Address Change Checklist for Moving in BC

Updating your address after a move is one of those tasks that feels simple but turns out to be surprisingly long. Miss a few and you will be dealing with missed mail, expired documents, and administrative headaches for months.

Here is a complete checklist for BC residents.

Legal Requirements (Do These First)

ICBC — Driver's Licence and Vehicle Registration Required by law within 10 days of moving. Update online at icbc.com or in person at an Autoplan broker. Failure to update can affect your insurance coverage.

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Update your address online through My Account, by phone, or on your next tax return. Important for tax refunds, benefit payments (CCB, GST/HST credit), and correspondence.

Elections BC Update your voter registration at elections.bc.ca. This ensures you are registered to vote in your new riding.

Government and Benefits

• Service Canada — EI, CPP, OAS, and other federal benefits
• BC Services Card — Update at a Service BC location
• Passport Canada — Update your address for correspondence (not on the passport itself)
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — If you are a permanent resident or have immigration documents, update your address promptly
• Veterans Affairs (if applicable)

Financial

• Banks and credit unions — All accounts, credit cards, and loans
• Investment accounts — RRSP, TFSA, brokerage accounts
• Insurance providers — Home, auto, life, health, and dental
• Canada Savings Bonds (if applicable)

Mail and Subscriptions

• Canada Post — Set up mail forwarding at canadapost.ca (fee applies; covers most first-class mail for up to 12 months)
• Magazines and subscriptions — Update each individually
• Online shopping accounts — Amazon, Costco, and any other accounts with saved addresses
• Loyalty programs — Air Miles, PC Optimum, Aeroplan, etc.

Utilities and Services

• BC Hydro — Transfer or set up new service
• FortisBC — Natural gas service
• Internet and cable provider — Shaw/Rogers, Telus, Novus, Vmedia, etc.
• Cell phone provider — Update billing address
• Water and sewer — Handled by your municipality; contact city hall

Healthcare

• BC Health Authority — Update your address with your regional health authority
• Family doctor and dentist — Update your records
• Pharmacies — Update your address for prescriptions and benefits
• Specialists — Any ongoing specialist care

Employment and Education

• Employer — Payroll, T4s, and benefits
• Schools — If you have children, notify their current school and register at the new school
• Post-secondary institutions — Alumni records, transcripts

Other

• Pet licensing — Most Metro Vancouver municipalities require pet licences tied to your address
• Library cards — Update at your local branch
• Professional associations — Any professional memberships or licences
• Gym and club memberships
• Friends and family — Do not forget the personal list

Pro Tip: Do It in One Session

Set aside 1–2 hours within the first week of your move and work through this list systematically. It is much easier to do it all at once than to deal with missed mail and expired records over the following months.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start updating my address when moving in BC? Start 2–3 weeks before your move. Some updates take time to process, and you want mail and services redirected before you leave your old address.

How do I update my driver's licence address in BC? Update your BC driver's licence address at an ICBC driver licensing office or online through ICBC's website within 10 days of moving. Your vehicle registration address should also be updated at the same time.

How do I set up mail forwarding with Canada Post? Visit canadapost.ca or a post office to set up mail forwarding. It redirects mail from your old address to your new one for up to 12 months. It is a useful backup while you update individual accounts.

What government agencies do I need to notify when I move in BC? Update your address with CRA (Canada Revenue Agency), Service Canada, Elections BC, BC Services Card, and your municipality. CRA updates can be done online through My Account or by calling 1-800-959-8281.

How do I update my address with my bank and financial institutions? Log in to your online banking or call your bank directly. Update your address for all accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts. Also update your address with your insurance providers.

What happens if I do not update my address after moving in BC? You may miss important mail including tax documents, government correspondence, and bills. Your driver's licence and vehicle registration must reflect your current address by law in BC.