How do I transfer my address and official
records?
“Ready to sell in Georgetown? Transfer your address and official records today — no missed bills, no headaches.”
Why moving and transferring records is a closing problem you must solve now
Selling a home in Georgetown, Ontario is a big win. But closing day can turn messy fast if you don’t transfer your address and official records the right way. Miss one notice, one bill, one government form — and you’ll chase paperwork for months. This guide gives you a direct, step-by-step plan tailored for home sellers in Georgetown, ON. No fluff. Just what you need to do, when to do it, and who to call.
The simple framework: Before closing, at closing, after closing
Split the work into three windows. Do these and you’ll avoid late fees, interrupted services, and tax headaches.
- Before closing: lock down where mail and bills go. Book movers. Notify key government agencies.
- At closing: confirm your lawyer has your forwarding address and knows about final property tax adjustments.
- After closing: confirm services are canceled or transferred and check for stray mail.
Step-by-step checklist for Georgetown home sellers
- Book Canada Post forwarding (7–14 days before move)
- Go to the Canada Post Change of Address service online. Set up mail forwarding from your old Georgetown address to your new address. Pick the start date on or just after closing day.
- Tip: Keep the forwarding active at least 6 months. That catches subscriptions, pensions, and government mail.
- Tell your real estate lawyer your forwarding address (before closing)
- Your lawyer must have your new address to send final statements, tax adjustments, and any residual closing funds. If you don’t give it, delivery delays create follow-up work.
- Include a daytime phone and email.
- Update ServiceOntario records (driver’s licence, health card)
- Use ServiceOntario to update your address on your driver’s licence and health card. Some updates can be done online or in-person at a ServiceOntario centre.
- Why it matters: your driver’s licence address is used by many services and ID checks during the first months after a move.
- Update the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- Change your address through CRA My Account or by phone. This makes sure tax notices, benefits (GST/HST credit, CPP, OAS) and assessment letters arrive at the right place.
- If you expect a refund or have pending correspondence, do this before the next tax season.
- Notify the Town of Halton Hills and finalize property tax details
- Tell the Town of Halton Hills your forwarding address. Confirm how property tax adjustments will be handled at closing. Your lawyer usually calculates the municipal tax pro‑rations, but you must confirm mailing for the final tax bill or refund.
- Contact utilities and local services (power, gas, water, waste)
- Providers you’ll likely deal with: electricity (local utility provider serving Halton Region), Enbridge Gas for natural gas, and local water/waste services through the Town of Halton Hills. Check your last bills for account numbers.
- Schedule final meter reads and a final bill on closing day or the day after.
- Update insurance, mortgage lender, and lawyer
- Cancel or transfer your home insurance. Tell your mortgage lender about the sale so they can prepare discharge documents for closing.
- Provide your new address to your lender to receive mortgage discharge confirmation and any remaining correspondence.
- Change accounts: banks, credit cards, subscriptions
- Update your address with banks, investment accounts, life & auto insurance, subscriptions, and loyalty programs.
- Use this simple rule: start with anything tied to legal or financial records. Those are high priority.
- Update personal registrations: Elections Canada, schools, health providers
- Update voter registration with Elections Canada. If you have children, tell their school boards and update student records.
- Notify your family doctor and dentist of your new address if you expect mail or appointment confirmation.
- Perform a final sweep 2 weeks after closing
- Check for mail forwarded by Canada Post. Review electronic statements from CRA, banks, and utility providers.
- If anything still goes to the old address, contact the sender and update your details directly.
Who handles the legal transfer of property records? Not you — your lawyer does
The transfer of legal title and registration with the land registry is handled by your lawyer or notary at closing. What you must do:
- Provide ID and sign the necessary documents when your lawyer asks.
- Supply your forwarding address and direct deposit for any surplus funds.
- Confirm how property tax and utility adjustments are being handled.
If a lawyer asks for anything unusual, ask directly what will be filed and where. If you’re unsure, call your realtor to confirm standard process.
Georgetown-specific tips that save time
- Town of Halton Hills online services: Use Halton Hills’ property tax portal to confirm account numbers and to understand how tax refunds are issued post-closing.
- Local utility nuances: Some accounts in the Halton Region transfer differently — confirm whether the new owner will set up a new account or the provider will transfer service automatically.
- Timing: Closings in Georgetown often target month-end for accounting convenience. Try to avoid month-end move dates to reduce proration confusion.
Common mistakes that cost time and money (avoid these)
- Forgetting to give your lawyer a forwarding address. Result: delayed funds and tax notices.
- Not scheduling final meter reads. Result: contested final bills.
- Letting Canada Post forwarding lapse after three months. Result: missed official mail, like CRA notices.
- Overlooking municipal updates. Result: property tax bills go to the wrong address and penalties appear.
A quick packing + records transfer action list (48–72 hours before closing)
- Confirm Canada Post start date.
- Provide forwarding address to your lawyer, lender, and insurer.
- Schedule final reads with utility companies.
- Bring original ID to your lawyer’s office if required.
- Confirm movers and keep an accessible box with important documents (closing statement, ID, insurance papers).
How your realtor helps (and why you should use them)
Your realtor coordinates the timeline, reminds you to provide addresses, and helps verify that the buyer’s lawyer and your lawyer have matching closing instructions. A local realtor understands Halton Hills protocols and can check municipal requirements so nothing gets missed.
Want help? I’ve guided dozens of Georgetown sellers through clean closings. I’ll confirm the exact local utility providers, make the checklist specific to your house, and give you a single day-of-closing timeline. Contact Tony Sousa at tony@sousasells.ca or 416-477-2620, or visit https://www.sousasells.ca
Final checklist you can copy and use
- Canada Post forwarding set up
- Lawyer has forwarding address and deposit details
- ServiceOntario address updated
- CRA My Account updated
- Town of Halton Hills notified
- Utilities scheduled for final reads/cancellation
- Insurance and mortgage lender notified
- Banks, subscriptions, and registrations updated
- Final sweep 2 weeks after closing
FAQ — Answers Georgetown sellers ask most often
Q: When should I set up Canada Post forwarding?
A: Set it at least 7–14 days before closing. Start forwarding on or the day after closing to catch any mail that arrives during the handover.
Q: Will my final property tax bill still come to the old address?
A: It can. Your lawyer will typically handle tax prorations at closing, but you must still give the Town of Halton Hills a forwarding address to receive any remaining tax bills or rebates.
Q: Who transfers the property title?
A: Your lawyer or notary registers the transfer with the Ontario land registry on closing day. You don’t file the deed yourself.
Q: Which agencies are highest priority to update first?
A: Canada Post, your lawyer, CRA, ServiceOntario, mortgage lender, and home insurer. Those affect finances and legal documents.
Q: What if I miss a government notice after I move?
A: Use Canada Post forwarding and update your CRA and ServiceOntario records promptly. If you miss something critical, contact the agency directly and provide your new address and ID. Keep emails and phone records of your update.
Q: Can my buyer take over utilities immediately?
A: Usually yes, but you must confirm final reads and the disconnection or transfer date with the utility providers. Avoid surprises by scheduling final readings on or immediately after closing.
Q: Who pays for final utility bills?
A: The seller pays for utilities up to closing. Final bills are typically reconciled at closing through your lawyer.
If you want a personalized checklist and a one-call closing day plan for your Georgetown sale, email tony@sousasells.ca or call 416-477-2620. Local expertise cuts mistakes and keeps closing day clean. Contact today and get the checklist customized to your property.
