The fastest way is the USPS mail forwarding form, which takes five minutes online

The United States Postal Service (USPS) runs the official mail forwarding system. You fill out Form 3575 either online at usps.com or in person at your local post office, pay a fee (currently $1.10 for digital submission or $1.10 in-person), and mail sent to your old address gets forwarded to your new one for up to 12 months. This is the single most important step because it catches mail from people and companies you may have forgotten to notify yourself.

The online process takes about five minutes. You need your old address, new address, the date you want forwarding to start, and a valid credit or debit card. USPS will send you a confirmation email, and forwarding typically begins within three to five business days. If you go to the post office instead, you can pay cash, and the process is immediate — your mail starts forwarding right away.

Key Takeaways

  • USPS mail forwarding through Form 3575 is the foundation of any address change and catches mail from companies you haven't notified yet.
  • Online forwarding costs $1.10 and takes three to five business days to activate; in-person submission at the post office is immediate.
  • You must notify your bank, insurance company, employer, and any subscription services separately — USPS forwarding does not reach them.
  • Mail forwarding lasts 12 months, so set a reminder to renew it if you plan to stay at your new address longer.
  • Government agencies like the IRS, Social Security, and your state's DMV require separate address changes through their own systems.

Notify your bank and financial institutions first

Your bank, credit card companies, and investment firms need your new address before anything else. These are the accounts where money moves, and a missed statement or fraud alert could cost you real money. Call the customer service number on the back of your card or log into your online account and update the address yourself — most banks let you do this in seconds through their website or app.

If you have a mortgage or home equity line of credit, contact your loan servicer directly. The address on your loan documents matters for legal notices, so do not rely on your bank's main customer service line to pass this along. Look for the servicer's contact information on your monthly statement.

Update your driver's license and vehicle registration

Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles driver's license and vehicle registration address changes. Most states let you do this online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Check your state's DMV website for the exact process — some states charge a small fee, others do not. You typically need your license number, new address, and sometimes proof of residency like a utility bill or lease.

Vehicle registration is separate from your driver's license in most states, even though the DMV handles both. If you own a car, update the registration address at the same time. Some states combine the two into one transaction; others require separate submissions. Your registration renewal notice will go to the address on file, so getting this wrong means you might miss a deadline.

Notify the IRS and Social Security Administration

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) each have their own address-change systems. For the IRS, you can call 800-829-1040 or file Form 8822 by mail. For Social Security, call 800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office in person. Do not assume that changing your address with one federal agency updates it with the others — they do not share this information automatically.

This matters because tax refunds, Social Security statements, and benefit notices all go to the address on file. If you miss a notice from either agency, you may not know about a problem until it becomes serious. Keep records of when you called and what confirmation number you received.

Update insurance policies and healthcare providers

Contact your homeowners or renters insurance company, auto insurance company, and health insurance provider. For insurance, call the customer service number on your policy or log into your online account. For health insurance, you may need to update your address through your employer's benefits portal, your state's health insurance marketplace, or directly with your insurance company depending on how you get coverage.

Healthcare providers — your doctor's office, dentist, pharmacy, and hospital — need your new address so they can send bills and appointment reminders. Many medical offices let you update this when you check in for your next visit, but calling ahead is faster. If you take prescription medications, update your address with your pharmacy right away so refills go to the right place.

Change address with your employer and subscription services

Tell your employer's human resources or payroll department about your move. They need your new address for W-2 forms, tax withholding, and any benefits paperwork. If you get a paycheck by direct deposit, your address does not affect that, but your tax documents will still go to the old address if you do not update it.

Go through your subscriptions and memberships one by one: streaming services, gym memberships, magazine subscriptions, online shopping accounts, and any clubs or organizations you belong to. Most let you update your address in account settings online. This is tedious but necessary — a forgotten subscription might charge your old address or send a renewal notice that never reaches you.

Set a reminder to renew mail forwarding before it expires

USPS mail forwarding lasts 12 months from the date it starts. After that, mail sent to your old address stops being forwarded and goes to the person who lives there now or gets returned to the sender. If you plan to stay at your new address longer than a year, set a calendar reminder for month 11 to renew your forwarding order online or at the post office.

Renewing is the same process as the original submission — fill out Form 3575 again, pay the fee, and choose your new end date. Some people set forwarding for the full 12 months every year for the first few years after a move, just to catch any stragglers they missed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does USPS mail forwarding work for packages?

Yes, USPS forwards packages the same way it forwards letters. However, some shipping carriers like UPS and FedEx do not use USPS forwarding, so packages from those carriers will go to your old address unless the sender has your new address. Contact UPS and FedEx separately if you expect packages from them.

What happens to mail that arrives after forwarding expires?

After 12 months, mail sent to your old address stops being forwarded. It either goes to the current resident at that address or gets returned to the sender marked "No Forwarding Address." This is why renewing before expiration matters for accounts you may have forgotten about.

Can I change my address online for everything?

Most banks, insurance companies, and subscription services let you update online. Government agencies like the DMV, IRS, and Social Security require phone calls, in-person visits, or mailed forms. Check each organization's website to see what methods they accept.

Do I need to notify my landlord or mortgage company about the address change?

If you are renting, your lease has your address on it, but you do not need to formally notify your landlord of a move — you are leaving. If you have a mortgage, your loan servicer needs to know your new address for legal notices and statements, so contact them directly.

How long does it take for address changes to take effect everywhere?

USPS forwarding takes three to five business days to start. Banks and insurance companies usually update within one to three business days. Government agencies like the DMV and IRS can take two to four weeks. Do not assume an address change is complete until you receive confirmation from each organization.