The Complete Address Change Checklist for Ontario Movers
Moving to KW? Here's every government service you need to update—with deadlines, methods, and the exact steps to follow.
You've found your new home in Kitchener-Waterloo. Congratulations! Now comes the less exciting part: updating your address with every government agency, utility, and service provider. This checklist covers everything you need to know.
The Legal Deadlines You Can't Ignore
Some address changes aren't optional—they're legally required within specific timeframes:
Required Deadlines
- Driver's Licence: Within 6 days of moving
- Vehicle Permit (Registration): Within 6 days of moving
- Health Card: Within 30 days of moving
Yes, 6 days is tight. Plan to handle these immediately after your move.
Ontario Government Services
Driver's Licence
- Deadline: 6 days
- Fee: Free
- Method: Online at ontario.ca or in-person at ServiceOntario
- What you need: Driver's licence number and issue date
- Processing: New card mailed within 4-6 weeks
Vehicle Permit (Registration)
- Deadline: 6 days
- Fee: Free
- Method: Start online, but you must pick up the new permit in-person at ServiceOntario
- What you need: Driver's licence number or registrant ID, plus issue date
Important: Unlike your driver's licence, the vehicle permit cannot be mailed to you. You'll need to visit a ServiceOntario location to pick it up.
Ontario Health Card (OHIP)
- Deadline: 30 days
- Fee: Free
- Method: Online, in-person, or by mail
- What you need: Health card number, version code, and 9-character code from back of photo cards
- Note: Health cards don't display your address, so no new card is issued
Exception: If you have an older photo health card with a printed address, you must update in-person—online is not available for these cards.
Elections Ontario (Provincial Voter Registration)
- Method: Online at eregistration.elections.on.ca
- What you need: ID showing your name and new address
Note: Provincial and federal voter registrations are separate. Updating one does not update the other.
Federal Government Services
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) — Critical
This is the most important one. If you receive any government benefits (Canada Child Benefit, GST/HST credit, tax refunds), failing to update your address can cause payments to stop.
- Method: CRA My Account (immediate), by phone, or by mail
- What you need: My Account login, or SIN plus personal details for phone verification
- Processing: Immediate online; 4-6 weeks by mail
Don't Skip This One
The CRA explicitly warns: "Your benefit and credit payments may stop if you do not [update your address]. This is the case even if you use direct deposit and your bank account does not change."
Service Canada (EI, CPP, OAS)
- Method: Phone or in-person only
- Important: My Service Canada Account (MSCA) currently does not support online address changes
- EI Phone: 1-800-206-7218
- CPP/OAS Phone: 1-800-277-9914
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Good news: You do not need to update your address with the SIN Program—unless you're currently waiting to receive a Confirmation of SIN letter.
Canadian Passport
Also good news: You don't need to update or notify anyone. A change of address doesn't invalidate your passport.
If you want to update the address in your passport:
- Cross out the old address on page 4
- Write your new address in the space above
- Do NOT use correction fluid
Permanent Resident (PR) Card
New permanent residents: You must provide your Canadian address within 180 days of becoming a PR, or your card will be cancelled.
Existing PR holders: No requirement to notify IRCC unless you have an active application in progress.
Elections Canada (Federal Voter Registration)
- Method: Online at ereg.elections.ca
Canada Post Mail Forwarding
Even after updating all your addresses, mail will still arrive at your old address for months. Canada Post's mail forwarding service catches what you miss.
What Gets Forwarded
- Lettermail (regular letters)
- Registered mail (within Canada)
- Magazines
What Does NOT Get Forwarded
- Packages and parcels — This is important. No Xpresspost, no Amazon packages, no Expedited Parcel
- Prepaid envelopes
- Mail marked "Do Not Forward"
- Newspapers delivered by third parties
Pricing (Approximate)
| Duration | Same Province | Different Province |
|---|---|---|
| 4 months | ~$65 | ~$75 |
| 12 months | ~$98 | ~$116 |
Verify current pricing at canadapost.ca
Timing
- When to order: 30 days before your move
- When it starts: 3-5 business days after purchase
- You can set a future start date
How to Set Up
- Online: Sign in to Canada Post account, complete the form, pay with credit card
- In-person: Visit any post office with government-issued photo ID
The Complete Checklist
Before You Move
- ☐ Set up Canada Post mail forwarding (30 days ahead)
Within 6 Days of Moving
- ☐ Update driver's licence (online)
- ☐ Update vehicle permit (online + pickup in-person)
Within 30 Days of Moving
- ☐ Update health card
- ☐ Update CRA (My Account — do this ASAP)
- ☐ Update Service Canada if receiving EI, CPP, or OAS (by phone)
- ☐ Update Elections Ontario voter registration
- ☐ Update Elections Canada voter registration
Also Update
- ☐ Banks and credit cards
- ☐ Insurance (home, auto, life)
- ☐ Employer payroll
- ☐ Utilities (hydro, gas, water, internet)
- ☐ Subscriptions and memberships
- ☐ Doctor, dentist, pharmacy
- ☐ Children's schools
Pro Tips
- Do CRA first. Benefit payments can stop without warning if your address is outdated.
- ServiceOntario can be busy. Book an appointment online if available, or go early in the day.
- Keep your old mail for 12 months. You'll catch address-change reminders as they arrive.
- 12-month forwarding is better value. Annual mailings (tax slips, insurance renewals) will be caught.
New to Kitchener-Waterloo?
Address changes are just one part of settling in. Check out our complete relocation guide for everything you need to know about moving to KW.
Helpful Resources