if appropriate.
  • Checking
  • Savings
  • Credit Line

• Collect valuables from safe-deposit box. Make copies of any important documents before mailing or hand carry them to your new address.

• Make sure all library books have been returned and that all dry cleaning or items out for repair have been picked up.

• Settle any bills with local businesses.

• Make sure you know any arrangements required by the Condo Building Management or Association related to your move-in.  For example,
  • A Move-In Security Deposit to cover potential damages
  • Scheduling/Reserving your Move-In Time(s)
  • Reserving a dedicated Elevator (often requires padding)
  • Paperwork required before you can move in

• Set aside moving materials like a tape measure, pocket knife, packing boxes, tape and markers.

• Pick up rental truck or meet movers on day of move.

• Check oil and gas in your car.

• If traveling, make sure you have tickets, charge cards, and other essentials.

Prepare your “First night survival kit”

• Food/Kitchen supplies
  • Snacks, sandwiches
  • Bottled water
  • Plastic plates, cups, utensils
  • Can opener
  • Paper towels
  • Garbage bags
• Toiletries
  • Toothbrushes, tooth paste
  • Soap, shampoo
  • Toilet paper
  • Contact lens case, solution
  • Towels
  • Hygiene products
• Medication
  • Prescription medicine
  • First aid kit, bandages, peroxide

• Tools
  • Flashlights, Candles, matches
  • Screwdriver
  • Pliers
  • Scissors
  • Light bulbs
• Pet’s items
  • Food
  • Leash
  • Water dish
  • Any medication
• Clothing
  • Clothing for a few days
  • Sleeping bag, blankets
• Children’s items
  • Baby food
  • Diapers
  • Favorite toys

• Pay close attention to the movers paperwork to ensure nothing is missed.

• Supervise the movers to make sure your instructions are understood.

• Check closets, drawers, shelves, attic and garage to be sure they are empty.

• Double check every room, closet and cabinet one last time before deciding everything is loaded.

• Leave a note with your new address in the house so that future residents can forward any stray mail.

• Keep a friend or family member informed of your plans and "whereabouts" in case of an emergency or unforeseen event.

• Leave any house or mail keys and garage door transmitters for the next owner or tenant.

• Have your exterior locks changed.

• Locate the hospitals, police stations and fire stations near your home.

• Find a veterinarian to care for your pet in your new location

• Subscribe to the local newspaper.

• Checkout local places of worship

• Select new doctor(s), dentist and hospital.

• Find local child care options in your neighborhood.

• Hire a landscape firm or get the necessary equipment to keep your landscaping in shape.

• Contract a home security company to monitor your house.  Setup new alarm codes and passwords.

• Select a bank in your new location, establish accounts, and obtain a safety deposit box.

• Transfer memberships in:
  • churches
  • clubs
  • civic or social organizations.

• Renew your driver's license, auto registration and tags.

• Check with you local municipality to see whether you need any special parking sticker for you car.

• Register to vote.

• Also - Consider taking precautions before you move your own pets into your new home (especially where the previous owner may have had pets).  Sometimes there may be fleas, ants, etc. and/or parasites which got left behind in the move.
  • For example, Ortho makes a "fogger" and other products which you can read about at the following:
  • http://www.ortho.com
  • Look under "Indoor Insect Control".
  • And, make sure to read the usage instructions and cautions before you use any of these or similar products in your home .

• Most homeowners don't understand the maintenance required to keep home systems and appliances up and running. A home, just like a car, requires routine maintenance. Think of home maintenance like changing the oil in your car: you know you're in for trouble if you drive far beyond the suggested mileage between changes. Your home is the same way: take care of your home, and it will take care of you.