Moving somewhere new can be an exciting adventure, but it can also be a stressful process. Military families face the added complexity of moving more often than most civilian families due to Permanent Change of Station (PCS), which involve both the complexities of civilian relocations, including logistics, financial planning, and timing, as well as the added challenge of navigating military and government entities to schedule and carry out the move, and managing military entitlements, such as allowances and reimbursements. With so many details to manage, consider using a PCS move checklist to help you stay organized and ensure a smooth transition.
Below, you’ll find a comprehensive PCS move checklist designed to help your military family stay on track and minimize the stress of your next move. From pre-move preparations to post-move essentials, this list covers everything you’ll need to consider to make your PCS move as seamless as possible.
Before You Start — Essential First Steps
As soon as you get the PCS Orders, start preparing everything you’ll need for the move. This will prevent the added stress of having to search for items or documents on moving day, when you’ll likely already be distracted and overwhelmed.
- Read and verify PCS Orders: Confirm duty date, reporting location, entitlements, and move type (HHG shipment, Personally Procured Move/PPM).
- Do your research and learn about your new home and community. Utilize social media outlets, like Facebook and Instagram. Join installation and spouse pages so you can ask questions like “What neighborhoods/parts of town are recommended to live? What are the best schools in the area? What are some social events to attend?”
- Build a PCS binder: Some essentials you should consider keeping in a folder or binder include:
- PCS orders and all amendments
- Leave form/PTDY authorization
- DPS shipment paperwork
- Car titles, vehicle shipping documents and/or weight tickets
- Claims paperwork instructions
- Passports
- Medical records
- School records and immunization forms
- Housing applications
- Personal documents
- Insurance paperwork
- Marriage licenses, birth certificates, and Social Security cards
- Travel reservations
- Household inventory
- Pet records
- Any other information relevant to your transition
- Notify key parties: Get in touch with your transportation office, sponsor, base Relocation Readiness Program, and landlord/realtor, as needed. Set up move notifications with the transportation office early.
Financial Prep and PCS Entitlements
Servicemembers and their families are eligible for certain PCS entitlements and allowances that can help offset the cost of your move.
- Understand PCS allowances and benefits: These include Dislocation Allowance (DLA) to partially reimburse a member for household relocation expenses, Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) or Allowance (TLA) for overseas moves, mileage, advance pay, or per diem. For a complete list and more information, visit the Defense Travel website. Some of these allowances can be relatively significant. Understand what they are so you can receive everything you’re entitled to.
- Track expenses and keep receipts: All of the benefits associated with a military move require supporting documentation when filing for them. Maintaining a travel journal or filling out vouchers during your transition can help streamline the reimbursement process. You can keep these expenses and receipts in your PCS folder for better organization.
- Budget for out-of-pocket costs: PCS moves may involve expenses not covered by entitlements, such as pet transport, meals, or storage. Make sure you know what won’t be covered so you can budget accordingly.
PCS Timeline Planning
Working with a timeline may help you keep track of what you need to do and when, so nothing slips through the cracks.
3+ Months Before Moving
Well ahead of your PCS, you can start preparing for the move.
- Complete your transportation briefing.
- Decide on HHG vs. PPM move.
- Declutter your home and plan on what to keep, donate, or sell. You may need to consider short- or long-term storage as part of your military PCS move if:
- You’re moving to a different climate and no longer need certain clothes.
- There’s a gap in time between your temporary and permanent housing.
- You have items you don’t want to move, but still want to keep.
- Your new home will be smaller than your old one.
6–8 Weeks Before Move
This is when you should begin focusing on the logistics of your move.
- Confirm housing at your next duty station.
- Update or renew applicable ID cards, driver’s licenses, and passports/visas for all travelers.
2–4 Weeks Before Move
In the immediate weeks leading up to your move, it’s time to finalize the essentials.
- Finalize packing plans with movers or DITY/PPM prep.
- Inventory your household goods and take photos for documentation.
Packing and Moving Day Checklist
The big day has arrived! By now, you should ideally have everything organized, finalized, and ready to move. Here are some things to consider to keep yourself stress free on moving day.
- Must-pack items to hand-carry: These items don’t go into regular moving boxes and shouldn't be handled by anyone other than you or an immediate family member for easy access.
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- PCS binder
- Travel documents
- Passports
- Prescriptions and immunization records
- Valuables
- Uniforms
- Electronics
- Chargers
- Set of basic tools
- Pet supplies
- Glasses/contacts
- A few days of clothing for each family member
- Comfort items for kids (favorite toy, blanket)
- Labeling and organization: Color-code boxes by room, label the contents clearly, and keep fragile items secure.
- Movers and personal supervision: Coordinate with packers on packing day and ensure that your items are listed in the inventory. If possible, be present during this process.
- “First Night” bag/bin: Carry a bag or bin with a full change of clothes, toiletries, bedding, snacks, tissues, and other basic tools for assembly at the new house. This way, if something goes wrong with the movers, you still have everything you need for your first few days at the new location.
Special Military Considerations
Whether this is your first PCS move or your tenth, there are special requirements that you, as a servicemember, need to be aware of.
- Overseas (OCONUS) PCS items: Passport/visa requirements, customs requirements, and vehicle transport planning.
- Lease break and SCRA protections: Understand your lease termination rights under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
- Pet and family travel support: Make sure you include documentation for anyone traveling with you to ensure a smooth trip for everyone.
After the Move — Final Checklist
As soon as you can:
- Submit any travel vouchers for allowances/reimbursements.
- Submit claims for any missing or broken household goods items.
- Reconcile your PCS expenses for taxes or reimbursement audits.
- Organize the PCS binder for new records and future moves.
PCS Moves Don’t Have to Be Stressful
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