Do I have to update my address?

ShinyRedKnight · November 2016

Hey all,

In May of this year I moved to my first apartment. It's in the same town as my mom's place where I lived before. Since I still visit quite often I left my official address unchanged at the post office and the Illinois DMV/secretary of state. I only updated my address at work.

Since the apartment I got is a rental and I am unsure how long I will stay, am I required to update my address at the post office/state gov?

bowen · November 2016

Gray area, you should, but, you're not "required to" necessarily since that address can still be used as a point of contact.

A great comparison for this is people who maintain two residences, like snowbirds who go to Florida.

Skeith · November 2016

It'd probably be more convenient for you to set up a forwarding address with the post office, but I don't know your life.

MichaelLC · November 2016

As long as you stay current with your license and everything, it doesn't really matter.

As Skeith said, you can forward mail from your mother's; you can do it all online if you have a credit card to confirm ID.
It's a good way to screen out junk mail as they tend not to deliver that stuff.

bowen · November 2016

keep in mind, forwarding only stays in effect for 6-12 months depending on which option you pick

Gilbert0 · November 2016

"Officially" I think it varies state to state. Usually there is the concept of a "permanent address" (like @bowen said around snowbirds) it's easier to keep it your mom's because you'll be there so often.

It can get tricky if you ever pulled over / dealing with the Police. Typically they want very straight forward answers. "Do you live at this address on your ID?". If the answer is Yes, they usually keep going but if it's No, be prepared for explanation. If you never deal with Police, then I wouldn't worry about it.

Personally I moved 5 times in 7 years. I updated a handful of stuff I knew I needed (License, Bank, student loans, bills) but other stuff (websites, mailers, magazines, ads) I left as my parents. I'd see them a bunch and if it was ever important, I'd update it to my real address.

lunchbox12682 · November 2016

I will never again use USPS forwarding. I used my parent's address for a couple months while moving across country. They started forwarding ALL mail from that location instead of just with the correct name.
My mom is still mad 4 years later.

MichaelLC · November 2016

lunchbox12682 wrote: »

I will never again use USPS forwarding. I used my parent's address for a couple months while moving across country. They started forwarding ALL mail from that location instead of just with the correct name.
My mom is still mad 4 years later.

Did you mail her an apology card?

ShinyRedKnight · November 2016

I recently had to renew my license but forgot to update the address, so I'll get an address update once I have the new one since it's already on its way. I'll avoid mail forwarding and just change my address with the necessary businesses.

I'm assuming I don't have to update my address at the post office in order to update it on my license, is that right?

LostNinja · November 2016

ShinyRedKnight wrote: »

I recently had to renew my license but forgot to update the address, so I'll get an address update once I have the new one since it's already on its way. I'll avoid mail forwarding and just change my address with the necessary businesses.

I'm assuming I don't have to update my address at the post office in order to update it on my license, is that right?

No. You're fine without updating the post office.

lunchbox12682 · November 2016

MichaelLC wrote: »

lunchbox12682 wrote: »

I will never again use USPS forwarding. I used my parent's address for a couple months while moving across country. They started forwarding ALL mail from that location instead of just with the correct name.
My mom is still mad 4 years later.

Did you mail her an apology card?

Yeah, but she keeps saying she hasn't received it.

Penny Arcade

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Do I have to update my address?

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