How to Change Your Mailing Address With USPS

Understanding USPS Address Change Services

The United States Postal Service (USPS) provides a service called "Change of Address" that allows you to redirect your mail from one address to another. This service is used by people who move to new homes, relocate for work, or need mail forwarded temporarily during a transition period. When you submit a change of address request, USPS updates its records so that mail addressed to your old location gets sent to your new one instead.

The Change of Address service works for several situations. If you're moving permanently to a new house or apartment, you can file a change with USPS to ensure mail follows you. If you're moving temporarily—such as for a work assignment, military deployment, or school—you can set the forwarding to last for a specific time period. Business owners can also file changes when relocating their companies. The service typically forwards mail for up to 12 months, though you can renew it if needed.

It's important to understand that a Change of Address request does not automatically update all your accounts and subscriptions. While USPS will forward most mail, some organizations—like banks, insurance companies, subscription services, and government agencies—may not honor forwarding orders. These entities require direct notification of address changes to their own systems. Additionally, some types of mail cannot be forwarded, including certain government documents and some packages sent via specific shipping methods.

USPS processes Change of Address requests within three to five business days after submission. However, mail carriers may take a few additional days to begin forwarding your incoming mail once the change takes effect. During peak moving seasons (spring and summer), processing may take slightly longer. It's wise to file your change of address at least two weeks before your moving date to ensure smooth transition of your mail delivery.

Practical Takeaway: A USPS Change of Address forwards most mail to your new location, but it doesn't update individual companies' records. Plan to notify important organizations separately, and submit your change request well before your move date.

Methods for Filing a Change of Address

USPS offers multiple ways to file a Change of Address request, allowing you to choose the method that works best for your situation. Each method has specific requirements and takes you through a similar process, though they differ in how you submit information and verify your identity.

The online method through USPS.com is the most popular option. You can visit the USPS website, navigate to the Change of Address section, and complete the form directly. The online process requires you to provide your current address, new address, and the date you want the change to take effect. You'll also need to create or log into a USPS account, or provide identifying information to verify your identity. USPS may ask security questions to confirm you are the person who owns the address or is authorized to make the change. After completing the form, you pay a small processing fee (typically around $1.10 for online submission) using a credit or debit card. Once processed, you receive a confirmation number via email.

Visiting your local Post Office in person is another option. You can walk into any USPS location and ask for a Change of Address form. A postal employee will hand you a PS Form 3575, which is the official paper form. You fill out this form by hand with your current address, new address, and desired effective date. When submitting in person, you'll show a photo ID to verify your identity. This method also requires payment of the processing fee, and you pay in cash, check, or card. The advantage of visiting in person is that a postal employee can answer questions and help ensure you complete the form correctly.

Mail carriers can also provide Change of Address forms. If you see your regular mail carrier before your moving day, you can ask them for a PS Form 3575. They can give you a blank form to complete and submit. However, this method is less common and may take longer to process than online or in-person submission at the Post Office.

Some people use third-party moving services or websites that claim to file a Change of Address on your behalf. These services typically charge a higher fee than filing directly with USPS. They may be useful if you want convenience, but the official USPS methods are less expensive and straightforward.

Practical Takeaway: The online method through USPS.com is the fastest and most convenient option for most people, while visiting your Post Office in person provides the benefit of immediate help if you have questions.

What Information You'll Need to Provide

To complete a Change of Address request with USPS, you'll need to gather specific information before you begin the process. Having these details ready makes the submission faster and reduces errors.

First, you need your current mailing address—the address where you currently receive mail. This should be the address exactly as it appears on your mail. Include the street number and name, apartment or unit number if applicable, city, state, and ZIP code. If you're currently living in a temporary location and moving again, use the address you're at now, not a previous one.

Next, you need your new mailing address. This is where you want mail to be sent starting on your effective date. Again, include all components: street address, apartment or unit number, city, state, and ZIP code. The address must be a valid delivery address where USPS can actually deliver mail. If you're moving to a rural area, ensure you have the correct address format that USPS recognizes. If you don't know your full ZIP code, you can look it up on USPS.com or ask your new landlord or property manager.

You'll need to specify an effective date—the date when you want the forwarding to begin. USPS allows you to start a change of address up to 30 days before your actual moving date. This advance notice feature is helpful if you want the forwarding in place before you physically relocate. You cannot set a change of address for a date in the past.

You also need to decide on the duration of forwarding. For permanent moves, you'll typically select "I'm moving" as the reason, and forwarding lasts for 12 months. For temporary moves, you select "I'm moving temporarily," and you specify how long you want forwarding to continue—ranging from a few months to up to 12 months.

When filing online or in person, you'll need to verify your identity. This typically involves providing a phone number and answer security questions that USPS generates from public records. The questions might ask about your previous addresses, mortgage or rental history, or family member names. You must answer these questions correctly to confirm your identity and prevent fraudulent address changes.

Practical Takeaway: Gather your current address, new address with ZIP code, intended start date, and prepare to answer security questions for identity verification before starting your Change of Address request.

Step-by-Step Process for Online Submission

Filing a Change of Address online through USPS.com involves a straightforward process that most people can complete in 10 to 15 minutes. Here's how it works from start to finish.

Begin by visiting USPS.com and looking for the Change of Address option. You can find it under the "Mail & Packages" or "Manage Your Mail" section. Click on "Change of Address" to start. The system will ask whether you're managing your account for yourself, another person (such as a family member), or a business. Select the appropriate option.

Next, you'll enter your current mailing address exactly as it appears on your mail. Type in the street address, apartment number if applicable, city, state, and ZIP code. Double-check this information because errors here can prevent mail from being forwarded correctly. If you're unsure about your current ZIP code, USPS has a lookup tool on the website.

Then you'll enter your new address where you want mail forwarded. Again, type this carefully. If you're moving to an apartment, include the unit number. If you haven't received mail at your new address yet and aren't certain of the exact format USPS uses, you can verify it using USPS's address verification tool.

You'll specify your effective date—when the forwarding should begin. Remember, you can choose a date up to 30 days in the future. Select whether this is a permanent move or temporary, and if temporary, how long the forwarding should last.

At this point, USPS will ask you to verify your identity. The system generates security questions based on public records. You'll be asked questions like