Don’t be that person who forgets to change their address, loses important documents and clogs up a mailbox that’s not yours anymore!
Who hasn’t received mysterious envelopes that aren’t theirs — five years after you took over an apartment from a previous tenant. Maybe that was too specific, but in two homes in Toronto, I’ve gotten mail for someone who doesn’t live there anymore, and I personally would hate to lose any important paper correspondence.
If you’re planning to move or have just settled into your new space in the city, it’s important to make sure to update your address with different government agencies, your bank and your pen pals. If you need help remembering all the places you should notify of an address change, I got you.
If you want to keep the information handy, you can download the checklist below.
The Canada Revenue Agency
Anybody else always scared of messing with the CRA? Taxes just stress me out, so when I recently moved, the first thing I did was update my CRA account.
You can do it online — it’s effective immediately and takes a couple of minutes at most. You can also call 1-800-959-8281 if you’re brave enough for the long hold, or change it by mail, which takes four to six weeks to take effect. You’ll find all the details here.
If you’re a freelancer or business owner, don’t forget to also change your business address for your GST/HST account.
Service Canada
Now that you’ve changed your address with the CRA, don’t assume it’s automatically updated for all government services — it’s not. Service Canada breaks down how to change your address for different benefits.
- You can use your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) if you’re on the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) or Old Age Security (OAS).
- For Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), you have three options:
- Fill an online form to request a call back
- Go in person to a Service Canada office (you can use this tool to find one near you)
- Call 1-800-206-7218 for EI, 1-833-486-3007 for CDB or 1-800-277-9914 for CPP
Other federal programs or services also have their own sites to change your address:
- If you’re waiting on an active application for your citizenship, permanent residence, work permit or other paperwork, you need to update your address. You can do so here.
- If you have a NEXUS card, you need to sign into the TTP System operated by the U.S. Customs Border Protection to update your mailing address. Learn more here.
- You also need to update boat licenses and drone registrations.
- If you have a gun licence, you need to update it through the RCMP.
- If you’re a veteran, check out how to update your address with Veterans Affairs.
- If you’re a government employee, you need to update your address for public service pay, which you can learn about here.
- If you’re waiting to receive a confirmation of a Social Insurance Number (SIN) letter, you should update your address as well. Details can be found here.
The Government of Ontario
Now that you’re done with federal address changes, make sure to do the same for services provided by Ontario. This includes:
- Driver’s licence, vehicle permit and accessible parking permit
- Health card
- Ontario Photo Card
- Outdoors Card
You can create or sign in to a ServiceOntario Account to update your information online for all of the above. Don’t worry, it’s quick and simple.
Voter registration
When you move, make sure you update your voter registration with all three levels of government.
- Federal: Elections Canada
- Provincial: Register to vote Ontario
- Municipal: City of Toronto MyVote
Non-government entities to notify
- Your bank or credit union: For many, it’s a few clicks on your online banking app or a simple call.
- Your job: It’s a good idea to let your employer know you’re moving since your address is likely on contracts, benefits, etc.
- Your insurance(s): This includes private health insurance, tenant or home insurance, car insurance, pet insurance, etc. Check your online accounts for how to update your information.
- Magazine/newspaper subscriptions: Kudos to you for reading the good old print format. Check your subscription for details on how to update your mailing address.
- Food and parcel delivery platforms: Embarrassingly, when friends helped me and my partner move last month, we accidentally ordered the “thank you” food to the old address. Don’t do that; update your Uber Eats, DoorDash, Amazon packages, and anywhere else you get food and goods online.
- Others: friends, pen pals, mail clubs, monthly deliveries (usually home essentials, toys, wines). Give yourself time to remember everything. If you know you’re moving, take the last month at your old place to note down what deliveries you’re getting so you remember to change them.
More strategies to never lose mail
- Forward your mail to your new address with Canada Post. You can learn more about the service here — but be warned, it costs at least $60 for three months of rerouting.
- Ask your old landlord, building management or new tenant who took over to keep your mail for you.
- If you have a password manager, check it for any websites that have your address saved and make sure to change them.
- Double and triple-check the address for your online purchases for the first few weeks in your new home.
Fact-Check Yourself
Sources and
further reading
Don’t take our word for it — check our sources for yourself.
