When you can change your delivery address on Amazon
You can change your delivery address on Amazon, but only if you catch it before the order ships. Once a carrier picks up the package, Amazon cannot redirect it to a new address—you will have to refuse the delivery or wait for it to arrive and return it. The window to make changes is usually a few hours after you place the order, though it depends on how quickly the item is processed at the warehouse.
If your order has already moved to "Preparing to ship" or "Shipped" status, the address is locked. At that point, your only options are to contact the carrier directly (if you know which one), refuse delivery, or let it arrive and send it back. The sooner you notice the mistake, the better your chances of catching it in time.
Key Takeaways
- You can change the delivery address only while the order is still in "Processing" status—once it moves to "Preparing to ship" or later, the address is locked.
- To change the address, go to Your Orders, find the item, and select "Change delivery address" if that option appears.
- If the option does not appear, the order has already left the warehouse and you will need to refuse delivery or arrange a return.
- If you realize the mistake after the package ships, contact Amazon customer service when ready—they may be able to work with the carrier in rare cases.
- For future orders, double-check the address at checkout before you click "Place your order".
How to change the address while the order is still processing
Open the Amazon app or website and go to Your Orders (on the website, this is under your account menu; on the app, tap the menu icon and select "Your Orders"). Find the order you need to change and tap or click on it to open the order details.
Look for a button or link that says "Change delivery address" or "Edit delivery address". If you see it, tap or click it. A window will open showing your current address and a list of addresses you have used before on your account. Select the correct address from the list, or enter a new one. Confirm the change, and Amazon will update the delivery location before the order ships.
If you do not see the "Change delivery address" option, the order has already moved past the processing stage and is being prepared for shipment. At that point, you cannot change it through the app or website. This usually means only a few hours have passed since you placed the order, so the warehouse has already begun picking and packing your item.
What to do if the order has already shipped
If the order status shows "Preparing to ship" or "Shipped," the address is locked and you cannot change it through your account. Your options at this point are limited. You can contact Amazon customer service through the app or website (go to Your Orders, select the item, and choose "Contact us"), and explain the situation. In rare cases, if the package has not yet left the delivery facility, Amazon or the carrier may be able to redirect it, but this is not may provide.
If customer service cannot help, you have two paths forward. You can refuse delivery when the package arrives—the driver will ask if you want to accept it, and you can say no. The package will be returned to Amazon and refunded to your original payment method. Alternatively, you can accept the delivery at the wrong address, then file a return through Your Orders and send it back to Amazon once it arrives.
How to find out which carrier is delivering your package
Once your order ships, the order details page will show the carrier name—usually Amazon, UPS, FedEx, or USPS. If you want to try contacting the carrier directly to redirect the package, you will need the tracking number, which also appears on the order details page. However, most carriers will only redirect a package if you contact them before it reaches the local delivery facility, which is often the same day it ships.
Calling the carrier directly is worth trying if you realize the mistake very quickly, but Amazon customer service is usually your faster option because they have a direct relationship with the carrier and can sometimes request a redirect through their own system. Have your order number and tracking number ready when you call.
Preventing address mistakes on future orders
The easiest solution is to catch the mistake before you place the order. At checkout, Amazon shows the delivery address clearly before you click "Place your order." Take a few seconds to read it—especially the street number, apartment or suite number, and ZIP code, which are the most commonly mistyped fields.
If you have multiple addresses saved to your account (home, work, a family member's house), make sure the correct one is selected before you proceed. You can also set a default address in your account settings under "Addresses" so that the right one is pre-filled at checkout. If you move or change your address frequently, update your default address in your account settings rather than entering it manually each time.
Changing the address for items ordered through Subscribe & Save
If you ordered through Amazon's Subscribe & Save program, the rules are slightly different. You can change the delivery address for a recurring delivery up to three days before the next shipment date. Go to Your Orders, find the Subscribe & Save item, and select "Manage subscription." From there, you can edit the delivery address for future deliveries. This gives you more time than a one-time order, but you still need to act before the cutoff date.
If you miss the three-day window, you will have to wait until after that shipment arrives and then update the address for the following delivery. This is one advantage of Subscribe & Save—you get multiple chances to correct the address across different shipments, unlike a one-time order where you have only a few hours.
What happens if the package arrives at the wrong address
If the package is delivered to the wrong address and you did not refuse it, contact Amazon customer service right away. Explain that the package was delivered to an incorrect address. Amazon may be able to contact the carrier to confirm the delivery location, and in some cases, they can work with the carrier to retrieve the package. If the package was delivered to a neighbor or nearby address, you can also try asking around or checking with the building management if you live in an apartment.
If the package cannot be recovered, Amazon will usually issue a refund or send a replacement to the correct address. Keep the order number and tracking number handy when you contact them, as this speeds up the process. Document the mistake by taking screenshots of your order confirmation and the delivery confirmation showing the wrong address—this helps Amazon investigate faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to change my delivery address after I order?
You typically have a few hours after placing the order, but it depends on how quickly the warehouse processes it. Once the order moves to "Preparing to ship" status, you cannot change it. Check your order status when ready if you realize the mistake—the sooner you act, the better.
Can Amazon redirect my package to a different address after it ships?
Not through the app or website. However, if you contact Amazon customer service when ready after noticing the mistake, they may be able to request a redirect through the carrier if the package has not yet left the local facility. This is not may provide, but it is worth asking.
What if I refuse delivery—will I get my money back?
Yes. If you refuse delivery, the package is returned to Amazon and your payment is refunded to your original payment method. The refund usually appears within a few business days, depending on your bank or payment provider.
Can I change the address for a gift I ordered for someone else?
Yes, as long as the order is still in "Processing" status. Follow the same steps: go to Your Orders, select the item, and choose "Change delivery address." You can change it to any address saved on your account or enter a new one.
Does Amazon Prime affect how quickly I can change my address?
No. Prime membership does not change the window for address changes. You still have only a few hours after placing the order before it moves to "Preparing to ship" and the address locks. Prime does speed up processing and shipping, which means the window may be even shorter than for non-Prime orders.