- Inventory all possessions and decide what to move, sell, replace or donate to charity
- Arrange for short-or long-term storage if you need it
- Confirm final travel arrangements for family and pets
- Check tires and service car(s)
- Gather important papers and valuables for protected shipment to new home or safe deposit box
- Transfer records between schools on both ends of the move
- Prepare for a garage sale to dispose of unneeded possessions
- Call the Chamber of Commerce in your new town for their residential information packet
- Consult tax advisor to review your potential moving-related tax deductions and liability
- Schedule packing and moving dates if using a professional mover
- Order boxes and packing materials if you are moving yourself
- Make plans for young children to be cared for on moving day
- Complete US Postal Change of Address forms, mail notifications to:
- Financial Accounts/Banks
- Internal Revenue Service
- Magazine Subscriptions
- Service Providers
- Social Security Administration
- Notify friends and neighbors of new address (and phone number if possible)
- Cancel newspaper and other delivery services
- Contact utilities on both ends of the move, order termination or turn-on for occupancy date:
- Cable/Satellite
- Electric
- Garbage/Waste Management
- Gas
- Internet
- Phone Service
- Water
- Close out and reopen safe-deposit box
- Request wire transfer instructions
- Cancel direct deposits or automatic payments to old bank
- Order checks with your new address and phone number
- Apply for new ATM cards
- Fill any necessary prescriptions needed for the next two weeks
- Transfer (or request copies) of all medical, dental, legal, accounting, veterinarian records
- Locate new doctors, dentists, veterinarians
- Locate new pharmacy
- Apply for new driver’s license
- Get new vehicle plates
- Register to vote
- Apply for or renew professional licenses
- Defrost refrigerator and freezer
- Give away or throw out remaining food items
- Plan simple meals for moving day (or order take-out)
- Pick up cash for your trip and payment (if needed) for mover’s invoice
- Pack items you need to take with you including valuables, financial records and personal papers
- Pack signed bill of lading and inventory where they can be easily located at your new home
- Carefully mark “Last Packed – First Unpacked” survival box for easy identification at new home
- Give the mover a telephone number and address where you can be reached in your new town