Don’t forget about a change of address MA! Title XIV, Chapter 90, Section 26A of the Massachusetts General Laws states that you must report a change of address Massachusetts to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (MA RMV) within 30 days of relocating in Massachusetts. Penalties for failing to change your address include the revocation of your Massachusetts driver’s license.
There’s no law requiring you to notify the Social Security Administration, IRS, or other institutions. But it’s still important that you notify them of a change of address MA so you receive important services and mail from them. Many people delay an address change because they assume it’s stressful.
In reality, the process of a change of address MA is easy, even with the RMV. Here’s how you can complete a Massachusetts change of address today.
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Massachusetts RMV Change of Address
The Massachusetts RMV needs you to change your address for your driver’s license and vehicle registration. You must do both within 30 days of moving, whether you’re moving within the state or from outside the state. Here’s how to perform a change of address MA with the RMV.
Driver’s License Change of Address Within Massachusetts
If you’re changing addresses inside Massachusetts, the MA RMV recommends that you perform a Massachusetts RMV change of address online using the myRMV Online Service Center. You can change your Massachusetts address online for your driver’s license in a few minutes.
The first step to perform a change of address MA is to verify your identity. You must provide:
- Your date of birth
- Your driver’s license, learner’s permit, state ID, Foreign Passport, or Consular ID number
- Your last name
- The last four digits of your Social Security Number, if you have one
After verifying your identity, you can perform a change of address MA. You must provide your residential address and your mailing address. If they’re both the same, you can check a box saying so. While you’re changing your driver’s license address, you can register to vote at your new address.
You are not required to get a replacement driver’s license with your new address. However, you can order one for $25. If you don’t get a new driver’s license, you can add your new address to your card with permanent ink. If you have a learner’s permit, you can attach a sticker over the address on your permit with your new address to finalize your change of address Massachusetts.
Driver’s License Address Change From Another State
If you are moving from another state, you must complete a separate process to get a Massachusetts driver’s license with your new address. You must transfer your license within 30 days of establishing Massachusetts as your permanent residence.
You must visit a Massachusetts RMV office to transfer your license and perform a change of address Massachusetts. Massachusetts RMV offices are located throughout the state, including in Edgartown, Nantucket, and Dennis. However, you can start to transfer your out-of-state license online. You can transfer any type of license for a change of address MA, including a learner’s permit or a commercial driving license from another state.
If you already have a REAL ID, you can transfer it to Massachusetts and keep the REAL ID designation. If you have a standard ID, you can apply for a REAL ID Massachusetts or transfer it to a standard Massachusetts driver’s license. You need a REAL ID Massachusetts to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities, including military bases.
To transfer your driver’s license after a change of address MA, you must provide:
- A valid out-of-state driver’s license with the full driver’s license number, issue date, and expiration date
- Any restrictions on your driver’s license
- Your full Social Security Number
- Your full legal name
- Your date of birth
- Your mailing address and residential address
- Demographic information, including your height, eye color, and military experience
If you’re applying for a standard driver’s license, you need to provide:
- One document proving your identity or your date of birth, such as your passport or your birth certificate
- One document proving your Social Security number, like your Social Security Card
- One document proving your Massachusetts residency, such as first-class government mail, a utility bill, a lease, or a school transcript
If you’re applying for a REAL ID Massachusetts, you must provide two documents proving Massachusetts residency, not just one. While you’re online, you can tell the MA RMV what documents you’re bringing in, but you do not need to provide them with digital copies. You can also sign up to be an organ donor and for voter registration at your new address, and you can pay for your new driver’s license. It costs $115 to transfer your driver’s license and carry out a change of address MA. You can then print out your application and schedule an appointment at the MA RMV.
You are not required to fill out your application online. You can schedule an appointment with the MA RMV and complete your application there. At your appointment, an RMV official will ask to see your proof of identity, Social Security Number, and Massachusetts residency. You must provide original documents, not laminated documents or photocopies. You will turn in your out-of-state license during your appointment and receive a temporary license you can use until you get your Massachusetts driver’s license in the mail.
If you don’t have your out-of-state license to give to the RMV, you can use a photo ID like a passport to make a change of address MA. You also must provide a Driving Record from the state you are transferring from. If your license is from Canada, Mexico, France, South Korea, or Taiwan, you must submit a Driving Record even if you have your license. If your out-of-state license has expired for over a year, you must complete a written and road test. You don’t need to complete a driving test if your out-of-state license is valid or expired for less than a year.
Vehicle Registration Change of Address
If you’re only changing the address on your vehicle registration, you can change your address online using the same portal for changing your address on your driver’s license. You do not need to visit an RMV office or get a new copy of your vehicle registration. You can place a sticker over the address section with your change of address MA on it. If you prefer a new copy with your new address, you can order a duplicate registration online with your change of address MA.
You can send a Registration and Title Application to the RMV or schedule an appointment and bring a completed application with you. The fee for a vehicle registration change of address is $25, though you can pay by cash, check, credit card, debit card, or money order.
If you are moving from out of state, you must transfer your vehicle registration as soon as you establish Massachusetts residency. You must fill out Form MVU-29 and a Registration and Title Application. You must also buy car insurance from a licensed Massachusetts insurance agent, and your agent must stamp your Registration and Title Application to make an official change of address MA.
Once your application is filled out, you can schedule an appointment with the MA RMV for a change of address MA. You must submit your out-of-state vehicle title and registration with your application and a fee of $60.
Post Office Change of Address
You can use the Official USPS Change of Address website to change your address with the United States Postal Service (USPS). You must provide your old and new residential addresses on the Post Office change of address form. You can begin forwarding your mail to your new address immediately, or you can wait up to three months after you fill out the Post Office change of address form. USPS must verify your identity to perform a change of address Massachusetts, which costs $1.25.
If the USPS is unable to verify your identity, you must visit a post office to perform a change of address MA. You should bring a valid photo ID like a passport or a driver’s license. While at the post office, you must fill out PS Form 3575.
The Postal Service will forward your mail from your old address for 12 months. If you want to keep receiving mail past that point, you need to contact the organizations sending you mail and update your address with them. You can order USPS mail forwarding for an additional 6, 12, or 18 months as well.
IRS Change of Address
You can perform an IRS change of address by:
- Filling out IRS Form 8822
- Filling out a new tax return with your new address
- Sending the IRS a written statement with your full name, old and new address, and Social Security Number
- Visiting an IRS office and telling an agent your new address
- Calling the IRS at 800-829-1040 and telling an agent your new address
Massachusetts Department of Revenue Change of Address
Changing your address with the IRS or another federal agency will not change your address automatically with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR). You can perform a change of address Massachusetts with the DOR by:
- Submitting a new tax return with your new residential address
- Sending a letter to the DOR with your new address
- Filling out Form COA and sending it to the DOR
- Sending an e-message to the DOR in MassTaxConnect
Massachusetts Utilities Change of Address
To perform a change of address MA with your utility companies, you need to contact them directly. If you don’t know what your utility companies are, you can find your utility companies in Massachusetts online. Most towns on Cape Cod use Eversource for electricity and National Grid for natural gas.
MassHealth Change of Address
If you use MassHealth insurance plans, you must perform a MassHealth change of address as soon as possible. You can log on to your account on the Massachusetts HealthConnector and change your address online. You can also call 800-841-2900 or visit a MassHealth Enrollment Center to change your address with help from a MassHealth employee.
MassHealth may ask you to provide proof of your new address, which you must provide within 90 days. You can use a lease agreement, a mortgage contract, or a utility bill to prove your new address and perform a change of address MA. If you don’t have one of these documents, you can submit an Affidavit to Verify Massachusetts Residency.
Voter Registration Change of Address
You can perform a voter registration change of address while changing your address with the RMV or USPS. If you don’t do so, you can perform a change of address Massachusetts for your Massachusetts voter registration later using the Online Voter Registration System. You must provide your Massachusetts driver’s license to the RMV, so you must get a driver’s license first if you don’t have one. You can then provide your new address. While you’re providing your address, you can change your party designation, permitting you to vote in a specific party’s primaries.
You can also change your address by filling out the Massachusetts Official Mail-In Voter Registration Form. You can visit a state or local election office and change your address in person at your local town clerk or local election commission, or at the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division. To vote in an upcoming election, you must have Massachusetts voter registration and perform a change of address MA at least 10 days before Election Day.
Social Security Change of Address
You only need to perform a change of address MA with the Social Security Administration if you’re currently receiving benefits, including Medicare. To perform a Social Security change of address, you can log into your my Social Security account or call 1-800-772-1213.
Passport Change of Address
You do not need to perform a passport change of address. The Department of State advises you not to contact them to perform a change of address MA. If you have a passport application in process and you need to perform a change of address MA, you can call 877-487-2778 to change the address.
If you want to have a passport with your new address, you will need to renew your old passport or order a new one. You can renew your passport online if your passport is valid or has expired less than five years ago and if you are not traveling in six weeks. If you need a passport in three to six weeks, you can order expedited services. If you need a passport in less than three weeks, you can make an in-person appointment at a passport agency. If you’re applying for a passport for the first time, you must fill out Form DS-11 and visit a passport agency in person.
Bank Change of Address
You will have to contact your bank directly to perform a bank change of address. Most major Massachusetts banks, like Eastern Bank, Rockland Trust, and TD Bank, allow you to change your address online. You may need to log into your account or download your bank’s mobile app to change your address. You can also visit your bank in person or call their customer service number to perform a change of address MA.
Some Massachusetts banks require proof of your address to perform a change of address Massachusetts. You may need to provide your driver’s license, a utility bill, or another document with your full name and new address.
Perform a Change of Address MA Today
A change of address MA may sound labor-intensive, but it’s actually easy. You can change your address with the DMV, USPS, IRS, and other agencies using online portals. If you’re moving to Massachusetts from outside the state, you must visit the DMV in person to change your address and get a new driver’s license. You must contact your utility provider and bank to perform a change of address Massachusetts.
You can carry out a change of address MA once you’re done moving with Cape Cod movers. Vanguard is the most trusted moving company on the Cape, with over 20 years of experience. Call 508-790-9188 for a free estimate today.
