You can change your address in person, by mail, or online through USPS

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) offers three ways to change your mailing address: online at usps.com, in person at any post office, or by mail using Form 3575. The online method is fastest — it takes about 10 minutes and costs $1.10. In-person changes at a post office window take a few minutes and cost the same. Mail-in changes using the form take longer but work if you cannot visit a post office or use the internet.

Your address change goes into effect within three to five business days for online submissions, and usually the same day for in-person changes. USPS will forward mail sent to your old address to your new one for 12 months at no extra cost. You do not need to notify USPS separately about mail forwarding — the address change includes it automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Online address changes at usps.com cost $1.10 and take effect within three to five business days.
  • In-person changes at a post office window also cost $1.10 and usually take effect the same day.
  • Mail-in changes using Form 3575 are free but take longer and require you to mail the form to your local post office.
  • USPS automatically forwards mail to your new address for 12 months once your change is processed.
  • You will need your old address, new address, and a valid ID (for in-person changes) or credit/debit card (for online changes).

Changing your address online at USPS.com

Go to usps.com and click "Change of Address" in the top menu. You will be taken to the USPS Informed Delivery page. Sign in with your USPS account, or create one if you do not have one yet. Creating an account takes a few minutes and requires your email address and a password.

Once you are logged in, enter your old address, new address, and the date you want the change to take effect. You can choose to forward mail for 12 months (the standard option) or 18 months. Pay the $1.10 fee using a credit or debit card. USPS will send you a confirmation email within a few minutes. Your address change will be active within three to five business days.

If you do not want to create an online account, you can still submit a change of address without logging in, but you will not be able to track the status or make changes later. The process is the same, but you will need to provide your email address so USPS can send you a confirmation.

Changing your address in person at a post office

Visit any post office and ask for Form 3575 at the counter. Fill out the form with your old address, new address, and the date the change should take effect. Bring a valid ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The postal worker will process the form on the spot, charge you $1.10, and give you a receipt.

Your address change usually takes effect the same day you submit it in person. However, if you submit the form late in the day, it may not process until the next business day. Ask the postal worker when your change will be active if you need it to happen by a specific date.

If you are changing the address for a business or organization rather than yourself, bring documentation showing you are authorized to make the change — a business license, corporate resolution, or letter from the owner or manager.

Changing your address by mail using Form 3575

Request Form 3575 from your local post office, or download it from usps.com. Fill out the form completely with your old address, new address, and the date you want the change to take effect. Do not sign the form yet — you must sign it in front of a postal worker or notary public.

Mail the signed form to your local post office. The address will be on the form itself. Do not mail it to a national USPS address — it must go to your local branch. Include a check or money order for $1.10 made out to "USPS" if you want to pay by mail. Some post offices accept payment when you drop off the form instead.

Mail-in changes take two to three weeks to process because the form has to travel through the postal system and then be entered into USPS records. This method is slower than online or in-person changes, but it is free if you do not want to pay the $1.10 fee upfront — you can pay at the post office when you drop it off.

What happens after you submit your address change

Once your address change is processed, USPS will forward any mail addressed to your old address to your new one for 12 months. Mail that arrives after the 12-month period will be returned to the sender marked "No Forwarding Address on File." If you need forwarding to continue beyond 12 months, you can submit a new address change before the first one expires.

Some mail will not be forwarded automatically. Government benefits, tax documents, and court notices sometimes require you to notify the agency directly. Banks, insurance companies, employers, and subscription services also need to be told about your move separately — USPS forwarding does not reach them. Make a list of places that send you regular mail and update your address with each one.

If mail arrives at your old address after you have moved, the new resident or landlord can write "Return to Sender — Person Does Not Live Here" on it and put it back in the mail. USPS will attempt to deliver it to your new address if your forwarding order is still active.

Changing your address for a business or PO box

If you have a business address on file with USPS, the process is the same as for a residential address — use the online form, visit a post office, or mail Form 3575. You will need to show proof that you are authorized to make the change, such as a business license or a letter from the owner.

If you rent a PO box and are moving it to a different post office, you will need to close the old box and open a new one. Visit the post office where your current box is located and ask to close it. Then go to the new post office and rent a box there. There is no automatic forwarding for PO boxes — you must set up a new box at the new location.

What to do if your address change does not work

If mail is still arriving at your old address after your change should have taken effect, contact USPS at 1-800-275-8777 or visit your local post office. Bring your confirmation email or receipt showing when you submitted the change. A postal worker can check whether the change was entered correctly and resubmit it if there was an error.

If you submitted your change online and the effective date has passed but mail is still going to the old address, the change may not have been processed yet. Wait a few more days and check again. If it has been more than five business days since you submitted it online, call USPS or visit your post office to verify the status.

If you moved to a new address but realize you need to change it again before the first change takes effect, you can submit a new change of address form. USPS will use the most recent one you submitted. If you submitted it online, you can log back into your account and update it before the effective date.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

For in-person changes, you need a valid ID. If you do not have one, you can change your address online using a credit or debit card instead, or mail Form 3575 to your post office. A postal worker can sign the form as a witness if you do not have an ID, but you will still need to visit the post office in person.

What if I move before my address change takes effect?

If you move to a third address before your first change is processed, submit a new address change with your current address and the new one. USPS will use the most recent change you submitted. If you submitted it online, log in and update it. If you submitted it in person or by mail, submit a new form with the correct address.

Does USPS forwarding work for packages?

Yes, packages sent to your old address will be forwarded to your new one for 12 months, just like regular mail. However, some shipping carriers and online retailers may not use USPS for delivery, so forwarding may not work for all packages. Contact the sender or retailer if a package does not arrive at your new address.

Can I change my address temporarily?

USPS does not offer temporary address changes. You can submit a change for 12 or 18 months, but you cannot set an end date. If you need mail to go to a temporary address, contact the senders directly and ask them to update your address. When you move back, submit a new address change.

How much does it cost to change my address?

Online and in-person changes cost $1.10 each. Mail-in changes using Form 3575 are free if you pay at the post office when you submit the form, or you can include a check or money order for $1.10 if you mail it. There is no charge for the 12-month mail forwarding that comes with the address change.