Yes, you can change your address at the post office in person or online

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) lets you change your mailing address through their official website, by mail, or by visiting a post office branch in person. The online method is fastest — it takes about 10 minutes and costs $1.10. In-person changes at the post office take longer because you have to wait in line, but you walk out with confirmation the same day. Mail-in forms exist but are rarely the best choice because they take weeks to process.

You do not need an appointment. Walk into any USPS location during business hours with a valid ID and proof of your new address, and a clerk will help you. If you go online, you need the same documents ready to upload or have them on hand when USPS contacts you to verify.

Key Takeaways

  • The USPS online change-of-address tool at usps.com costs $1.10 and takes effect within three to five business days.
  • In-person changes at any post office branch are free and take effect when ready, but require a valid ID and proof of your new address.
  • Proof of your new address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government document showing your name and new location.
  • USPS will forward mail from your old address to your new one for 12 months, but you should notify banks, employers, and subscriptions separately for faster delivery.

Changing your address online through USPS

Go to usps.com and click "Change of Address" in the top menu. You will see three options: online, by mail, or in person. Select the online option. The form asks for your current address, new address, the date you want the change to take effect, and your email address. You will also choose whether this is a permanent move or a temporary one (temporary forwarding lasts 30 days; permanent lasts 12 months).

After you fill in the form, USPS asks you to upload a photo of a valid ID and a document that proves your new address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or government-issued ID with your new address. The photo must be clear enough to read. Once you upload both, you pay $1.10 by credit or debit card. USPS will review your documents within one business day and send you a confirmation email. Your forwarding starts three to five business days after approval.

Changing your address in person at a post office

Bring a valid ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and a document proving your new address to any USPS location. The proof-of-address document must show your name and new street address. A utility bill dated within the last 60 days works best, but a lease, mortgage statement, or recent bank statement will also work. Some post offices accept a signed letter from a landlord or property manager if you do not have a utility bill yet.

Tell the clerk you want to file a change of address. They will hand you a PS Form 3575 (the official change-of-address form) or fill it out on their computer while you watch. You choose whether the change is permanent (12 months) or temporary (30 days). The clerk processes it on the spot, and your forwarding begins when ready. You do not pay anything. Ask for a receipt or confirmation number so you have proof the change went through.

What documents count as proof of your new address

USPS accepts documents that show your name and your new street address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) dated within the last 60 days is the easiest option. Lease agreements, mortgage statements, property tax bills, and homeowner's insurance documents all work. Some post offices will accept a bank or credit card statement if it shows your new address, though this varies by location.

If you have just moved and do not have a utility bill or lease in your name yet, bring a signed letter from your landlord or property manager on their letterhead. It should state your name, the new address, and the move-in date. A few post offices will also accept a government document like a voter registration card or vehicle registration if it shows your new address, but call ahead to confirm your local branch accepts this.

How long forwarding takes and what it covers

Mail forwarding through USPS lasts for 12 months if you choose permanent forwarding, or 30 days if you choose temporary. During this time, mail addressed to your old address will be forwarded to your new one. The forwarding is not when ready — mail can take an extra week to reach you because it goes to your old address first, then gets re-routed. For this reason, you should notify important senders (banks, employers, insurance companies, subscriptions) of your new address directly rather than relying on USPS forwarding alone.

USPS forwarding covers first-class mail, magazines, and some packages. It does not cover mail marked "Do Not Forward" (like some government documents), mail sent to a business address, or mail sent to a PO Box. After 12 months, forwarding stops and mail sent to your old address will be returned to the sender or discarded.

Common mistakes to avoid when changing your address

The most common mistake is not notifying senders directly. USPS forwarding is a safety net, not a complete solution. Your bank, employer, insurance company, and subscription services should all have your new address in their records. If you rely only on USPS forwarding, important mail can get lost or delayed, and some senders will not forward mail at all.

Another mistake is uploading blurry or incomplete photos when you change your address online. Make sure your ID and proof-of-address document are well-lit, in focus, and show all four corners of the document. If USPS cannot read the information, they will reject your request and you will have to resubmit.

Do not assume your change takes effect when ready if you use the online method. It takes three to five business days for USPS to review and approve your request. If you need forwarding to start right away, go to a post office in person instead.

What to do if you need to change your address again

You can file a new change of address at any time. If you filed one online and then move again before it takes effect, you can cancel the first request and file a new one. Go back to usps.com, click "Change of Address," and look for the option to manage an existing request. If your first change has already taken effect, just file a new one for your next move.

If you filed in person and need to change your address again, straightforward return to a post office with your ID and new proof of address. There is no waiting period between changes. You can also switch from online to in-person or vice versa — USPS will honor whichever change you filed most recently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay to change my address at the post office?

In-person changes are free. The online change-of-address tool costs $1.10. Mail-in forms are also free but take much longer to process, usually two to three weeks.

What if I do not have a utility bill to prove my new address?

A lease, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank statement showing your name and new address will work. If you have none of these, ask your landlord or property manager to write a signed letter on their letterhead stating your name, new address, and move-in date. Some post offices accept this in place of a utility bill.

Can I change my address if I do not have a valid ID?

USPS requires a valid ID for in-person changes. Acceptable IDs include a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. If you do not have one, you cannot change your address in person. You may be able to use the online method instead, though USPS will still need to verify your identity through the documents you upload.

Will USPS forward mail sent to my old address forever?

No. Forwarding lasts 12 months for permanent changes and 30 days for temporary ones. After that period ends, mail sent to your old address will be returned to the sender or discarded. This is why you should notify important senders of your new address directly.

Can I change my address for someone else, like a family member?

No. USPS requires the person whose address is changing to be present in person or to file the request themselves online. You cannot file a change of address for another adult. If someone is unable to visit a post office, they can file online at usps.com if they have a valid ID and proof of their new address.