Guide to changing your address when moving from one Canadian city to another

Changing your address is one of the most overlooked parts of moving — and one of the most consequential if you miss something. Mail going to your old address for months after you’ve moved can mean missed CRA notices, lapsed insurance renewals, and security risks. The good news is that the process is straightforward if you work through it systematically. Here’s exactly who to notify, when, and how.

Complete Address Change Checklist — Canada (2026)

Step 1: Canada Post Mail Forwarding — Do This First

Before anything else, set up Canada Post mail forwarding. This catches any mail going to your old address and redirects it to your new one — giving you a safety net while you update everything else.

• Cost: $85 for 6 months, $130 for 12 months (2026 rates)
• Where: canadapost.ca or at any Canada Post location
• Timeline: Set up at least 5–7 business days before your move date
• Important: Mail forwarding is a bridge, not a solution — it doesn’t replace updating your address with each institution. Some mail categories (including government mail) may not be forwarded.

Step 2: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) — Critical

Your CRA address affects your tax refunds, GST/HST credits, Canada Child Benefit payments, and all official government correspondence. Update it as soon as your new address is confirmed.

• Online: Through My Account at canada.ca/cra
• By phone: 1-800-959-8281 (individuals)
• On your tax return: Your province of residence on December 31 determines which provincial tax return you file — moving mid-year can affect your taxes. If you moved for work or school, your moving costs may also be deductible. Our guide to claiming moving expenses in Canada covers eligibility in detail.

Step 3: Driver’s Licence and Health Card

Most provinces require you to update your driver’s licence address within a short window after moving. Deadlines vary:

Health cards follow similar timelines — contact your new province’s health authority as soon as you establish residency. If you’re moving between provinces, note that most provinces have a waiting period before new provincial health coverage kicks in (Ontario: 3 months; BC: immediately; Alberta: first day of 3rd month). Bridge this gap with private travel/health insurance.

Step 4: Banks and Financial Institutions

Update your address with every bank, credit union, and financial institution before you move — not after. Your credit card statements, investment statements, and tax documents all go to your address on file. Missing a statement can mean missing a payment, which affects your credit score.

Most major Canadian banks (TD, RBC, BMO, Scotiabank, CIBC) allow address updates through online banking or their mobile app in under 5 minutes. Do all of them in one sitting.

Step 5: Auto and Home Insurance

This step is easy to forget but important — your insurance premiums are partly based on your location. Moving to a different city or neighbourhood can change your rate, and your existing policy may not automatically cover your new address.

• Auto insurance: Call your insurer before the move. Your new location affects your risk category and premium. Ontario has the highest rates in Canada; moving to a new province may significantly change your annual cost.
• Tenant / home insurance: Your existing policy typically covers you at your old address. You’ll need a new policy or an amendment for your new address — arrange this before moving day so you’re covered from day one.

Step 6: Utilities at Both Ends

Contact utility providers at both your old and new address — you need to cancel or transfer service at the old place and establish service at the new one. Do this 3–4 weeks before your move.

• Electricity: Contact the local utility (Toronto Hydro, BC Hydro, ENMAX, Hydro-Québec etc.)
• Natural gas: Enbridge, FortisBC, Atco, or local provider
• Water: Usually managed by the municipality — contact city hall
• Internet and TV: Check if your current provider operates at your new address before cancelling — if not, arrange a new provider. Avoid a gap in service by scheduling installation before your move date.

Step 7: Healthcare — Family Doctor and Medical Records

If you’re moving to a new city, finding a new family doctor should be a priority — particularly if you’re moving to a smaller city or a province with physician shortages. In provinces like Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland, patient lists can be full and wait times for a new family doctor can be months.

• Notify your current doctor and request a copy of your medical records (you are entitled to them)
• Register with Health Match BC, Health PEI, or your new province’s equivalent family doctor matching program
• Update your pharmacy — provide your new address and transfer your prescriptions

What to Do If You’re Moving Across Provinces

Moving between provinces adds additional steps. For a complete guide to the administrative process for province-to-province moves — including health card waiting periods, vehicle registration transfer, and voter registration — our interprovincial moving checklist covers every step in order.

When you’re ready to book the move itself, Centennial Moving handles long distance moves across all Canadian provinces with full door-to-door service. Get a free quote and we’ll have an estimate ready within 24 hours.