File a Change of Address Form Online or by Mail

The fastest way to change your address with the U.S. Postal Service is through their website at usps.com. Go to the "Mail & Packages" section, select "Change of Address," and fill out the form with your old address, new address, and the date you want the change to take effect. You'll pay a fee (currently $1.10 for online submission) with a credit or debit card, and the change usually starts within three to five business days.

If you prefer not to use the website, you can file in person at any post office. Ask for Form 3575 (Application for a Domestic Change of Address), fill it out, and hand it to the clerk. You'll pay the same fee in cash or card. Processing takes about the same amount of time as online filing.

You can also mail the form to your local post office, but this is the slowest option — mail delivery plus processing can take two to three weeks. Only choose this route if you have no other way to file.

Key Takeaways

  • File your change of address online at usps.com or in person at a post office; both cost $1.10 and take three to five business days to process.
  • Your change of address lasts 12 months, after which mail to your old address will no longer be forwarded.
  • The post office forwards mail only — it does not notify banks, insurance companies, or government agencies, so you must contact them separately.
  • If you file for multiple people at the same address, each person needs their own change of address form and fee.
  • You can cancel or modify your change of address before it takes effect by contacting your local post office or filing a new form online.

What Happens After You File

Once your change of address is processed, the post office will forward mail addressed to your old address to your new one for 12 months. After that period ends, mail sent to your old address will be returned to the sender marked "Moved, Left No Address" or delivered to whoever lives there now.

Forwarding is not automatic for all mail. First-class mail, packages, and magazines are forwarded. However, some mail — including undeliverable-as-addressed pieces, some government mail, and mail marked "Do Not Forward" — will not be forwarded and will be returned to the sender instead.

The post office does not notify your bank, insurance company, employer, subscription services, or government agencies that you have moved. You must contact each of these organizations separately and provide your new address. Start with the most important ones: your bank, insurance, employer, and the IRS.

Why You Still Need to Notify Others Yourself

A change of address with the post office handles mail delivery only. It does not update your address in any other system. If your bank, credit card company, or insurance company still has your old address on file, they will continue to send statements, bills, and notices there. If someone else lives at your old address, they may open your mail by mistake or intentionally.

Government agencies like the IRS, Social Security Administration, and your state's motor vehicle department also do not receive notification from the post office. If you do not update your address with them, tax documents, Social Security statements, and license renewal notices will go to your old address. This can delay important documents and create confusion if you need to prove your current residence.

Subscription services, online retailers, and membership organizations will continue to use the address they have on file unless you log in and update it yourself. Some will send renewal notices or account information to your old address, which you may miss.

Changing Your Address for Multiple People

If you are moving with a spouse, partner, or family members, each person needs their own change of address form. You cannot file one form for the entire household. Each person must have their own name on the form, and each will incur the $1.10 fee.

If you are moving with children or dependents, file a separate form for each of them using their legal name as it appears on mail they receive. This ensures that mail addressed to them personally will be forwarded to the new address.

Canceling or Changing Your Address Before It Takes Effect

If you filed a change of address but have not yet moved, or if you filed it by mistake, you can cancel it before the effective date. The easiest way is to go to usps.com, log in with the email address you used when you filed, and cancel the request. You will not receive a refund of the $1.10 fee.

If you filed in person and want to cancel, visit your local post office and ask to cancel your change of address. Bring identification and be ready to provide your old and new addresses. Again, the fee is not refundable.

If you need to change your new address after you have already filed, you can file a new change of address form with the correct address. The post office will process the new form, and the old one will be canceled.

What to Do if Mail Stops Arriving at Your New Address

If you have filed a change of address but mail is not being forwarded, check that your form was processed correctly. Log into usps.com with your email address and look for a confirmation. If you filed in person, call or visit your local post office and ask them to verify that your change of address is active in their system.

Some mail may not be forwarded for reasons beyond the post office's control. If a sender has marked mail "Do Not Forward," or if the mail is from a government agency using an outdated system, it will not be forwarded. In these cases, contact the sender directly and provide your new address.

If your change of address has been active for more than a week and first-class mail is still not arriving, file a complaint with the post office. Visit your local branch or call the Postal Service's customer service line and describe which mail is not being forwarded.

Updating Your Address With Important Organizations

After you file with the post office, make a list of organizations that have your address on file and contact each one. Start with your bank and credit card companies — call the number on the back of your card or log into your online account and update your address in the settings. Most banks process address changes within one business day.

Contact your insurance company (auto, home, health, or life) and provide your new address. Insurance companies use your address to calculate rates and to send policy documents and renewal notices. Update this before your policy renews to avoid delays.

Notify your employer's human resources department, your state's motor vehicle department (to update your driver's license address), the IRS (by filing Form 8822 if you expect a refund), and the Social Security Administration (by visiting your local office or calling 1-800-772-1213). These organizations control important documents and benefits tied to your address.

Update your address with subscription services, online retailers, utility companies, and any memberships or organizations you belong to. Most allow you to update your address online by logging into your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for my change of address to start working?

If you file online or in person, the change usually takes effect within three to five business days. If you mail the form, allow two to three weeks for delivery and processing. The post office will send you a confirmation email if you filed online.

Can I change my address if I do not have a permanent new address yet?

Yes, but you will need to provide a specific address where mail should be forwarded. You cannot file a change of address to a general location like "in transit" or "temporary." If you are moving to a hotel or staying with someone temporarily, use that address and plan to file another change of address when you have a permanent one.

What if someone else at my old address files a change of address in their name?

Each person's change of address is separate. If someone else lives at your old address and files their own change of address, only their mail will be forwarded. Mail addressed to you will still go to the old address. This is why it is important to file your own change of address and to notify important organizations of your move.

Do I have to pay the fee if I am changing my address for the second time?

Yes, each change of address form costs $1.10, regardless of how many times you file. If you move twice in one year, you will pay the fee twice.

What happens to mail that arrives after my 12-month forwarding period ends?

After 12 months, the post office stops forwarding mail to your old address. Mail addressed to you at your old address will be returned to the sender marked "Moved, Left No Address" or delivered to the current resident. This is why updating your address with banks, insurance companies, and other organizations is important — they should be sending mail to your new address, not your old one.