Moving to Ohio: utilities and your first-month checklist
Which company serves your new address depends on where in Ohio 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 Ohio
Columbus and central, southern, eastern and northwest OhioOhio Edison (FirstEnergy)
Akron, Youngstown and much of northeast and north-central OhioThe Illuminating Company (FirstEnergy)
Cleveland and northeast OhioToledo Edison (FirstEnergy)
Toledo and northwest OhioDuke Energy Ohio
Cincinnati and southwest OhioAES Ohio
Dayton and west-central Ohio
Natural gas in Ohio
Columbus, Toledo, Mansfield, Springfield and much of the stateEnbridge Gas Ohio
Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown and northeast Ohio (formerly Dominion Energy Ohio)Duke Energy Ohio
Cincinnati and southwest OhioCenterPoint Energy Ohio
Dayton and west-central Ohio
Water in Ohio
Choosing a supplier
Ohio lets some customers choose who supplies their electricity and gas. The wires and pipes stay with the utility. Compare on the state's own page before signing anything a door-to-door seller offers: official shopping page.
Help with the bills
If deposits or bills are a stretch, Ohio 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 Public Utilities Commission of Ohio regulates utilities in Ohio and takes complaints.
New-resident deadlines in Ohio
- Driver's license: within 30 days of moving. Official page
- Car registration and title: within 30 days of moving. Official page
- Inspection: Emissions test (E-Check) in some counties before registering. Official page
- Ohio driver license office
- Register to vote in Ohio
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.