Moving to a new home is exciting, but there are many tasks that need to be done before, during, and after a relocation that it can also be very overwhelming! One of the most important tasks after moving from another state to North Carolina or moving to a new home within the state is completing a change of address with your NCDMV records, utilities, bank accounts, insurance and more.
Changing your address at multiple agencies and organizations can be a headache, but getting an address change in North Carolina doesn’t have to be complicated. Many of your address changes can conveniently be updated online.
Take care of your address changes as soon as you can, as delays can have negative effects on your mail delivery and other essential services. Here’s a guide to help you quickly and easily work on the most important steps for changing your address in North Carolina.
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Change Address with North Carolina Post Office
The first place to update your address after a move is with the post office. You have two options:
- Change your address online at USPS.com/move for $1.10 (The fee is to make sure you are the one updating your address and it isn’t a form of identity theft).
- Visit your local post office and request the Mover’s Guide including the PS Form 3575 to return with your new address
When you update your address with the post office, the post office will automatically set up mail forwarding from your old address to your new address so you don’t miss out on anything mailed to you at your old address. The service may last a few days up to 2.5 years, depending on the option you choose. Make sure you give yourself enough time to request address updates with all of your accounts and services – an easy way to do this is to contact each company to change your address whenever you receive a piece of forwarded mail.
North Carolina DMV | NCDMV
The second most important place to make sure your address is up to date is the Division of Motor Vehicles. If you’re getting a new address within North Carolina, in most cases, you can complete a North Carolina DMV change of address online or in person. If you don’t require other services at the NCDMV we recommend making the update online because it’s easier and faster!
Updating your NCDMV records is necessary because your vehicle documents and driver’s license are usually mailed to you, plus the government office needs to know where you live for identity purposes.
Many other services at the Division of Motor Vehicles can be completed online if your driver’s license and registrations are up to date with the correct address, so updating it now will help you in the future, too. There’s nothing worse than needing to renew a license or registration and not being able to do it quickly because you forgot to update your address when you moved.
You have 60 days to update your address when moving to a new home in NC or relocating to NC from another state, you need to:
- Change your address with the NCDMV
- Order a new or duplicate license or ID card
- Order a new or duplicate vehicle registration
Update Your NC Driver’s License & ID
If you already had a North Carolina License but you just need to update it to your new NC address, you can order a duplicate card online and enter your new address to update the license or identification card. The license or ID they send will have your new address on it.
Or, you can also visit an N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles driver license office to order a duplicate license. It is $14 for a duplicate license or ID card whether you make the request online or in person at the NCDMV.
Update Your Vehicle Registration in North Carolina
Your vehicle registration addresses are completed at the same time as your driver’s license address updates. To get registration cards with your new address on them, you’ll need to have your vehicle’s license plate number and the last five characters of the VIN. You can find the VIN on your vehicle or on your registration card.
Click here to order a duplicate vehicle registration card online.
Registration addresses can also be updated at a local license plate agency, by calling (919) 715-7000, or by mailing an Application for Duplicate Registration Certificate (MVR-10) along with the $21.50 fee to:
Moving to North Carolina from Another State
If you’ve relocated to the Tar Heel State from another state, you’ll need to get a North Carolina driver’s license, and title and register your vehicle with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. Visit an NCDMV driver license office with the following:
- Your out-of-state license or one document (with full name) that proves your date of birth and identity
- Social Security card
- A document to verify your physical address in North Carolina
- Document proving liability insurance coverage from an insurer licensed in NC
If you were not born in the United States, you will need a document with your full name to prove your legal and lawful status in the country.
You can save time by making an appointment online before showing up at the DMV.
Tax Agencies Address Updates
When you move, you’ll want to make sure the IRS and North Carolina Department of Revenue (DOR) have your new address.
IRS
You have a few options for notifying the Internal Revenue Service of your address change (important to ensure you receive any tax refunds owed to you! Or for any IRS correspondence).
- In most cases, you can update your address with the IRS when you file your next tax return. If you are waiting for a refund or receive regular correspondence from the IRS, you may want to update it sooner.
- Complete Form 8822 for Change of Address to update your address online
- Send a letter including your full name, old and new address, social security number, and signature to the address where you filed your last return.
North Carolina Department of Revenue
You can update your address when you mail your return, by filling out this form online, or by phone by calling the NC DOR at 1-877-252-3052. Make sure you have your social security number and new address ready when you call.
How to Change Address with Your Utilities
As you get ready to move, ask your current utility companies to perform a final reading on your gas, water, and electric meters. Keep a copy and provide the companies with your forwarding address to ensure you don’t get any surprises later with late fees because they couldn’t send you final bills.
When setting up the utilities at your new home, you’ll want to remember to use your new address! You’d be surprised how many people accidentally give these service providers their previous address – often because they’re setting up the accounts before they’ve physically made the relocation. Make your life easier by setting them up with your new mailing address.
Update Your Address with Your Insurance Companies
You’ll also need to update your address with your car insurance and homeowners insurance. If your car insurance provider is in another state, they may not be licensed to insure North Carolina residents – in which case you’ll need to find a new car insurance provider.
Most car and homeowner’s insurance providers offer online account access to update addresses, or you can call your company to have the address updated by phone.
You’ll also want to check and update your information on health insurance, life insurance, or disability insurance policies.
Change Address on Your Bank Accounts
Log in to your bank accounts online and update your address details. If you don’t have online banking or can’t find where to make the changes, call the customer service center for assistance. If your bank has a branch near your new location, you can also visit to update your address.
If you have been banking in another state with a bank that doesn’t have branches in North Carolina, you may want to consider moving to a new bank so you have local access to branches near your new home.
Don’t forget to check your retirement accounts, investment accounts, and any other financial accounts that require your address.
Change Your Voter Registration
When you move within your state, you need to update your voter registration at least 25 days before the election with your new address. If you’re moving to North Carolina from another state, you’ll need to register to vote in NC.
If you prefer to make changes by mail :
- Fill out and mail in the National Mail Voter Registration Form.
Social Security and Medicare
You can change your address with Medicare and/or Social Security Administration by visiting https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/change-of-address.html. Changing your address online is the fastest method, but you may also call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office.
Passport Address Changes
You might be surprised to learn that you do not need to keep your address updated on your passport. When it comes time to renew your passport, you can update your address then.
How to Let Friends and Family Know About Your New Address
If you use Facebook, send private messages to anyone who would need to know you’ve changed your address. It’s a quick and instant option for notifying everyone you know. Alternatively, you can send out cards to your friends and families informing them of your move and updated address. For fun, you could include a photo of your new home.
Prepare for a Change of Address in North Carolina
It may seem like a lot of effort, but by following the links or phone numbers in this guide, you can quickly get your address updated in North Carolina. Do your best to plan ahead so you don’t miss anything important in the mail. If you miss payments because it takes a long time to receive mail from accounts you forgot to update after you set up mail forwarding, you could end up with late payments on accounts that damage your credit score.
As mentioned, we recommend starting your address changes with the United States Post Office, that way, even before you’ve had a chance to update every individual account with the new information, the mail they send to your old address will automatically forward to your new address.
Of course, when you change your address, that means you’ll also need to physically relocate everything you own to your new home. We’re happy to help with your upcoming move and eliminate the stress associated with packing, loading the truck, and driving to your new home. Call Make a Move Today at 704-378-8588 or fill out a form for a free quote online.
