Twelve Weeks Prior to Move Date

Twelve weeks (three months) before the move, be sure to do the following:

Task	Complete Date	Comments
Make an appointment for a counseling session at your base transportation office.
Start saving for non-reimbursable moving expenses.
Discuss the moving process with your children to overcome their fear of relocation.
Start to keep track of tax deductible moving expenses (i.e., the cost of pre-move househunting).
Make an inventory of possessions and valuable items (take pictures or video tape). Get appraisals for antiques or collections.
Start organizing personal records like birth certificates, insurance papers or warranties.
Make a list of whom to notify concerning your move and forwarding address.
Let clubs/organizations that you belong to know you are leaving. Transfer your membership if possible.
Take care of necessary medical, optical or dental appointments. Obtain your records or find out how to forward them later.
Have Power of Attorney or Letter of Authorization drawn up for unforeseen circumstances.
Go through closets and drawers to sort through clothes and other items to give away or sell.
Make sure all stickers from previous moves have been removed from furniture.
Do not place any more mail order purchases.

 Eight Weeks Prior to Move Date

Eight weeks (two months) before the move, be sure to do the following:

Task	Complete Date	Comments
Start using up canned foods, spray paints and other consumables.
Review inventory and decide what you need to take with you and what you can get rid of.
Begin sorting out and disposing of items you don't need. You can hold a Garage Sale or try an online marketplace such as eBay.
If you are buying a new home at your new location, you should choose one as soon as possible, arrange financing, and set tentative closing dates.
If your spouse has a job, s/he should give required notice of termination and get a referral letter. Your spouse should also update his/her resume for finding a job at your new location.
If you require child care at your new location, start looking into your available options.
If you have school-age children, check school schedules and enrollment requirements at your new location.
If you have a car, truck or auto, be sure that all maintenance and repairs are taken care of now. Be sure you still have your proof of insurance for the car. Check your new location for information on vehicle stickers and licensing.
Contact your insurance company about protection for auto(s), home and household storage, and high-value items.
If you have pets, have them checked by a local vet, and be sure that all vaccinations and inoculations are up to date. Get a copy of your pet's medical records.
Close out any local charge accounts.
If necessary, open up an account and a safe deposit box at a bank at your new location. This may be a good time to look into banking online for ease of transactions during your move.
Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles at your new location for information on a new driver's license and registration.

Four Weeks Prior to Move Date

Four weeks (one month) before the move, be sure to do the following:

Task	Complete Date	Comments
Schedule pickup and delivery dates with your mover, and arrange for storage if needed.
Verify your move-in schedule with real estate agents and landlords, and arrange for temporary housing/lodgings if needed.
Obtain change of address cards from the post office. If your new address is not yet known, you can still address cards now to save time later.
If you haven't found a new residence yet, obtain a post office box or forwarding address for your mail until you have a permanent address.
Pick up your children's school records or get the proper procedures for sending the records to their new school.
Arrange for letter of transfer from local church and clubs, including Scouts or other national organizations.
If you or someone in your family is employed, arrange with your employer to forward tax withholding forms.
Spouse and children with part time jobs should give notice.
Ensure that all health, life, fire and auto insurance is up to date, and inform these companies of your new address.
Return library books, videos and other borrowed items.
Ensure that your vehicle(s) are in good running condition and that all required maintenance has been completed.
Record serial numbers of electronic and other important equipment.
Fill out an IRS change of address form (available from the IRS in PDF format).
Have appliances serviced for moving.
Inform electric, disposal, water, newspaper, magazine subscription, telephone and cable companies of your move, and cancel any local subscriptions or services (i.e., pool, diaper, fuel delivery) if necessary. If you have placed any deposits, get your refunds.

One Week Prior to Move Date

One week before the move, be sure to do the following:

Task	Complete Date	Comments
Close out safety deposit box if you have one.
Make copies of any important documents before mailing or hand-carrying them to your new address.
Disassemble electronic components such as stereos and VCRs.
If you have a computer, "park" hard disk drive units, then disconnect computer systems. Place floppy disks in protective cases before packing into cartons.
Set aside cleaning materials to be used after packing and loading.
Ship items that will help you set up housekeeping at your new address immediately, such as linens, dishes, etc.
Keep a household inventory list on hand to carry with your personal luggage.
Make a complete inventory of all the boxes you will have moved to your new location -- you will need to check this later after you move in.
Attach colored stickers to your boxes to correspond with rooms in your new home where you want your boxes to go. If you are using movers, prepare a color-coded map of your new house, so they'll know exactly where to take your belongings.
Make sure that cash, jewelry, important documents, your checkbook and other valuable items are secure and placed with the suitcases and other items you are hand-carrying yourself. Do not ship jewelry.
Remove outside TV and radio antennas.
Remove air conditioners from windows.
Remove pictures and mirrors from walls.
Disconnect gas and electrical appliances. Moving companies are NOT required to perform the disconnects or to reconnect at the destination address.
Remove all light bulbs from lamps.

 Moving Day

Be sure to do the following:

Task	Completed	Comments
Make sure cash, jewelry, important documents, checkbook and other valuable items are secure.
Double-check closets, drawers, shelves, the attic and garage to be sure you have packed everything.
Have a marker handy to make extra notes on boxes.
If you are hand-carrying any boxes with you, be sure to mark "DO NOT MOVE" on them clearly.
Carry a box of "basics" you'll need on move-in day (i.e., tools, paper products, housecleaning supplies, emergency kits, etc.).
Watch loading and unloading, and examine all items carefully before signing a receipt.
Make sure the condition of belongings is accurately noted. If anything is marked "scratched, dented, or soiled" also note the location of such entries.
Leave all the old keys that are needed by the new tenant or owner with your realtor or a neighbor.
Carry travelers checks for quick, available funds. You should have enough to cover the cost of moving services and expenses until you are settled in.
Hand-carry finance, medical and dental records.