The fastest way to forward mail is through USPS, which takes about five business days to start

The United States Postal Service (USPS) runs the official mail forwarding system. You can set up forwarding online at usps.com, by mail, or in person at your local post office. Online forwarding costs $1.10 for a single piece of mail or $1.10 per address if you're forwarding to multiple locations — you'll need a credit or debit card. The process takes about five business days after USPS processes your request, so mail sent to your old address will begin arriving at your new one roughly a week after you submit the form.

When you forward through USPS, the postal service will redirect mail for up to 12 months. After that period ends, mail addressed to your old address will return to sender. If you know you'll need forwarding longer than a year, you can renew it before the 12 months are up.

Key Takeaways

  • USPS mail forwarding costs $1.10 and takes five business days to activate, and works for up to 12 months.
  • You'll need your old address, new address, and a valid ID to set up forwarding online or at the post office.
  • Forwarding does not cover packages sent through private carriers like UPS or FedEx — you must contact those companies separately.
  • Notifying banks, insurance companies, and government agencies directly is faster and more reliable than waiting for mail forwarding to catch up.
  • If you're moving temporarily or to multiple addresses, USPS allows you to forward to a single new address or hold mail at your post office instead.

What you need to have ready before you start

Gather your old address, your new address, and a valid form of ID. USPS accepts a driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID, or tribal ID. If you're setting up forwarding online, you'll also need a credit or debit card to pay the $1.10 fee.

If you're forwarding mail for someone else — such as a family member or business — you'll need their permission and may need to provide additional documentation. USPS requires the person whose mail you're forwarding to sign the request form if you're doing it in person or by mail. Online, you'll need to verify your relationship to that person.

How to set up forwarding online

Go to usps.com and look for the mail forwarding option under "Moving." You'll enter your old address, new address, and the date you want forwarding to start. USPS will ask whether you're moving permanently or temporarily. If you're moving temporarily, you can set an end date for forwarding — after that date, mail will stop being redirected.

After you enter your information, USPS will ask you to verify your identity. This usually means answering questions based on your credit history or other public records. Once you pass verification, you'll pay the $1.10 fee with a credit or debit card. USPS will send you a confirmation email, and forwarding will begin within five business days.

Forwarding in person at your post office

Walk into your local post office with your old address, new address, and valid ID. Ask for a mail forwarding form — it's called PS Form 3575. Fill it out with the postal clerk, and they'll process it on the spot. You'll pay $1.10 in cash or card. The clerk will give you a receipt, and forwarding will start within five business days.

Going in person is useful if you want to ask questions about your specific situation or if you're forwarding mail for multiple people in your household. The postal clerk can also tell you whether there are any holds or issues with your old address that might affect forwarding.

Forwarding by mail if you can't go in person

Download PS Form 3575 from usps.com or pick one up at your post office. Fill it out completely — include your old address, new address, and the date you want forwarding to start. Sign and date the form. Mail it to the post office that serves your old address, along with a check or money order for $1.10 made out to the USPS.

This method is slower than online or in-person forwarding because the form has to travel through the mail itself. Plan for the form to take one to two weeks to reach the post office, plus another five business days for USPS to process it. If you're moving soon, online or in-person forwarding is a better choice.

What forwarding does and does not cover

USPS forwarding covers mail sent through the postal service to your old address. This includes letters, bills, magazines, and packages sent by USPS. However, packages sent through UPS, FedEx, or other private carriers will not be forwarded — those companies have their own systems. You'll need to contact UPS and FedEx separately and update your address with them.

Forwarding also does not cover mail that has already been delivered to your old address. If mail arrives after you've moved but before forwarding starts, the person living at your old address will receive it. This is why notifying important contacts — banks, insurance companies, employers, and government agencies — directly is important. They can update your address in their system right away instead of relying on mail forwarding.

Notifying banks, insurance, and government agencies directly

Don't rely only on mail forwarding for critical accounts. Contact your bank, credit card companies, insurance providers, and any government agencies that send you mail. Call them or log into your online account and update your address yourself. This ensures they have your new address immediately and reduces the risk of missing important documents or payments.

For government mail, contact the Social Security Administration, the IRS, your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, and your voter registration office. These agencies process address changes differently, and some require you to submit a form in person or by mail. Doing this before you move prevents delays in receiving tax documents, voter information, or benefit notices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I forward mail to multiple addresses?

USPS allows you to forward mail to one address only. If you need mail to go to different places, you can set up one forward and then contact individual senders to update your address with them. Some people forward to a family member's house temporarily, then update their address once they've settled into their permanent home.

What happens if I move again before my forwarding expires?

You can set up a new forward from your current address to your next address. USPS will process the new forward separately. Mail sent to your original old address will go to your first new address, then be forwarded again to your second new address — this can add delays, so updating senders directly is faster.

Can I hold my mail at the post office instead of forwarding it?

Yes. If you're not sure where you're moving or want to pick up mail yourself, ask your post office about a mail hold. They'll hold your mail for up to 30 days while you figure out your new address. After 30 days, you'll need to either set up forwarding or pick up the mail in person.

Does forwarding work for packages and certified mail?

USPS forwarding covers most packages sent through the postal service, including certified mail. However, some packages marked "Do Not Forward" will be returned to sender instead. Packages from UPS, FedEx, and other carriers won't be forwarded at all — contact those companies directly to update your address.

What if I set up forwarding but it's not working?

Go to your local post office with your confirmation receipt and ask them to check the status of your forward. Sometimes addresses are entered incorrectly or there's a hold on your old address that prevents forwarding from starting. The postal clerk can fix the issue on the spot or investigate why mail isn't being redirected.