There is no cost to use the service unless we are able to successfully locate a new address for the name you supply. However to use the tool you must register and pre-purchase a credit package. When we do find a new address, then and only then, your account is debited by one credit. Depending on the number of credits you purchase at one time, the cost is as little as $1 per address.

Our packages are available in a number of convenient denominations starting at just $15. You can buy them using Visa or MasterCard, and for packages priced at $250 or higher, you can also provide a company Purchase Order (subject to credit approval). For a complete list of the packages available Click Here.

The database is obtained under a non-exclusive licence from Canada Post Corporation and is updated around the 17th day of each month. The update contains information about all new movers who registered a Change of Address at their local Post Office during the previous calendar month. The data currently extends back exactly three years with the oldest movers dropping off each time we process an update.

Our system automatically tracks individuals across multiple moves, providing their most current address regardless of which of their previous addresses you provide. Each time we obtain forwarding information, the record is resubmitted to the lookup engine to see if a subsequent move has occurred. Although some consumers do indicate that their information should be linked to previous move information, this provides an unreliable method of ensuring that you only get the most recent address. Our system, while requiring more processing time, is much more reliable and results in higher redirection rates.

Not everyone who moves notifies the Post Office; some people forget or are unaware the service even exists, others don't think it's important and then, of course, there are those who don't want anyone to know where they have gone. Names older than three years are automatically dropped from our files so if the move took place before this we won't be able to help even if we used to have the information.

Because rural addresses are often much more vague than those used in urban areas, our ability to provide forwarding information is very limited. This is due to restrictions in our licensing agreements with Canada Post Corporation that ensure that before we provide any new address, that we are absolutely certain that we have correctly matched the person you are looking for with our database.

Before we can provide a forwarding address we must match the name you provide against the NCOA database with an extremely high degree of certainty. This requires algorithmic matches on last name and, in the case of an Individual Move, a match on first name or initials. Our software has a large table of name equivilants so that we can match Bob to Rob, Robbie, Robby or Richard. We must also match on Postal Code, the Street Number and, for apartment dwellers, the Suite Number too.

The information provided to the Post Office when someone moves is given with the understanding that it will be used only for the purposes of redirecting mail to their new address. Under our licensing arrangement with Canada Post Corporation, each user of the service must complete a declaration stating that they understand this and agree to use the information only for the intended purpose.

Yes, you can. Most of the mail sent to stale addresses never makes its way back to you, so the only way to truly clean your lists is to have them updated once or twice each year. While this site is intended for interactive, one at a time, lookups we can easily update a list of thousands or millions of names at rates as low as $2 per thousand records. Just send your file(s) on disk, tape or via email to data@westminster.ca and be sure to include instructions detailing what you want done and how we can contact you. We will provide a quote and return your data, normally within 48 to 72 hours.

Westminster is a leading Direct Marketing service provider. We process millions of names every day and routinely provide a wide range of services of value to marketers. These include Address Correction, Duplicate Elimination, Merge/Purge, Laser Personalisation, Personalised email broadcasts, Lettershop and Fulfillment Services. Call us at +1(416) 494-6245 or send an email to mailman@westminster.ca and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.