Yes, you can change your address online through USPS, but only if you use their official Change of Address tool

The U.S. Postal Service lets you file a change of address request online at usps.com without visiting a post office. You fill out a form with your old address, new address, and the date you want the change to take effect. USPS charges a small fee — currently $1.10 for online filing — and the change usually takes effect within three to five business days.

The online method works best if you have a credit or debit card, know your old address exactly as it appears on mail you receive, and can provide a phone number and email. If any of those details are missing or you prefer not to use a card, you can file in person at any post office instead, which costs the same amount.

One important limit: the online tool only works for residential moves within the United States. If you are moving to a U.S. territory, a military address, or outside the country, you must file in person or by mail.

Key Takeaways

  • File your change of address at usps.com using USPS's official Change of Address tool, which charges $1.10 and takes three to five business days to process.
  • You will need your old address as it appears on your mail, your new address, a credit or debit card, a phone number, and an email address to complete the online form.
  • The online method does not work for moves to U.S. territories, military addresses, or international locations — you must file in person or by mail for those moves.
  • Mail forwarding begins on the date you specify in your request, so plan ahead if you need it to start on a specific day.

What information you need before you start

Gather these details before you open the USPS website. Have your old address written down exactly as it appears on a piece of mail you have received — apartment number, directional prefixes, and spelling all matter. You also need your new address, including the apartment or unit number if you have one.

You will be asked for a phone number and email address. USPS uses these to send you a confirmation and to contact you if there is a problem with your request. The email address does not have to be the same one you use for anything else, but you should have access to it because USPS will send a verification link there.

Have a credit or debit card ready. USPS accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The $1.10 fee is non-refundable once the change of address is filed, even if you change your mind before the effective date.

The step-by-step process on the USPS website

Go to usps.com and look for "Change of Address" in the main menu or search box. Click on the link that says "File a Change of Address Online." You will land on a page that asks whether you are moving for yourself, a business, or a family member. Select the option that matches your situation.

Fill in your old address in the first field. USPS will ask you to confirm it matches a current mailing address in their system — if it does not, you may see an error message. If that happens, try entering it slightly differently (for example, without the apartment number, or with a different abbreviation for the street type). If USPS still cannot find it, you will need to file in person instead.

Enter your new address next. USPS will verify this address against the postal database. If the address does not match exactly, you may be asked to choose from a list of similar addresses or to correct the spelling. Once USPS accepts the address, you will choose the date you want the forwarding to start.

Review your information, enter your phone number and email, and proceed to payment. After you pay the $1.10 fee, USPS will send a verification email to the address you provided. Open that email and click the link inside it to confirm your request. Without this confirmation, the change of address will not be filed.

How long it takes and when mail starts forwarding

After you confirm your email, USPS processes the request within three to five business days. This means mail addressed to your old address will begin forwarding to your new address on the date you selected, as long as that date is at least three business days away. If you request a start date that is sooner than three business days, USPS will delay it to the earliest possible date.

Forwarding lasts for 12 months. After that, mail sent to your old address will be returned to the sender marked "Moved, Left No Address." If you need forwarding to continue beyond 12 months, you will need to file a new change of address request before the first one expires.

Not all mail forwards automatically. First-class mail, priority mail, and standard mail all forward. However, magazines, newspapers, and some marketing mail may not forward — senders have to pay extra for that service, and many do not. Contact any subscriptions or accounts you have directly and update your address with them to make sure you do not miss anything.

When you cannot use the online tool

If you are moving to a military address (APO, FPO, or DPO), you must file in person at a post office. The same applies if you are moving to a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, or if you are moving outside the United States entirely. USPS's online tool does not handle these moves.

If USPS cannot verify your old address in their system, the online form will not let you proceed. This can happen if you have lived at the address for only a short time, if the address was recently added to the postal database, or if you enter it incorrectly. Try different variations of the address — abbreviations, directional words, and spelling — before giving up. If nothing works, visit your local post office.

If you do not have a credit or debit card, you can file in person at any post office and pay with cash, check, or card. You can also mail a paper change of address form to your local post office, though this takes longer.

What happens after your change of address is filed

Once your forwarding is active, mail carriers will redirect any mail that arrives at your old address to your new one. This includes letters, packages, and magazines. The forwarding happens automatically — you do not need to do anything else.

Some mail may still arrive at your old address even after forwarding is active. This happens when senders use an outdated mailing list or when mail is sent before your forwarding start date. For this reason, it is a good idea to update your address directly with banks, insurance companies, employers, government agencies, and any other organizations that send you important mail.

If you move again within the 12-month forwarding period, you can file a new change of address. The new request will replace the old one, and mail will forward to your newest address instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my address online if I do not have a credit card?

No, the online tool requires a credit or debit card. You can file in person at any post office and pay with cash, check, or card. Filing in person takes about 10 minutes and costs the same $1.10 fee.

What if I enter my address wrong and realize it after I pay?

Contact USPS when ready at 1-800-275-8777 or through the USPS website. If you catch the error before the forwarding starts, USPS may be able to cancel the request and issue a refund. Once forwarding is active, you will need to file a new change of address with the correct information.

Does my mail forward if I move before the three to five business days are up?

No. Forwarding does not begin until the date you selected in your request, and that date must be at least three business days in the future. If you move sooner, mail sent to your old address will not forward. Plan your change of address filing accordingly.

Will my packages from online shopping forward to my new address?

Yes, packages sent through USPS will forward along with regular mail. However, packages from other carriers like UPS or FedEx will not — you will need to update your address with those companies separately. Some online retailers also allow you to update your address in your account settings.

Can I file a change of address for someone else online?

You can file for a family member if you select "Family" on the USPS form and provide their name and date of birth. For a business or someone else's household, you will need their permission and may need to file in person with proof of authorization.