Moving to North Carolina: utilities and your first-month checklist
Which company serves your new address depends on where in North Carolina it is. Each link below goes to that company's own page for starting service. Start it two to three weeks ahead, from the day you get the keys.
Electric companies in North Carolina
Charlotte, the Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem), Durham and the western PiedmontDuke Energy Progress
Raleigh, eastern NC (Wilmington, Fayetteville) and Asheville areaDominion Energy North Carolina
Northeastern NC (Outer Banks, Roanoke Rapids area)
Natural gas in North Carolina
Charlotte, the Triad, and Piedmont and eastern NC citiesEnbridge Gas North Carolina (formerly PSNC Energy)
Raleigh-Durham, Gastonia, Asheville and parts of central and western NC
Water in North Carolina
Hundreds of neighborhood systems statewideCarolina Water Service
Neighborhood systems in many NC counties
Help with the bills
If deposits or bills are a stretch, North Carolina runs energy assistance: official assistance page. Ask the utility about deposit waivers too; many waive the deposit with a good payment letter from your old company.
Problems with a utility
The North Carolina Utilities Commission regulates utilities in North Carolina and takes complaints.
New-resident deadlines in North Carolina
- Driver's license: within 60 days of moving. Official page
- Car registration and title: check the official page for the deadline. Official page
- Inspection: Not needed to register the first time. An annual safety inspection, plus emissions in 19 counties, is needed before you renew. Official page
- North Carolina driver license office
- Register to vote in North Carolina
From the state's own websites, checked October 2026. Deadlines can change; check the official page before you rely on one.
Your first month in a new state
- USPS: change your address: Start mail forwarding up to 30 days early. The real site is usps.com.
- Your new state's motor vehicle office: Driver's license, registration and title. Most states set a short deadline after you move, so check yours first.
- Register to vote: Routes you to the official registration for the new state.
- Medicaid, if you have it: Medicaid doesn't move with you. You apply again in the new state.
- Health insurance: A permanent move can open a special enrollment period.
- Social Security: Change your address once here; Medicare gets it from Social Security.
Utility companies and service areas checked October 2026. Service areas follow addresses, not county lines exactly: confirm with the company before you book.