The USPS charges $1.10 to change your address online through their official Change of Address form

The United States Postal Service (USPS) charges $1.10 to process a change of address request submitted through their website, USPS.com. This is the standard fee for a single address change that covers mail forwarding for one household. You pay this fee once at the time you submit the form, and it covers the forwarding service for up to 12 months.

If you go to a post office in person instead of using the website, the fee is the same: $1.10. Some post offices may accept cash, card, or check, though card payment is most common. The fee applies whether you are moving within your city, to another state, or relocating temporarily.

Key Takeaways

  • The USPS charges $1.10 to submit a change of address request online or in person at a post office.
  • The fee covers mail forwarding for up to 12 months from the date your change takes effect.
  • You can pay the $1.10 fee using a debit or credit card when you submit the form online.
  • If you need to change your address for multiple people at the same address, you pay $1.10 for each person.
  • The USPS does not offer a free change of address option through official channels.

How to pay the $1.10 fee online

When you go to USPS.com and select "Change of Address," the form walks you through entering your current address, new address, and the date you want the change to take effect. At the end of the form, you will see the $1.10 charge and a payment screen. The USPS accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards.

You will need to enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV. The charge appears on your statement as "USPS" or "United States Postal Service." After payment goes through, you receive a confirmation number and an email receipt. The change typically takes effect within three to five business days.

Changing address for multiple people at the same address

If you are moving with a spouse, adult children, or roommates who each need their own mail forwarded, you must submit a separate change of address form for each person. Each form costs $1.10, so a household of three people would pay $3.30 total. You can submit all the forms on the same day, and they can all have the same effective date.

Some people mistakenly think one form covers everyone at an address, but the USPS system is set up by individual name and Social Security number. The postal carrier needs to know which mail belongs to which person in order to forward it correctly.

What the $1.10 fee covers

The fee covers the cost of processing your change of address request and maintaining your forwarding instructions in the USPS system for up to 12 months. During that time, mail addressed to your old address will be forwarded to your new one. The USPS does not charge an additional fee if you need to extend the forwarding after 12 months — you straightforward submit a new change of address form and pay another $1.10.

The fee does not cover mail that arrives before your change takes effect or mail sent to addresses you no longer use after the 12-month period ends. It also does not cover packages or mail that requires a signature, which may have different forwarding rules.

Changing your address at the post office in person

You can walk into any USPS post office and ask to fill out a change of address form in person. A postal worker will hand you the form (called PS Form 3575), and you fill it out with your old address, new address, and effective date. You then pay $1.10 at the counter using cash, check, or card.

The in-person process takes about 10 minutes. Some people prefer this method because they can ask questions on the spot, and they receive a receipt when ready. However, the fee is identical to the online method, so there is no cost advantage to going in person.

Temporary address changes and mail holds

If you are moving temporarily — for example, staying with family for a few months or traveling for work — you can still use the standard change of address form and pay $1.10. You straightforward enter the temporary address as your new address and set an end date for the forwarding. After that date, mail will stop being forwarded and will go back to your original address.

Alternatively, you can place a mail hold instead of a change of address. A mail hold is free and tells the post office to hold your mail at your local post office for up to 30 days while you are away. You can pick it up when you return, or the post office will resume delivery. This option works better for short absences than a full address change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my address for free?

No. The USPS charges $1.10 for any change of address request submitted through official USPS channels, whether online or in person. There is no free option through the postal service itself. Some third-party websites claim to offer free address changes, but they typically redirect you to the USPS website where you still pay the $1.10 fee.

What happens if I don't pay the $1.10 fee?

Your change of address request will not be processed. The USPS requires payment before the form is submitted to their system. If you attempt to submit the form online without paying, the system will not allow you to complete it. At a post office, the postal worker will not file your form until you pay.

How long does mail forwarding last after I pay?

Mail forwarding lasts for up to 12 months from the date your change takes effect. After 12 months, the USPS stops forwarding mail to your new address. If you need forwarding to continue, you must submit a new change of address form and pay another $1.10 fee.

Do I need to pay $1.10 for each family member?

Yes. Each person who needs mail forwarded must have their own change of address form and pay $1.10. Children under 18 can be included on a parent's form at no additional cost, but adults and older teens each need their own form and payment.

Can I get a refund if I change my mind?

The USPS does not refund the $1.10 fee once the change of address has been processed. However, you can cancel the forwarding by submitting a cancellation request through USPS.com or at a post office. Cancellation is free, but the original $1.10 is not returned.