What Documents Are Mandatory for Interstate Moves? Estimates, Bills of Lading, and Orders for Service Explained

We offer transparent binding estimates with no hidden fees, combining full-service packing, wrapping, loading, transport, and unloading without the hassle or cost of DIY moves. 

A few things every estimate should include, regardless of type-

• The mover’s legal/DBA name and USDOT number
• Whether it is binding, non-binding, or binding not-to-exceed
• All accessorial charges, including stairs, long carries, shuttle service, packing
• The valuation (liability) coverage options offered
• Payment types accepted at delivery

In-person or virtual survey is required. As of the 2022 rule update, your mover must offer a physical survey of your belongings (in person or via live video) before issuing an estimate for any interstate move; the old exemption for moves under 50 miles was eliminated. A “guesstimate” over the phone, with no survey at all, is not compliant.

If a mover pressures you to skip the survey or will not put a number in writing, that is your cue to walk away.

Document 2: The Order for Service (Changes in 2022)

For years, the Order for Service (OFS) was a separate, mandatory document. It confirmed-

• Pickup and delivery dates
• The valuation/liability level you selected
• Any special services requested
• Authorization for the mover to transport your shipment

On April 26, 2022, FMCSA issued a Final Rule (effective June 27, 2022) that formally eliminated the Order for Service as a standalone requirement. Every piece of information it used to capture is now folded directly into the bill of lading, which must be issued earlier in the process, no later than three days before your scheduled load date, in most cases.

What this means for you, practically-

• You may still hear a mover use the term "order for service" out of habit, as the industry has not fully retired the phrase.
• But there is no longer a separate legal document by that name you need to track down.
• What matters now is everything the OFS used to cover, like your dates, your valuation choice, your requested services, appears clearly on your bill of lading.
• If a mover hands you a document literally labeled "Order for Service" as a separate contract from the bill of lading, ask why the combined format is what current federal rule requires.

This regulatory change is easy to miss because it is genuinely recent, and a lot of moving-industry content simply has not been updated. It is a small detail, but it is the kind of detail that tells you whether the company guiding you through your move is actually current on the rules governing it.

Document 3: The Bill of Lading

If you keep only one document from your entire move, keep this one.

The bill of lading (BOL) is your contract, your receipt, and your primary legal reference if anything goes wrong. FMCSA states it plainly: it is the contract between you and your mover.

When you get it: A partially completed bill of lading is typically presented before your goods are loaded. Full weight and some destination charges cannot be finalized until your shipment is in transit. A completed version follows at delivery.

What it legally must include (condensed from the 17 federally required elements)-

1. Your mover’s legal/DBA name, physical address, and USDOT number
2. Names and USDOT numbers of any other carriers involved, if known
3. Your name, address, and phone number
4. Accepted payment methods at delivery (must match your estimate)
5. Pickup and delivery dates or windows
6. The valuation/liability option you chose
7. All service charges, including packing, stairs, storage-in-transit, shuttle, etc.
8. The total amount due, or the formula for calculating it
9. Any identification/registration number for the shipment
10. A statement incorporating your estimate and inventory by reference
11. Signatures from both you and the mover, at both origin and destination

Every attachment, including your estimate, your inventory, and any signed waivers, is legally considered part of the bill of lading contract, not a separate loose document.

Before you sign-

• Confirm the numbers match your estimate exactly.
• Confirm your valuation coverage selection is correct.
• Confirm dates and payment terms are what you agreed to.
• Never sign a blank or substantially incomplete BOL. Partial completion for weight/final charges is normal, but missing terms are not.

Hold onto your copy until your shipment is delivered, every charge is paid, and any claims are fully resolved.

Other Mandatory Paperwork

The estimate and bill of lading get the most attention, but two more documents are legally required for every interstate household goods move-

• FMCSA’s “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet: Your mover must provide this before you sign anything binding, often at the time of the initial estimate. It explains your protections in plain language: the 110% rule, dispute settlement options, valuation coverage, and your right to see the mover’s tariff on request.
• Detailed inventory list: Prepared at pickup, itemizing every piece loaded onto the truck and noting existing conditions. This becomes your reference point for any loss or damage claim, so review it carefully before signing and keep your copy.
• Tariff, on request: Movers are required to make their published rate tariff available to you if you ask for it. Not every customer asks, but you are entitled to see it.

We get you full-service at self-service prices, saving up to 50% off normal traditional moving rates. All shipments are handled by licensed and insured movers, with a focus on mandatory paperwork. Moreover, valuation coverage options are available for you, giving you added peace of mind.