Moving Checklist

• Review your relocation package and determine what expenses will be paid by Enterprise.
• Compile a personal file of important papers for each family member.
  • Birth certificate
  • Immunization record
  • Social Security Card
  • Passport (if needed)
  • Naturalization papers (if applicable)
  • Child ID file
  • Adoption Papers (if applicable)
  • Medical Files (see Important Records)
• Set up a Family Records file.
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Insurance Policies (or list of companies, policy numbers, type of Insurance, address, phone number).
  • Power of Attorney (check expiration date)
  • Original Will
  • Bank Books
  • State and Federal tax records
  • Car Registration and Title
  • Deeds and Mortgages
  • Professional licenses
  • Divorce Papers
  • Spouse resume and last pay statement
  • List of Stocks and Bonds
  • Personal File for each family member
• Inventory household goods and begin to remove clutter (start with the basement, attic, garage, and other storage areas). This inventory will be helpful if you need to file an insurance claim later. If possible, take pictures or video tape belongings. Record serial numbers of electronic equipment. Segment inventory into three categories:
  1. items to pack,
  2. items that you will move yourself,
  3. items that will be discarded.
  Don't forget to list books, china, silver, glassware, linens, tools, clothing, sports and hobby equipment, pictures, musical instruments, cameras in addition to furniture, curtains, lamps, rugs, etc.
• Some daycare facilities, pre-schools and private schools may have a waiting list. You may want to get your name on the waiting list or pre-register your child/children in the new city/town.
• Contact the Chamber of Commerce in your new town. Request a relocation package. Research to learn as much as possible about the new location – schools, medical facilities, housing, climate, recreational and higher education opportunities, etc.
• Start a moving expense receipt log (some costs may be tax deductible).
• Provide day care center proper withdrawal notice.
• If renting, send written notice of your intention to move to your current landlord or agent. Make a reservation for an elevator on the day of your move, if necessary.
• Refer to the following information:
  • Household Goods – Services/Items Not Covered – These items are not covered under the Relocation Policy.
  • Non-Allowables – Items that you should not ship or are restricted from shipping.

Tips for an International Move

• Renew passports of all accompanying family members if they are not valid at least until your next trip to your home country.
• Dispose of items that you do not plan to move overseas.
• Request information on how to obtain visa, residency and/or work permits before the move. These procedures can take many weeks – even months to complete so begin as soon as possible. See the Immigration section of this site.
• Check regulations (for vaccinations and quarantine times) and organize the transportation of pets. Learn about vaccinations and quarantine required of imported pets.
• Make arrangements to open credit card and bank accounts at destination and request bank and credit references for use overseas.

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• Pick up a Change-of-Address Kit from the Post Office. Also notify the address change with:
  • Friends and family
  • Banks
  • Insurance companies
  • Credit card companies
  • Magazines and newspapers
  • Doctors, dentists and other providers – transfer drug prescriptions
  • Past employer – for W2 forms
• Take a look around the house and think about what you don't want to move.
  • Use up perishable foods
  • Sell or donate unwanted items
  • Clean closets and drawers
  • Use up cleaning supplies that cannot be moved
• Have pieces of art, antiques, and other valuables appraised.

Tips for an International Move

• Obtain international driving licenses. Depending on the country of destination, you may need to obtain a local driving license after attending a local driving school and passing a practical/theoretical driving test. In all cases, keep your actual driving license with you as it may be requested by local authorities and may help you avoid having to pass a test.
• Learn about your country of destination through Internet websites, guides, brochures, video tapes and CD ROMs and share this information with all family members. A good resource is http://www.internationalrelocationcenter.com/.
• Check the electrical supply of your country of destination. Ask local electricians if your appliances will function with the adapters and/or transformers. TV systems must be compatible also.
• Familiarize yourself with the currency in your destination country; currency converters are available on the Internet.
• Research health information about your country of destination. Some websites provide the latest information for travelers and health information on specific destinations. Find hospitals and learn how healthcare is structured in the new country. Check the vaccination requirements for travelers. Some vaccines must be given several weeks before departure so schedule these with your General Practitioner. Discuss with your doctors procedures to renew prescriptions to continue treatment abroad.
• Learn about public transportation options.

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• Stop by and make arrangements for picking up your important records:
  • Birth
  • Doctor
  • Dentist
  • Legal
  • Optician, optometrist
  • School – make sure you get one with a raised seal
  • Veterinarian
• Make necessary travel arrangements with airlines, buses, vehicle rental agencies and hotels.
• Make temporary housing arrangements, if necessary.
• Schedule disconnection of utility services at the old home and the connection of them at your new one. Disconnect the day after you leave and connect the day before you arrive. Get deposit refunds where applicable. Provide address information for their final bill:
  • Cable – return box if necessary
  • Electric
  • Gas
  • Trash/disposal
  • Internet access
  • Telephone
  • Water
• Contact your child's new school and notify them of your upcoming move to the area.
• Give resignation notice to clubs, organizations or volunteer activities and transfer memberships in churches, clubs and other organizations.

Tips for an International Move

• If possible, try not to make travel plans overseas on the same day as the move.
• A pre-move survey of household goods by the moving company is the key to a successful move. During the visit don't hesitate to ask about the period of time required for delivery and what documents have to be submitted for customs.

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• Prepare auto registration for transfer (if moving to another state) and pay or resolve current traffic tickets, taxes or claims. Outstanding "penalties" can delay registrations in other jurisdictions.
• Make moving day child-care arrangements.
• Register for absentee voter status in your home city.

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• Put your vital documents in one place
  • Passports
  • Military records
  • Mortgage records
  • Marriage license
  • Birth certificates
  • Vehicle titles
  • Stock certificates
  • Insurance papers
  • Bank records
  • School records
  • Medical records
  • Tax records
• Back up important computer files – it is best to carry the back-up tapes with you if you can.
• Service your car to prepare for the move. If you're moving from a warm climate to a cold one, check the antifreeze.
• Cancel newspaper delivery
• Check with your insurance agent to make sure you'll be covered through your homeowner's or renter's policy during the move.
• Return any borrowed items (including library books) and retrieve any loaned items.
• Notify creditors of your move and provide them your new address.
• Transfer prescriptions and make sure you have an adequate supply of medication.
• Create a file of information to leave for the new owner of your home. (i.e. appliance manuals, blue prints, etc.)
• Pick up laundry at dry cleaners.
• Pack a travel kit:
  • Include critical items like checkbook, credit cards, personal phone book, ID, flashlight, keys, toiletries, tools, paper plates, cups, towels, moist towelettes, travel alarm clock, aspirin, bandages and games for the kids and spare car keys. Also, pack a suitcase with clothing and other personal items. Carry important phone numbers with you.

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• Check with your bank about procedures for transferring funds or closing accounts. Make sure you have enough cash or credit available for the new location for utility deposits if required.
• Confirm dates and arrangements with moving and storage companies.
• Confirm vehicle and pet transportation arrangements.
• Confirm hotel, vehicle rental or temporary housing arrangements.
• Federal law requires disposal of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer. Drain fuel from your lawn mower and other machinery. Discard partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach, or any other substances that may be flammable or combustible or those stored in containers that may leak. Discard propane tanks for barbecue grills.
• Make a list of items to take in the car with you: (See travel and survival kits listed above).
  • Toys and games for kids
  • Special breakable items or collections
  • Important documents and records
  • Change of clothes and toiletries for 3-4 days
  • Vacuum cleaner – if you want to clean right away
  • Toilet paper
  • First aid kit
  • Food kit with bottled water, cereal, bananas
• Buy moving insurance, if necessary, for valuable antiques and collections.
• Defrost freezer and refrigerator and place deodorizer inside.
• Give a close friend or relative the details of your travel schedule and route so you may be reached if needed.
• Take pets to vet for immunization, if necessary.

Tips for an International Move

• While preparing for the movers, try to divide belongings into groups, i.e. AIR/SEA/STORAGE/DO NOT PACK, etc.
• Dispose of alcohol. Most countries do not allow alcohol through customs.

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• Parents of small children should take some child-proofing devices (outlet covers, cabinet locks, etc.) to have available upon arrival.
• Empty and close your safe-deposit box.
• Settle outstanding bills with local businesses.
• Unplug all electronic appliances (including home computers, stereos, audio/video equipment) 24 hours before the move, except plasma televisions, so that they will be at room temperature on moving day.
• Drain water hoses.
• Set aside items to travel in your car so they will not be packed and loaded on the truck.
• Pack a box of items that will be needed first upon arrival. Clearly mark this box "Load Last."
  • Also make a "Survival Box" for the move. Include paper, pens, stamps, envelopes, cellophane & heavy duty tape, scissors, tape measure, zip lock bags, plastic utensils, facial & toilet tissue, instant coffee or tea, cream/sugar, can opener, bottled water, small took kit, trash bags, alarm clock, paper towels (for immediate cleaning).
  • Don't Forget! Old Phone Books (to stay in touch with old friends), items at the cleaners, your new/forwarding address, cleaning supplies (to clean your old home) and anything in secret hiding places/safes in the house
• Put in one place all personal items that you plan to carry with you (i.e. passports, documents, work permits, any invoices for customs, jewelry, money, airline tickets, clothing and toys, etc.).
• Confirm arrival time of your moving van/truck. Make arrangements with neighbors for enough parking space for the moving van on the day of the move.
• Confirm child-care arrangements for moving/arrival day.
• Prepare a simple breakfast for the next morning.
• Talk to your truck driver. Give them a "heads up" about any obstacles for a large moving van. Get the driver's cell phone number for any emergencies.
• Pick up ice and beverages for moving day.
• Get a good nights sleep.

Tips for an International Move

• Take enough clothes to cover you until your air freight or sea freight shipment arrives.

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