Changing your address

The short answer

Changing your address touches dozens of organisations, from banks and the DVLA to your GP practice and pension provider, so it helps to work through a checklist rather than remembering as things come up. Most updates can be done online and take only a few minutes each, but a few, such as vehicle registration, have legal deadlines once you have moved.

Priority updates in the first week

Some changes matter more urgently than others. Updating the electoral register, your bank, and DVLA vehicle details should happen promptly, since delays can cause practical problems such as post going astray or fines for an incorrect vehicle registration address.

• Bank, building society and credit card providers
• DVLA for your driving licence and vehicle registration
• Electoral register
• Employer and payroll department

Health and household services

Registering with a new GP practice if you have moved out of catchment can take a little time, so it is worth doing this early. Council tax, home and contents insurance, and any household subscriptions should also be updated once you know your entry date.

Lower priority but easy to forget

Loyalty schemes, online shopping accounts, streaming and subscription services, and any professional or membership bodies are lower priority but worth updating within the first month to avoid deliveries or correspondence going to the old address.

What to do, in order

1. 1Make a list of every organisation that holds your address
2. 2Update your bank, DVLA and electoral register first
3. 3Register with a new GP and dentist if you have moved out of catchment
4. 4Update home and contents insurance to the new property
5. 5Notify your employer and any pension or investment providers
6. 6Work through lower-priority accounts within the first month

Local detail for the Lothians

• Council tax registration with the local Scottish authority (such as City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian Council or Midlothian Council) should be updated as soon as your date of entry is confirmed
• GP practices in central Edinburgh can have longer waiting lists for new registrations, so applying early is worthwhile if you are moving across the city
• If you are moving between Lothian council areas, such as from Edinburgh to Midlothian, check bin collection and recycling arrangements as they vary by authority
• Households moving to West Lothian towns such as Livingston may find registration and services handled through a different council portal to Edinburgh's

Common questions

How soon must I update my driving licence address?

The DVLA expects you to update your address as soon as reasonably possible after moving; driving with an out-of-date licence address can lead to a fine.

Is there a single service that updates everything at once?

Some paid address-update services exist that notify multiple organisations, though working through a checklist yourself is free and gives you more control.

Related pages

• Utilities and council tax

  Setting up gas, electricity, water and council tax when you move into a Scottish property.

• Redirecting your post

  Setting up mail redirection so nothing important goes astray after you move.

• Broadband and media

  Getting broadband, TV and phone connected in your new home without a gap in service.