Moving house often comes with quite a bit of stress and an endless to-do list. One important task that is often overlooked is changing your address.
Thankfully, most businesses don't send physical mail anymore, making the address-changing process a lot easier. However, others could end up costing you money if not changed, updated or cancelled in time – think fibre connection and (eek) household insurance!
To help you navigate the address-changing process, here’s everything you need to know about changing your address when moving. It highlights the most important organisations to contact, how soon you must start the process, and what you’ll need.
Standard identity verification will apply in most cases, so you may need to provide your South African ID card (or a verified copy), and proof of address.
Obviously, if you haven’t moved yet, or have just moved, most of the usual proof of address options would be difficult to provide, so the easiest proof of address would be your new lease agreement, home loan statement or an affidavit to confirm your address.
The address-changing process will vary depending on how many organisations you’re connected with that require your address. While some address changes are instant and can be done on moving day or even after, there are a few important ones that take some time to process and must be completed beforehand.
Some take 30 days, while others can take 4-6 weeks. That’s why it’s best to start the address-changing process at least 6 weeks before your move, starting with the ones that require more time to update.
There are a few key accounts and policies that you should notify about your change of address. Don’t worry, it’s not all that difficult, but it is important to get it done as soon as possible.
Insurance, whether it’s car insurance, home insurance or moving insurance, is probably one of the most important ones that you should focus on first. The last thing you want is for your belongings not to be covered during the moving process and to risk paying for any damage yourself.
Make sure to inform your insurance company of the exact moving day — the day your belongings are being moved from A to B.
Also, if you don’t update your address on your car insurance, it may not be covered. Make sure you update it to be safe, and maybe even check if you qualify for a better premium based on your new address.
Thankfully, updating your insurance policies can be done fairly quickly either over the phone or by sending an email. Make sure to have your policy number on hand to make the process go even faster.
Your bank is another biggie when it comes to changing your address, as it’s essential to verify your FICA details.
For most banks, you can update your address on the banking app or online where you have to upload your proof of address. This can take around 7 working days to process. Otherwise, you can visit your nearest branch with your ID and physical proof of address.
You also mustn’t forget any other credit providers. While many credit providers have upgraded communication to email, so you don’t have to worry about credit statements getting lost in the mail, it’s still important to ensure the address on your statement reflects your new address. This can usually be done online or by phone.
To avoid any trouble with the tax man, it’s a good idea to let the South African Revenue Service (SARS) know of your address change. If you have your own accountant, you can let them know of your address change and they can do it for you.
Otherwise, if you are registered for SARS eFiling, then you can update your address on the RAV01 on the SARS Maintain Details Tab on eFiling. You can use the following steps to update your personal details:
Login to SARS eFiling
Click on Home, then SARS Registered Details, then Maintain SARS Registered Details
Click on I agree
An Adobe form will open up showing your SARS Registered Details
Click on the relevant tab to update your address on your left
Follow the instructions from that tab, click Save and then Submit Form
SARS will either notify you immediately that your personal details are okay, or they’ll tell you that you need to come to your nearest branch to verify your personal details. They may also send you an email sometime later about verifying your details.
If you aren’t registered for SARS eFiling, then you’ll need to go to your nearest branch.
If you own any vehicle, whether a car, truck, trailer, caravan or motorcycle, you have to make sure NaTis has your updated address. This ensures your vehicle is registered to the right address, which will allow you to renew your license disk in your new town or city (especially important if you’re moving to a new province). To do this, you have to visit your local traffic department with your ID and proof of address. This one can be done instantly, so while it’s still important, it isn’t urgent.
Changing your address for your internet is one of the longer processes, so you get started on this as soon as possible.
You have to give a calendar month’s notice to disconnect your current home otherwise you’ll be paying for 2 properties. You must also apply for internet at your new address. The whole process can take up to 6 weeks, especially if you have fibre or a broadband/DSL connection.
However, if your internet is a wireless/LTE connection, then you can just move it to your new home and you’ll still be connected, just like your phone.
If you have a landline phone, you’ll need to contact your provider, Telkom for example, 30 days in advance before your move to make sure your number moves with you.
Before you move, make sure that your security company is aware of your move and that your current security contract is cancelled in writing. You can then arrange security at your new address. Otherwise, you may end up paying two security bills.
The TV licence is easily forgotten, but thankfully, it’s not very urgent. But if you own a TV licence and change address, then SABC must be informed in writing within 30 days after your move.
While you can mail your notices to the SABC (The Manager, Television Licences, SABC, Private Bag X60, Auckland Park 2006), it’ll probably be easier to email SABC at tvlic.info@sabc.co.za and they’ll help you update your address.
While your DSTV should still work if you move your decoder with your paired smartcard to your new home, you may still need to change your registered usage address.
This can either be done over the phone or on DSTV’s self-service. It’s also good to know that you can register 2 usage addresses, however, you are only able to change each address 3 times in a 12-month period.
With the upcoming elections, it’s essential that you make sure your address is up to date. If you have moved to a new voting district with a new voting station, then you will need to re-register.
If you’ve just moved down the road, it’s difficult to know if you have actually changed voting districts. Here’s how to find out:
Check your voter registration details and make a note of your voting station and voting district number.
Go to the Voting Station Finder and search for your current home address.
On the map, locate the voting district number.
Compare the voting district number here to your registration details — if they're not the same, you need to re-register in your new voting district.
To re-register, all you have to do is:
Apply for registration in your new voting district at your new voting station during a registration weekend, at the local IEC office responsible for your voting district during office hours or online (this must be done before voter registration closes).
Wait at least 7 days and then check your voter registration details again to make sure your voting district and voting station have changed.
Horror story: You order a pizza, and it gets delivered to your old address. You forgot to update the address on your App!
If you have any subscriptions that still send you physical products like magazines, newspapers or delivery services like UCOOK, Mr D, Amazon, Takealot, etc., then you should remember to update your address ASAP.
Are you moving with some furry friends? Don’t forget to update their microchips with your new address, or get them microchipped if they aren’t already.
Moving can be very stressful for pets and opens the opportunity for them to bolt if they are anxious and in a new environment. So in the case that they get lost along the way, an updated microchip ensures they can find their way home.
If you do receive an abnormal amount of mail, then it may be a good idea to go to your post office and set up a redirect for a few months to ensure any mail sent your way is forwarded to your new address.
You can do this by filling out an application at your local post office.
Changing your residential address is one thing — getting everything you own to your new address in perfect condition is another. But it doesn’t have to be a mission, especially with the help of Wise Move!
With Wise Move’s national moving company platform, you can easily connect with the most highly rated and affordable movers in South Africa, ready to help you with all your moving needs. All you have to do is post your moving request, compare 3,000+ reviews and prices and choose the right moving service for you and your budget.
Get your quote with Wise Move today and take one step closer to your new address!
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