Change of Address Service (Redirection)

1	What’s In This Chapter

The following sections are covered in this chapter:

2

What Is Change of Address Service (Redirection)?

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This is a service which permits Customers to have their mail redirected to either a new address or a temporary address upon completion of a Change of Address Notification form and payment of the appropriate fee. Customers can also visit www.canadapost.ca to access the service.

Permanent Change of Address Service (Redirection) applies when an individual or a family moves from one residence to another residence or when a business/organization moves from one location to another – with no intention of returning to the previous address.

Temporary Change of Address Service (Redirection) applies when the residential Customer or business/organization wishes to have mail redirected to an address at which they will be residing or operating on a temporary basis. Residents of Canada wintering outside of the country typically use this service.

3

Pricing Information

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To obtain information on pricing, see Canada Post Prices.

4

Payment Options

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4.1	Proofs of Payment

Table 1 lists the acceptable proofs of payment for Change of Address Service (Redirection) only if payment is made in an non-automated office.

4.2	Methods of Payment

Table 2 lists the acceptable methods of payment for Change of Address Service (Redirection). Some restrictions or conditions may apply.

For more information, see section 4.6 “Pay for the Item” of the “ABCs of Mailing” chapter.

5

Service Standards at a Glance

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Service standards are estimates of how long it will take for the mail to be delivered. These service standards are not guaranteed.

The service standard equals the service standard of the postal service initially used, plus one day, plus the service standard from the old address to the new address.

6

Change of Address Notification (COAN) Form

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When planning a move (permanent or temporary), a Customer should complete a Change of Address Notification form available at post offices and pay the appropriate fee. Current, valid, original, personal, government-issued customer identification must be provided to purchase the Change of Address Service. The Customer will receive confirmation of his request by mail at his old address.

The Customer can also purchase Change of Address Service (Redirection) at www.canadapost.ca and will receive confirmation of his request by email. In certain situations, a Change of Address cannot be submitted electronically. For example:

• if the request is on behalf of a deceased person
• if the request is made by a guardian or trustee
• if there is a dispute regarding the receipt of mail
• if the request is from a school or a military installation.

A maximum for four (4) individuals, four (4) families, or two (2) businesses (or a combination of two family names and two businesses) can use the Change of Address Notification form provided the original and forwarding address is the same. When a business and individual or family share the same form, the business price applies.

6.1	Deceased Person

There will be no charge applied to the Change of Address Service on behalf of a deceased person’s estate. Service will apply to the deceased person’s last known address and will be valid for a full year.

If the individual is acting on behalf of a deceased person, in addition to personal identification, the individual will need:

• Proof of appointment as the legal representative by providing documents such as one of the following:

• Grant of Letters probate
• Letters of administration (with or without Will attached)
• Certificate of Appointment of the estate liquidator or Certified statement of the liquidator (État certifié des droits du Liquidateur, Québec), or
• Canada Post Statutory Declaration form (40-076-696) regarding Proof of Authority;

AND one of the following documents:

• a death certificate (issued by the applicable government Vital Statistics office)
• Medical Examiner’s certificate
• Funeral Director’s certificate
• Cremation certificate
• other certificate by a comparable authority (e.g., death outside the country).

7

Service Features

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The permanent service is available for a six or twelve month period for both Customers and businesses. The service can be renewed as many times as desired.

The minimum fee for temporary residential Customers is for a three month period. The minimum fee for temporary commercial Customers is for one month. However, Change of Address Service can be requested for a shorter period of time.

The service can be renewed, providing the renewal is requested three (3) days before the expiry date of the service. There are no limitations on the additional periods of renewal. The renewal fee will be based on the current service fee at the time of purchase.

If the original request was for less than three (3) months, and the Customer subsequently wishes to renew the service for any period of time, the renewal fee will be calculated based on the period in excess of three (3) months.

Schools may combine Hold Mail service with Change of Address Service. School service is based on an annual fee.

7.1	Expiry or Cancellation

When the Permanent Change of Address Service expires, mail addressed to the old address will be delivered as addressed. When the Temporary Change of Address Service expires, mail delivery to the old address resumes.

A Customer may amend the service by presenting the receipt at any post office. The appropriate fee must be paid for requests to redirect mail to an address which is different from the one indicated on the original Change of Address Notification form.

A Customer may cancel the service at any time by presenting the receipt at any post office. However, no refund will be granted once the Change of Address Service has commenced.

7.2	Mail Redirection Destinations

Mail can be (permanently or temporarily) redirected for Customers and businesses from any Canadian address to any other address in Canada, the U.S.A. and most international destinations (dutiable items excluded).

7.3	Restrictions

Change of Address requests cannot be accepted from Customers who receive mail through:

• an institution such as a business, hotel, motel, rooming house, nursing home, hospital or school
• a shared postal address (e.g., several businesses have a common postal address), privately administered mail boxes.

In cases of dissolved partnerships, marriages etc., if there is a dispute over who should receive the mail, a joint written agreement, signed by both parties, will be required.

Parcels (e.g., Priority Courier™, Xpresspost™, Expedited Parcel™, Regular Parcel™, Xpresspost Certified™ and Library Books™) will be redirected, where possible, within Canada only. Customers expecting any parcel deliveries should advise the sender(s) of their new address.

7.4	Right of Refusal

Canada Post and its agents (including, but not limited to authorized dealers) shall not be responsible for any direct, indirect, general, special or consequential damages arising out of or in any way connected to the Agreement between the Customer and Canada Post regardless of whether such damages are based on contract or tort.

7.5	Helping Manage Your Mail

Canada Post can help Customers notify businesses and other organizations of their new address. Under this service, the new address will only be provided to businesses and other licensed mail service providers who have the old address. They will be able to use this information only to update or correct their mailing lists.

If Customers do not want Canada Post to assist in notifying organizations of their new address, they should check the box I do not wish to receive this service on the Change of Address Notification form.

7.6	Privacy Act

The use of Customer information gathered by Canada Post is governed by the Privacy Act.

8

Change of Address Announcement Cards

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Change of Address Announcement cards are available at post offices for Customers’ use to notify their correspondents of their new (permanent) or temporary address. The announcement cards are free but they require the Lettermail rate of postage when addressed for delivery in Canada. For delivery outside Canada, the Letter-post price applies.

9

Courtesy Change of Mailing Address Cards

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Canada Post will provide a limited quantity of postage-paid courtesy cards to Customers who must change their address as a result of an operational change at Canada Post. In such cases, the Customer’s mail is redirected for a period of 6 months free of charge. Courtesy Card Change of Mailing Address cards are available in all post offices.

10

Enquiries

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General enquiries concerning Change of Address Service of mail should be directed to the Customer Relationship Support group at www.canadapost.ca/contactus or by phone at 1-800-267-1177.

11

Addressing

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The Change of Address Notification form must include legible and complete addresses with the correct postal code. See the chapter “Addressing Guidelines” for more information.

12

National Change of Address (NCOA)™

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The National Change of Address (NCOA) service provides small and large businesses with the most accurate and up-to-date mover information available in Canada. Each year, Canada Post captures electronically information regarding movers who have filed a Change of Address Notification (COAN). This information is made available to licensees of the National Change of Address service. Canada Post will not transmit information concerning those Customers who have indicated that they do not want the Corporation to provide their new address to organizations with which they already have a relationship.

The NCOA database can be accessed through Mail Service Providers, who offer address list updating to their Customers on a fee-for-service basis. Customers may also access the National Change of Address database by becoming an NCOA licensee.

For more information on becoming an NCOA licensee, Customers may contact Product Management by phone at 1-800-363-3459.

Customers may also visit Address Management’s web page at www.canadapost.ca/offerings/address_management/can/ncoa-e.asp for more information.

13

smartmoves™ Program

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13.1	For Consumers

The smartmoves Program offers consumers who purchase the Change of Address (Redirection) service the opportunity to proactively forward their new address to organizations that they currently do business with and/or to those organizations from which they are interested in receiving promotional information. These organizations will be able to communicate directly with the moving consumer through the smartmoves Program. As part of the Change of Address (Redirection) service, the consumer will also receive a complimentary magazine, smartmoves - The Guide for Your New Home. The magazine contains helpful move-in tips on decorating, renovating and occasional money saving offers. The magazine is received by all moving households approximately two (2) - three (3) weeks after their move. Visit www.smartmoves.ca for more detailed information on the smartmoves Program.

13.2	For Organizations

The smartmoves Program provides organizations wishing to connect with moving consumers with the ability to connect with moving Canadian Households through the Canada Post Redirection service. Organizations can advertise their products and services on the smartmoves web site and collect data through the Address Change Notification Service. In addition, the smartmoves Program provides organizations with national, regional and targeted advertising solutions through the magazine, smartmoves - The Guide for Your New Home. The magazine is received by all moving households approximately two (2) - three (3) weeks after their move. Visit www.smartmoves.ca for more detailed information on the smartmoves Program.