You can change your address at any post office, but online is faster and costs nothing

You do not have to visit the post office to change your mailing address. The United States Postal Service (USPS) lets you file a change of address online at usps.com, which takes about ten minutes and costs $1.10. If you prefer to do it in person, you can walk into any post office location — not just the one nearest your home — and fill out Form 3575, which is free. Both methods work equally well. The online route is quicker because your change takes effect within one business day, while in-person submissions can take three to five business days to process.

The choice between online and in-person comes down to speed versus cost. If you want your mail forwarded when ready and do not mind paying $1.10, use the website. If you have time to wait a few days and want to save money, visit any post office and ask for the paper form. Either way, you are not locked into using a specific location — the USPS system is the same everywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • The USPS website (usps.com) is the fastest way to change your address and costs $1.10 for a permanent change.
  • Any post office location will accept a paper Form 3575 for free, even if it is not your local branch.
  • Online changes take effect within one business day; in-person changes take three to five business days.
  • You will need your current address, new address, and the date you want the change to start.
  • Temporary address changes (mail forwarding for 30 days to one year) cost $1.10 online or are free in person.

How to change your address online

Go to usps.com and click "Change of Address" in the top menu. You will be asked whether you want a temporary or permanent change. For a permanent move, select that option and enter your current address, new address, and the date you want mail to start going to the new location. You will need to provide a phone number and email address. At the end, USPS will ask you to pay $1.10 by credit card, debit card, or bank account.

Once you complete the transaction, your change is submitted when ready. USPS processes it within one business day, meaning mail carriers will have your new address by the next delivery cycle in most cases. You will receive a confirmation email with a receipt number. Keep that number in case you need to check the status or contact USPS later.

How to change your address in person at a post office

Walk into any post office during business hours and ask for Form 3575 (the official Change of Address form). Fill it out with your current address, new address, and the date you want the change to take effect. You will also write your signature and current phone number. Hand the completed form to the clerk, and there is no charge.

The clerk will give you a receipt. Your change will be processed within three to five business days. This method is slower than online, but it is free and requires no payment method. Some people prefer it because they can ask the clerk questions while filling out the form, or because they do not want to pay the $1.10 online fee.

Temporary address changes versus permanent ones

A temporary change (also called mail forwarding) redirects your mail for a set period — anywhere from 30 days to one year. This is useful if you are moving for a job, traveling, or staying somewhere else for a few months but plan to return. A permanent change is for when you are moving and will not be coming back to your old address.

Both cost $1.10 online. In person, both are free. The main difference is the end date: with a temporary change, you choose how long the forwarding lasts, and after that date, mail stops being forwarded. With a permanent change, there is no expiration — mail goes to your new address until you file another change of address.

What happens to mail sent to your old address

Once your change of address is active, mail carriers will forward pieces addressed to your old address to your new one for the length of your change (temporary or permanent). This forwarding is included in the service — you do not pay extra for each piece of mail. However, not all mail gets forwarded. First-class mail (regular letters and bills) will be forwarded. Marketing mail and packages sometimes will not be, depending on how they are marked.

This is why it is important to notify banks, employers, insurance companies, and subscription services directly of your new address. Do not rely only on USPS forwarding for critical mail. Forwarding can fail if the sender's address is outdated or if the mail is marked "do not forward." Updating your address with each sender ensures nothing gets lost.

Timing and when your change takes effect

Online changes take effect within one business day. In-person changes take three to five business days. The "effective date" you choose is when you want mail carriers to start using your new address — you can set this for today or any date up to 30 days in the future. If you are moving next week, you can file your change now and set the effective date for your moving day.

Keep in mind that mail already in the system with your old address may still arrive at your old location for a few days after your change takes effect. This is normal. The forwarding process catches most of it, but some pieces may slip through, especially if they were processed before your change went live.

What you need to bring or have ready

For an online change, you need your current address, new address, phone number, email address, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account). You do not need to bring anything — you can do it from home.

For an in-person change at a post office, bring a photo ID and proof of your new address. Proof of new address can be a lease, mortgage statement, utility bill, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days and showing your new address. If you do not have proof yet (for example, if you are moving to a new place and have not received a bill there), ask the clerk what alternatives they accept — some post offices will take a signed letter from a landlord or a moving company confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my address at any post office, or only my local one?

You can change your address at any post office in the country. There is no requirement to use the one in your neighborhood. If you are traveling or happen to be near a different location, you can walk in and file your change there. The form is the same everywhere.

What if I made a mistake on my change of address?

If you filed online, log back into usps.com with the same email address and receipt number to see if you can edit it before it is processed (within one business day). If it has already been processed, you will need to file a new change of address with the correct information. If you filed in person, contact your local post office as soon as possible with your receipt number and ask them to correct it before it is entered into the system.

Do I have to pay the $1.10 fee if I change my address in person?

No. In-person changes at any post office are completely free. You only pay $1.10 if you change your address online. If cost is a concern, visiting a post office is the way to go, though it takes longer to process.

Will my packages be forwarded to my new address?

Most packages will be forwarded, but it is not may provide. Packages marked "do not forward" or sent through certain carriers may not follow your change of address. For important packages, notify the sender of your new address directly rather than relying on USPS forwarding alone.

How long does mail forwarding last?

That depends on what you chose. Temporary forwarding lasts 30 days to one year — you pick the length when you file. Permanent changes have no expiration and stay in effect until you file another change. After a temporary forwarding period ends, mail sent to your old address will no longer be forwarded.