Updating Your Address in Ottawa: Full Administrative Guide
Introduction
The boxes are unpacked, but you don't officially live there yet—at least, not on paper. Updating your address in Ottawa is a bureaucratic scavenger hunt involving federal, provincial, and municipal agencies. Missing one can mean missed tax refunds, lapsed insurance, or a ticket for an expired license. This guide is your checklist to making your move official.
Main Sections
The Big Three: Government ID
- ServiceOntario: You have 6 days to update your Driver's License and Health Card. You can do this online or at a ServiceOntario kiosk (e.g., usually located in Canadian Tires or City Hall).
- CRA (Canada Revenue Agency): crucial for tax returns and benefits (CCB, GST/HST credit). Update strictly via "My Account" online or by phone.
- Service Canada: For EI, CPP, and OAS.
Interprovincial Moves (Ottawa <-> Gatineau)
If you moved across the river, it's more complex.
- Health: You must switch from OHIP to RAMQ (or vice versa). There is a waiting period (typically 3 months) where your old plan covers you.
- Driver's License: You must exchange your license. Ontario and Quebec have a reciprocal agreement, but you must visit the SAAQ or DriveTest centre in person.
- Taxes: Your residence on December 31st determines your provincial tax rate for the whole year.
Utilities and Services
- Hydro Ottawa / Hydro One: Ensure the final reading was done at the old place and the account is active at the new one.
- Water/Gas: Enbridge and the City of Ottawa water bill.
- Internet/Phone: Rogers, Bell, Videotron.
- Banks and Insurance: Notify your bank (credit card billing address must match). Notify your car insurer immediately—your premium will change based on your new postal code.
Mail Forwarding
Canada Post offers a Mail Forwarding service. Buy this for 6 or 12 months. It is a safety net for all the letters you forgot to update (magazine subscriptions, distant relatives, long-lost friends). Do this *before* you move so it starts on moving day.
The "Hidden" List
- Employer (payroll)
- School boards / Daycare
- Doctor / Dentist / Vet (update file)
- Amazon / PayPal / Uber (don't accidentally send a package to your old house!)
- Loyalty programs (Air Miles, PC Optimum)
Local Expertise Section
Why This Matters for Ottawa Residents
Parking permits! If you have an on-street parking permit in the premise of the City of Ottawa, it is tied to your vehicle registration address. If they don't match, you can get ticketed or lose your permit eligibility. In Gatineau, garbage collection schedules vary by sector; register your address to get your new calendar and bin/recycling instructions.
This applies whether you just finished unpacking or are still in the planning phase. If you moved for a job, check our relocation guide for corporate specific updates. If you are a tenant, ensure your old landlord has the new address for the post-move cleaning deposit return.
FAQ
Q: How much does mail forwarding cost?
A: Approx. $90 for 4 months or $110 for a year. Prices change, so check Canada Post.
Q: Do I need a new license plate?
A: If moving within Ontario, no (just a new sticker/permit update). If moving Ontario <-> Quebec, yes, you need new plates.
Q: Will my car insurance go up?
A: Maybe. Ottawa rates vary by neighborhood. Gatineau auto insurance is typically cheaper than Ottawa, but income tax is higher.
Q: What happens if I forget to update the CRA?
A: You might miss benefit cheques, or they might send sensitive tax info to your old address, risking identity theft.
Q: Can I update everything at once?
A: There are third-party services like "MovingWaldo" that help, but for government ID, you usually have to do it directly for security reasons.
Updating your address is the final stamp on your moving passport. It signals that you have arrived and are ready to participate in your new community. UpMove hopes this guide helps you cut through the red tape so you can get back to enjoying your new Ottawa home.
