You can change your address at any post office, but online is faster and cheaper

Yes, you can walk into any U.S. Post Office location and request an address change in person. The postal clerk will hand you a form called PS Form 3575 (process for a Delivery Change), which you fill out on the spot. However, the U.S. Postal Service also lets you change your address online through their official website, and that route takes about five minutes instead of a trip to the post office. The online method costs $1.10 and is permanent when ready; the in-person method is free but takes three to five business days to process.

Both methods work equally well for mail forwarding. The post office does not care which route you use — your mail will forward to your new address either way. The choice comes down to whether you want it done right now (online) or whether you prefer to do it free and do not mind waiting (in person).

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your address in person at any post office by filling out Form PS 3575, and it costs nothing but takes three to five business days.
  • The online method through USPS.com costs $1.10 and is active within minutes, so you do not have to leave home.
  • Mail forwarding works the same way regardless of which method you choose — the post office will redirect your mail to your new address.
  • You need your old address, new address, and the date you want the change to start, whether you go in person or online.
  • Address changes last for 12 months; after that, mail to your old address stops forwarding and returns to the sender.

Changing your address in person at the post office

Walk into any post office during business hours and ask for an address change form. The clerk will give you PS Form 3575. You will fill in your old address, new address, and the date you want the change to take effect. Bring a photo ID — the post office needs to verify your identity before processing the form. You do not need to bring anything else.

The form takes about five minutes to complete. Once you hand it back to the clerk, they will stamp it and tell you it will take three to five business days to process. Your mail will not start forwarding when ready; there is a processing delay while the post office updates its system. If you need your mail forwarded right away, the online method is better.

The in-person method is free. There is no fee, no charge, nothing to pay. This makes it the cheapest option if you are willing to wait a few days.

Changing your address online through USPS.com

Go to USPS.com and look for the "Change of Address" link on the homepage. Click it and you will be taken to the online form. Enter your old address, new address, and the date you want the change to start. You will also need to enter your email address and create a temporary password to verify your identity.

The online form asks you to confirm your identity by answering questions based on your credit history — things like "Which bank issued your Visa card ending in 1234?" These questions come from a third-party verification service and take about two minutes to answer. Once you pass verification, you pay $1.10 by credit or debit card.

Your address change becomes active within minutes. You do not have to wait three to five days. This is the fastest way to start mail forwarding, and it is worth the dollar if you need your mail redirected quickly.

What information you need before you start

Have your old address written down exactly as it appears on your mail. If you lived at "123 Main Street, Apt. 4B," write it that way — do not shorten it to "123 Main St." The post office system is picky about matching addresses, and a mismatch can delay processing.

Have your new address ready in the same format. Include the apartment number, unit number, or suite number if you have one. If you do not know your ZIP code yet, you can look it up on USPS.com before you start the form.

Decide what date you want the change to start. This is usually the day you move, but it can be any date in the future. The post office will not start forwarding mail until that date arrives. If you submit the form on January 15 but say the change starts February 1, your mail will not forward until February 1.

How long mail forwarding lasts

Your address change is active for 12 months from the date it starts. After 12 months, the post office stops forwarding your mail. Any mail sent to your old address will be returned to the sender marked "No Forwarding Address on File."

If you need forwarding to continue past 12 months, you have to submit a new address change form before the first one expires. The post office will send you a reminder postcard about 30 days before your forwarding ends, so watch for that in your mail. You can renew online or in person the same way you did the first time.

What happens to mail during the processing delay

If you change your address in person, there is a gap between when you submit the form and when it takes effect. During those three to five business days, mail sent to your old address will still go there, not to your new address. This is why some people change their address a few days before they move — it gives the post office time to process the form.

Mail that arrives at your old address after the forwarding starts will be redirected to your new address. Mail that arrived before the forwarding started will not be forwarded; it will sit at your old address or be returned to the sender. This is why you should notify banks, employers, and other important senders of your new address separately — do not rely only on postal forwarding.

Changing your address if you do not have a permanent home

If you are moving between temporary locations or do not have a fixed address yet, you can still change your address at the post office. Use the address where you will be staying, even if it is temporary. When you move again, you can submit another address change form.

Some people use a mail forwarding service or a private mailbox (like UPS Store or a local mailbox rental place) as their address while they figure out where they are moving. The post office treats these the same as any other address — you can forward mail there just like anywhere else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my address at the post office where I live now?

No. You can walk into any post office in the country and change your address. It does not have to be your local branch. The post office system is nationwide, so changing your address at a post office in another city works the same way.

What if I move and forget to change my address?

You can change your address at any time, even months after you move. There is no important date. However, mail sent to your old address during the time you did not have forwarding set up will not reach you — it will either sit at your old address or be returned to the sender. Change your address as soon as you know your new one.

Can someone else change my address for me?

No. The post office requires the person whose address is changing to be present and show a photo ID. You cannot authorize someone else to do it on your behalf. If you cannot go to the post office, use the online method instead.

What if my new address is outside the United States?

The post office can forward mail to Canada and Mexico, but the process is different and takes longer. You have to fill out a different form and go in person — you cannot do it online. Ask the post office clerk for the international forwarding form.

Will changing my address affect my mail from the government or my bank?

Postal forwarding will redirect mail from the government and your bank to your new address, but only if they sent it to your old address after the forwarding started. Contact the government agency or your bank directly and give them your new address so they update their records. Do not rely only on postal forwarding for important mail.