You can change your delivery address through USPS Informed Delivery, by phone, or in person at your local post office

The United States Postal Service lets you redirect mail to a new address for a set period or permanently. The fastest route is USPS Informed Delivery, the free online tool where you can request a change in minutes. If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call USPS or walk into any post office branch. The process costs money only if you want the change to last longer than 12 months.

Your mail carrier does not automatically know you have moved. Without a formal address change, mail addressed to your old location will either be returned to the sender or sit in the postal system. A redirect order tells USPS to forward your mail to your new address for the length of time you specify.

Key Takeaways

  • USPS Informed Delivery is the fastest way to change your address online and takes effect within three to five business days.
  • You can also change your address by phone at 1-800-275-8777 or in person at your local post office with a valid ID and proof of your new address.
  • Mail forwarding costs $1.10 for a temporary change (up to 12 months) or $1.10 for a permanent change, paid once at the time you request it.
  • Your forwarding order covers mail addressed to you by name; packages and mail addressed to "Resident" or "Occupant" may not forward and could go to whoever lives there now.
  • If you need the change to take effect when ready, request it in person at the post office rather than online, since online changes take three to five business days.

How to change your address through Informed Delivery

Go to informeddelivery.usps.com and sign in with your USPS account. If you do not have one, you can create it on the same page using your email address. You will need to verify your identity by answering security questions or receiving a code by email or text.

Once you are logged in, look for the "Manage Delivery" section and select "Mail Forwarding." Choose whether you want to forward mail temporarily (up to 12 months) or permanently. Enter your new address, confirm the start date, and review the cost. USPS will charge $1.10 to your debit or credit card. The change takes effect three to five business days after you submit it.

Changing your address by phone or in person

Call USPS at 1-800-275-8777 to request an address change over the phone. A representative will ask for your current address, new address, the date you want the change to start, and how long you want it to last. They will take payment information and send you a confirmation number. This method also takes three to five business days to take effect.

If you need the change to start right away, go to your local post office in person. Bring a valid government ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and proof of your new address, such as a lease, utility bill, or mortgage statement. The post office staff will fill out the form with you, take payment, and your mail can begin forwarding the next business day. This is the only way to get same-day or next-day forwarding.

What mail will and will not forward

Mail addressed to you by name will forward to your new address. This includes personal letters, bills, bank statements, and packages addressed to your name. However, mail addressed to "Resident," "Occupant," "Current Resident," or any other generic title will not forward — it will go to whoever lives at your old address now.

Some senders, like government agencies and financial institutions, may not recognize a forwarding order if they have outdated address information in their system. If you have not notified them of your move, they may continue sending mail to your old address. After you submit a forwarding order, contact your bank, insurance company, employer, and any government agencies you deal with to update your address directly with them.

How long forwarding lasts and what happens after

You choose the length of your forwarding order when you submit it. The minimum is 15 days; the maximum is 12 months. After 12 months, your forwarding order expires and mail addressed to your old address will no longer reach you. If you need forwarding to continue past 12 months, you must submit a new order.

USPS will send you a reminder email or postcard about 30 days before your forwarding order expires, depending on which method you used to set it up. You can renew your order through Informed Delivery, by phone, or in person. Each renewal costs $1.10.

Costs and payment

A mail forwarding order costs $1.10, whether it is temporary or permanent. You pay this fee once when you submit the order. There is no monthly charge, no hidden fees, and no charge if you cancel the order before it takes effect.

USPS accepts debit cards, credit cards, and bank account transfers for payment. If you submit your order in person at the post office, you can also pay with cash or a check. If you cannot afford the fee, some community organizations and nonprofits offer information, but USPS itself does not waive the charge.

What to do if your forwarding order is not working

If mail is still arriving at your old address after your forwarding order should have taken effect, wait until the third business day after you submitted it. Forwarding orders take three to five business days to set up, so mail sent before that time may still go to your old address. If it has been longer than five business days and mail is still not forwarding, contact USPS at 1-800-275-8777 with your confirmation number.

If only some of your mail is forwarding, check whether the mail that is not forwarding is addressed to you by name or to a generic title like "Resident." Mail to generic titles does not forward. For bills and statements, contact the sender directly and ask them to update your address in their system. They may have sent the mail before your forwarding order took effect, or they may not recognize the forwarding order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for mail to start forwarding?

Mail forwarding takes three to five business days to take effect if you order it online or by phone. If you go to your local post office in person, forwarding can begin the next business day. The clock starts from the date you submit the order, not the date you want it to start.

Can I change my address if I do not have a permanent new address yet?

Yes. You can set up forwarding to a temporary address, such as a friend's house, a hotel, or a shelter. You will need to provide that address and choose how long you want forwarding to last. When you move again, you can submit a new forwarding order to your permanent address.

What happens to mail if I do not set up forwarding before I move?

Mail addressed to you will be returned to the sender marked "No Longer at This Address" after 15 days. You can still set up forwarding after you move, but any mail that was already returned cannot be recovered. The sooner you submit a forwarding order, the less mail you will lose.

Can someone else change my address for me?

No. USPS requires the person whose name is on the mail to request the change. If you are unable to do it yourself, you can authorize someone to do it on your behalf by signing a form and providing your ID, but you must be present or provide written consent. Contact your local post office for details on how to authorize someone.

Do I need to change my address with USPS if I already told my bank and employer?

Yes. Telling your bank and employer updates their records, but it does not tell USPS to forward your mail. Many senders still use old address information or send mail through systems that do not check for updates. A USPS forwarding order catches mail from all senders, including those you forgot to notify.