What You Need to Do to Change Your Address

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) lets you change your mailing address online, by mail, or in person at your local post office. The online method is fastest — you fill out a form on USPS.com, pay a fee (currently $1.10 for online changes), and mail forwarding starts within three to five business days. If you go in person or by mail, the process takes longer and costs more, but you can do it without a credit or debit card.

You do not need to visit a post office to change your address unless you want to. Most people use the online form because it is the quickest route and you get immediate confirmation. However, if you do not have internet access or prefer to handle it face-to-face, any post office branch can process your change on the spot.

Key Takeaways

  • Online address changes through USPS.com cost $1.10 and take effect within three to five business days.
  • You will need your current address, new address, and a credit or debit card to change your address online.
  • In-person changes at a post office require a photo ID and cost $1.10; mail-in changes require Form 3575 and cost $1.10.
  • Mail forwarding lasts for 12 months; after that, mail to your old address will be returned to the sender.
  • If you are moving outside the United States, USPS forwarding does not work — you must arrange international mail delivery separately.

Changing Your Address Online

Go to USPS.com and click "Change of Address" in the top menu. You will be taken to a form that asks for your current address, your new address, and the date you want forwarding to start. The form also asks whether this is a temporary move (forwarding for a set number of months) or permanent. If temporary, you choose how long you want mail forwarded — typically 3, 6, or 12 months.

After you fill in the form, USPS asks you to verify your identity by answering questions based on your credit history. This takes a few minutes. Once verified, you pay $1.10 with a credit or debit card. You will receive a confirmation number immediately. Mail forwarding begins within three to five business days, though some mail may arrive at your old address during that window because postal carriers and mail sorting facilities need time to update their records.

Keep your confirmation number. If something goes wrong or you need to cancel, you will need it to contact USPS. You can also log back into your USPS account to check the status of your change of address request.

Changing Your Address In Person at the Post Office

Walk into any USPS post office branch and ask for a change of address form. The employee will give you Form 3575-PS (the official change of address form) or may offer to process it on their computer right there. Bring a photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You will need to provide your current address, new address, and the date you want forwarding to start.

The cost is $1.10, which you pay in cash or by card at the counter. Processing takes the same three to five business days as online changes. The post office will give you a receipt with a confirmation number. This method is useful if you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone in person, but it takes longer overall because you have to travel to the post office.

Changing Your Address by Mail

Download Form 3575 from USPS.com or pick one up at your post office. Fill it out completely — your current address, new address, the date forwarding should start, and whether it is temporary or permanent. Sign and date the form. Include a check or money order for $1.10 made out to "USPS" (the Postal Service does not accept cash by mail).

Mail the completed form to your local post office. You can find the address on USPS.com by entering your ZIP code. Mail-in changes take longer than online or in-person changes because the form has to travel through the mail system, be processed, and entered into the system. Plan for two to three weeks from the time you mail the form until forwarding actually begins. This method is the slowest but works if you have no other option.

What Happens After You Change Your Address

Once your change of address takes effect, mail addressed to your old address will be forwarded to your new one for 12 months. After 12 months, mail to your old address is returned to the sender marked "Moved, Left No Address." If you need forwarding to continue past 12 months, you must submit a new change of address request before the first one expires.

Not all mail gets forwarded. First-class mail (regular letters and bills) is forwarded. Packages and parcels are forwarded. However, some mail classes — like certain bulk mail and magazines — may not be forwarded depending on how the sender set up the mailing. If you are expecting important mail and want to be certain it reaches you, contact the sender directly and give them your new address.

USPS also offers a service called "Informed Delivery" that shows you images of mail coming to your address. You can sign up for free on USPS.com. This helps you track whether mail is being forwarded correctly and catch any pieces that might not have been updated by the sender.

Changing Your Address for Temporary Moves

If you are moving temporarily — for example, for a job that lasts six months or a seasonal situation — you can set up temporary forwarding instead of permanent. When you fill out the change of address form (online, in person, or by mail), select the temporary option and choose how long you want mail forwarded: 3, 6, or 12 months.

After the forwarding period ends, mail to your old address will be returned to the sender. You do not have to do anything to stop it. If you decide to extend the forwarding period before it expires, you can submit a new change of address request. The cost is the same ($1.10) whether you choose temporary or permanent forwarding.

Special Situations and Limits

If you are moving to a country outside the United States, USPS mail forwarding does not work. The Postal Service only forwards mail within the U.S. You will need to contact your new country's postal service to set up mail delivery there. Some countries offer mail forwarding services; others require you to provide your new address directly to senders.

If you have a business address or a large volume of mail, you may want to contact your local post office directly to discuss options. Some businesses use a mail management service or a mailbox rental company instead of relying on USPS forwarding alone.

If you change your address and then change it again within the 12-month forwarding period, each change costs $1.10. USPS will forward mail from your first old address to your second old address, and then to your new address, but this takes longer. It is better to wait until you know your final address before submitting a change of address request if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for mail forwarding to start?

Mail forwarding begins within three to five business days of when your change of address takes effect. However, some mail may arrive at your old address during this window because postal carriers and mail sorting facilities need time to update their records. If you are expecting urgent mail, contact the sender and provide your new address directly.

Can I change my address if I do not have a photo ID?

Online changes require identity verification through credit history questions, not a photo ID. In-person changes at the post office do require a photo ID. If you do not have one, you can change your address by mail using Form 3575, which does not require ID verification.

What if I made a mistake on my change of address form?

If you submitted your change online and made a mistake, log into your USPS account and cancel the request if it has not taken effect yet. Then submit a new form with the correct information. If the change has already taken effect, submit a new change of address request with the correct address. Each change costs $1.10.

Do I need to notify my bank and other companies when I change my address?

USPS forwarding will get most mail to you, but it is a good idea to notify your bank, insurance company, employer, and other important contacts directly. Some mail — like tax documents and legal notices — may not be forwarded if the sender used a special mail class. Updating your address with them directly ensures you do not miss anything.

Can I change my address for someone else?

No. The person whose name is on the mail must submit the change of address request themselves. This is a security measure to prevent mail theft. If someone is unable to submit the request in person, they can authorize you to do it online using their information, but they must provide their consent and the necessary details.