Moving means lots of address changes. Changing your driver’s licence address is only one step, since you must notify federal agencies, insurers, banks, utilities, and any entity that sends you mail separately.
In this guide, we’ll help you figure out what you need to do before you move, what you’re required to do once you’re settled (including Ontario-specific deadlines), and how to keep proof of the address changes you’ve made.
In compiling this guide, we referred to Ontario’s change-of-address service, the federal change-of-address directory, Canada Post’s Mail Forwarding guide, and FSRA’s policy cancellation and non-renewal guide.
What Address Changes Do You Need to Make After Moving in Ontario?
Changing Your Address in Ontario at a Glance
| Done | When | Update | Keep as proof |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☐ | Before the move | Notify your internet, utility, workplace, school or childcare, and delivery-service providers. Consider Canada Post Mail Forwarding. | |
| ☐ | By move day | Tell your home, tenant and auto insurer or broker about your address change. Make sure you are covered at both your old and new addresses during the move. | Written coverage and premium confirmation. |
| ☐ | Within 6 days | Documents whose address can be updated: driver’s licence (Ontario) and vehicle permit (Ontario). | An online receipt for a change of address or a ServiceOntario record. |
| ☐ | Within 30 days | Ontario health card. | Keep an online or ServiceOntario confirmation. |
| ☐ | As applicable | CRA, Service Canada, IRCC, Elections Canada and other federal programs. | Confirmation from each department. |
Before the Move: Prevent Service and Mail Gaps
| Done | Contact | Action |
|---|---|---|
| ☐ | Electricity, gas, water and internet | Coordinate utilities and service start/stop dates to prevent gaps, including meter readings and equipment returns. |
| ☐ | Canada Post | Order mail forwarding early enough that service will begin prior to the move. Keep track of when it will expire. |
| ☐ | Employer or payroll | Update your address before moving to avoid service or mail issues. Be sure to update your payroll, benefits, pension, emergency contact, etc. |
| ☐ | School, childcare or student aid | Confirm where you need proof of your new address, such as for transportation arrangements or service area boundaries, to prevent interruptions in service. Update your address with any student assistance programs, such as OSAP if applicable. |
| ☐ | Landlord, condo corporation or property manager | Provide the required notice, forwarding details and move-booking information. |
| ☐ | Delivery and subscription accounts | Update all of the addresses where you keep your billing/shipping information saved so that there is no gap in mail/service. Consider putting deliveries on pause if applicable. |
Although Canada Post offers a paid backup, not an address-update service, don’t assume it will forward everything. Items marked as ‘Do not forward’, neighbourhood mail and many parcel delivery services won’t be forwarded.
Government Agencies
Provincial Departments
| Done | Ontario record | Current action |
|---|---|---|
| ☐ | Driver’s licence | Update within six days; a replacement card is mailed. |
| ☐ | Vehicle permit | Update the permit document using Ontario’s instructions. Update within six days. |
| ☐ | Health card | Update within 30 days; Ontario says no new card is issued solely for an address change. |
| ☐ | Ontario Photo Card | Relevant information is updated (where applicable), and a replacement card is mailed. |
| ☐ | Accessible parking permit | Update the address if you hold one. |
| ☐ | Outdoors Card, OSAP, business or corporation | Go to the Ontario service that relates to your type of account. |
Have your new address and any requested ID numbers ready. Save the confirmation.
One Ontario transaction may not update every provincial program.
Read More: Read the Ontario Driver’s Licence Renewal Guide
Federal Departments
| Done | If it applies to you | Update separately |
|---|---|---|
| ☐ | Taxes and benefits | Canada Revenue Agency personal and/or business accounts, where applicable. |
| ☐ | EI, CPP or OAS | Service Canada program records |
| ☐ | Immigration or citizenship file | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada |
| ☐ | Voting | Elections Canada provincial or municipal voter lists, where applicable. |
| ☐ | Firearms, veteran, NEXUS, boat or aircraft records | Once in the directory, find and open the update service of the program in question. |
| ☐ | Federal employee or pensioner | Update the relevant pay or pension system. |
All other departments of the federal government must be notified of a change of address separately. Refer to the Directory of the federal government and select the applicable programs.
You do not need to indicate an address change in a Canadian passport, since passports in circulation do not list an address.
Insurance Companies and/or Brokers
Contact your home, tenant and/or auto insurer or broker either before you move or as soon as your new address is confirmed. FSRA gives moving without notifying your insurer as an example of a possible material change to an auto insurance policy. Changes in the location of garaging, drivers, commute information, use of vehicle, dwelling information, protection features and occupancy can impact your price, coverage or eligibility for insurance.
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| When does coverage stop at the old address and begin at the new one? | Avoids an unintended gap during possession or the move. |
| Are belongings covered in transit or temporarily stored? | Moving and storage coverage, limits and exclusions vary. |
| What facts changed the premium or terms? | Separates the address effect from vehicle, driver, dwelling, limit or endorsement changes. |
| Do you need a new rebuild estimate, inspection or occupancy details? | Underwriting home and tenant insurance is based on the property and how it’s used. |
| Will the policy number, payment date or documents change? | Can help you to verify that your update is complete. |
Read More: See How to Change the Address on a Car Insurance Policy
Financial, Health and Personal Records
| Done | Category | Examples to review |
|---|---|---|
| ☐ | Financial | Banks, credit-card companies, mortgage and loan providers, investment firms, private pensions and online payment apps. |
| ☐ | Health | Doctors, dentists, pharmacies, benefit-plan providers, veterinarians and therapists. |
| ☐ | Education | Daycare or school records, college or university records, apprenticeship records, and scholarship or student-aid records. |
| ☐ | Home and community | Library memberships, cultural or religious groups, maintenance providers and emergency contacts. |
| ☐ | People | Family, friends, lawyers, accountants and anyone likely to send sensitive documents. |
| ☐ | Online accounts | Online and in-store retailers, meal-kit subscriptions, newspapers or magazines, loyalty programs, licence renewals and saved addresses. |
Make sure your old address is no longer displayed publicly. Double-check both your shipping and billing addresses, and remove your previous address from express or one-click checkouts.