BC Address Change Checklist: Everyone You Need to Notify When You Move

Moving in British Columbia means more than just packing boxes and hiring movers. One of the most important — and most overlooked — parts of any move is updating your address with every organization that needs to know where you live.

Miss an important one and you could face fines (ICBC requires address updates within 10 days), miss important mail, or have your tax refund sent to the wrong address. This complete BC address change checklist covers everyone you need to notify, organized by priority.

Why Updating Your Address Matters in BC

In British Columbia, several address updates are legally required:

• ICBC: You must update your driver's licence and vehicle registration address within 10 days of moving. Failure to do so can result in fines and may affect your insurance coverage.
• BC Services Card: Your BC Services Card (which includes your MSP health coverage) should reflect your current address.
• Canada Revenue Agency: Your CRA address affects where your tax refund, benefit payments, and important notices are sent.

Beyond legal requirements, failing to update your address can result in missed bills, cancelled services, and important documents going to the wrong address.

Priority 1: Update Within 10 Days of Moving

These are the most time-sensitive address updates in BC.

ICBC (Driver's Licence and Vehicle Registration)

Why it's urgent: BC law requires you to update your driver's licence and vehicle registration address within 10 days of moving. Your insurance coverage may be affected if your address is incorrect.

How to update:

• Online at icbc.com (for driver's licence)
• At any ICBC driver licensing office
• At an Autoplan broker (for vehicle registration)

What you'll need: Your current driver's licence, vehicle registration, and new address.

Cost: Free for address updates.

BC Services Card (MSP Health Coverage)

Why it's urgent: Your BC Services Card is your health coverage card. Keeping your address current ensures you receive important health-related correspondence.

How to update:

• Online at id.gov.bc.ca
• By phone: 1-800-663-7867
• In person at a Service BC location

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

Why it's urgent: CRA uses your address for tax refunds, benefit payments (GST/HST credit, Canada Child Benefit, etc.), and important notices. An incorrect address means missed money.

How to update:

• Online through My Account at canada.ca/my-cra-account
• By phone: 1-800-959-8281
• On your next tax return

Note: If you receive the Canada Child Benefit, also update through My Account to ensure payments continue without interruption.

Canada Post Mail Forwarding

Why it's urgent: Mail forwarding ensures you receive mail sent to your old address while you update everyone else. It buys you time.

How to set up:

• Online at canadapost.ca
• At any Canada Post outlet

Cost: Mail forwarding costs approximately $55–$85 for 4 months (prices vary). It's worth every penny.

Important: Mail forwarding is temporary (up to 12 months). Use it as a safety net while you update your address everywhere else — don't rely on it permanently.

Priority 2: Update Within the First Week

Financial Institutions

Update your address with every bank, credit union, and financial institution you use. This includes:

• Chequing and savings accounts
• Credit cards (each card issuer separately)
• Investment accounts (RRSP, TFSA, non-registered)
• Mortgage lender (if applicable)
• Line of credit
• PayPal and other payment platforms

How to update: Most banks allow address updates through online banking or their mobile app. Some may require you to visit a branch or call.

Employer / Payroll

Update your address with your employer's HR or payroll department. This affects:

• T4 slips (sent by mail)
• Direct deposit information (if address-linked)
• Benefits correspondence

Insurance Providers

Update your address with all insurance providers:

• Home insurance (tenant or homeowner) — your policy is tied to your address; moving without updating may void your coverage
• Life insurance
• Extended health and dental (if not through employer)
• Pet insurance

Important: Contact your home insurance provider before you move, not after. Your coverage at your new address needs to be confirmed in advance.

Priority 3: Update Within the First Two Weeks

Service Providers

Internet and cable: Contact your provider to transfer service to your new address or cancel and set up new service. In Metro Vancouver, major providers include Telus, Shaw/Rogers, and Novus.

BC Hydro: Transfer your BC Hydro account to your new address. Do this before moving day to ensure power is on when you arrive. Call 1-800-224-9376 or update online at bchydro.com.

FortisBC (natural gas): If your new home uses natural gas, transfer or set up your FortisBC account. Call 1-888-224-2710 or update at fortisbc.com.

Cell phone: Update your billing address with your mobile carrier (Telus, Rogers, Bell, Fido, Koodo, etc.).

Streaming services: Netflix, Spotify, Apple, Amazon Prime — update billing addresses to avoid payment issues.

Government and Benefits

Elections BC: Update your voter registration at elections.bc.ca or by calling 1-800-661-8683. This ensures you're registered to vote in your new riding.

Service Canada: If you receive Employment Insurance, CPP, or OAS, update your address at servicecanada.gc.ca or by calling 1-800-206-7218.

Veterans Affairs Canada: If applicable, update at veterans.gc.ca.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): If you are not a Canadian citizen, you may be required to update your address with IRCC. Check your specific requirements at canada.ca/ircc.

Professional Licences and Memberships

Update your address with any professional regulatory bodies or associations:

• College of Physicians and Surgeons (if applicable)
• Law Society of BC
• Engineers and Geoscientists BC
• Any professional association you belong to

Priority 4: Update Within the First Month

Healthcare Providers

• Family doctor / GP: Update your address so appointment reminders and correspondence reach you
• Dentist
• Specialists (physiotherapist, chiropractor, etc.)
• Pharmacy: Update your address for prescription renewals and correspondence
• Optometrist
• Mental health providers

Children's Services

If you have children, update your address with:

• School(s): Contact the school office directly
• Daycare or childcare provider
• Extracurricular activities (sports teams, music lessons, etc.)
• Pediatrician

Subscriptions and Deliveries

Go through your email inbox and credit card statements to identify all subscriptions and recurring deliveries:

• Magazines and newspapers
• Subscription boxes (meal kits, beauty boxes, etc.)
• Amazon and other online retailers (update default shipping address)
• Costco (if membership is address-linked)

Loyalty Programs

• Air Miles, Aeroplan, Scene+ and other loyalty programs
• Grocery store loyalty cards (Safeway Club Card, Save-On More, etc.)
• Retail loyalty programs

Legal and Financial Documents

• Lawyer or notary (if you have a will, power of attorney, or other legal documents)
• Accountant or tax preparer
• Financial advisor
• Executor of your estate (if applicable)

BC-Specific Address Change Tips

ICBC: Don't Wait

The 10-day ICBC requirement is strictly enforced. Update your driver's licence and vehicle registration as soon as possible after your move. If you're moving at month-end, try to update ICBC within the first week of the new month.

BC Hydro Transfer vs. New Account

If you're moving within BC Hydro's service area, you can transfer your existing account to your new address rather than closing and opening a new one. This preserves your account history and avoids any deposit requirements.

Strata and Building Management

If you're moving into a strata property (condo or townhouse), update your contact information with the strata management company. This ensures you receive strata meeting notices, levy notices, and important building communications.

Canada Post Forwarding Limitations

Canada Post mail forwarding does not forward all mail types. Government mail (CRA, ICBC, Elections BC) is often not forwarded. This is why updating government agencies directly is so important — don't assume forwarding will catch everything.

Address Change Checklist: Quick Reference

Within 10 Days (Legal Requirements)

• ICBC — driver's licence
• ICBC — vehicle registration (at Autoplan broker)
• BC Services Card
• Canada Revenue Agency
• Canada Post mail forwarding

Within First Week

• All banks and credit unions
• All credit cards
• Investment accounts
• Employer / payroll / HR
• Home insurance (before moving day)
• Life insurance
• BC Hydro
• FortisBC (if applicable)
• Internet provider
• Cell phone carrier

Within First Two Weeks

• Elections BC
• Service Canada (EI, CPP, OAS)
• Streaming services
• Online retailers (Amazon, etc.)
• Professional licences / associations

Within First Month

• Family doctor
• Dentist
• Pharmacy
• Children's school(s)
• Daycare / childcare
• Subscriptions and delivery services
• Loyalty programs
• Lawyer / accountant / financial advisor

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Frequently Asked Questions About Address Changes in BC

What happens if I don't update my ICBC address within 10 days?

You may be subject to a fine. More importantly, if you're in an accident and your address on file is incorrect, it could complicate your insurance claim. Update ICBC as soon as possible after your move.

Can I update my CRA address online?

Yes — through My Account at canada.ca/my-cra-account. This is the fastest and easiest method. You can also update by phone (1-800-959-8281) or on your next tax return.

Does Canada Post forwarding work for government mail?

Not always. CRA, ICBC, and Elections BC mail is often not forwarded. Update these agencies directly rather than relying on mail forwarding.

How long should I keep mail forwarding active?

At least 4–6 months. This gives you time to update all your contacts and catch any stragglers. You can extend forwarding for up to 12 months through Canada Post.

What if I'm moving from another province to BC?

In addition to the BC-specific updates above, you'll need to:

• Obtain a BC driver's licence within 90 days of becoming a BC resident
• Register your vehicle in BC within 90 days
• Enrol in BC MSP (health coverage) — there's a 3-month waiting period for new BC residents, so arrange private coverage for that period

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