Moving to Washington: utilities and your first-month checklist
Which company serves your new address depends on where in Washington 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 Washington
Much of western Washington outside Seattle and Tacoma (Bellevue, Olympia, Bellingham, Kitsap)Seattle City Light
City of Seattle and nearby suburbs (public power)Tacoma Public Utilities (Tacoma Power)
Tacoma and surrounding area (public; also water)Snohomish County PUD
Snohomish County and Camano Island (public power)Avista
Spokane and eastern WashingtonPacific Power
Yakima, Walla Walla and south-central Washington
Natural gas in Washington
Seattle, Tacoma and much of western WashingtonCascade Natural Gas
Many communities in western, central and eastern WashingtonAvista
Spokane and eastern WashingtonNW Natural
Vancouver and Clark County
Water in Washington
Usually run by the city, town or county. Search the new address's town name with "water service".
Help with the bills
If deposits or bills are a stretch, Washington 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 Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission regulates utilities in Washington and takes complaints.
New-resident deadlines in Washington
- Driver's license: within 30 days of moving. Official page
- Car registration and title: within 30 days of moving. Official page
- Washington driver license office
- Register to vote in Washington
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.