The fastest way to change your address online

The U.S. Postal Service lets you change your mailing address online through their official website at usps.com. You can do this through their Informed Delivery service or by going directly to the address change tool. The process takes about 10 minutes, costs $1.10, and starts forwarding mail within three to five business days. You will need a valid credit or debit card to pay the fee.

This is the main address change that affects mail delivery to your home. Other services — your bank, employer, insurance company, subscription services — require separate updates, which we cover below.

Key Takeaways

  • USPS address changes cost $1.10 and process within three to five business days when done online at usps.com.
  • You need your old address, new address, and a valid credit or debit card to complete the USPS change online.
  • Banks, insurance companies, employers, and other services require separate address updates — the USPS change does not notify them automatically.
  • Mail forwarding through USPS lasts for 12 months; you can renew it before expiration if you are staying at the new address longer.

Step-by-step: changing your address with USPS online

Go to usps.com and look for the "Change of Address" link, usually found under the "Mail & Shipping" section. Click it and select whether you are moving yourself, moving a business, or moving a family. You will be asked to enter your old address and your new address.

The system will ask for the date you want the forwarding to start. Choose the date you move or the date you want mail to begin forwarding — this cannot be more than 30 days in the future. You will then enter your name, phone number, and email address. At the end, you pay $1.10 with a credit or debit card. The confirmation email arrives within minutes, and forwarding begins on your start date.

Keep your confirmation number. If mail does not start forwarding on time, you can use it to check the status or contact USPS customer service.

What happens after you submit the change

USPS will forward mail addressed to your old address to your new one for 12 months. Mail that arrives after the 12 months ends will be returned to the sender or treated as undeliverable. If you know you will stay at the new address longer than a year, you can renew the forwarding before the 12 months are up by logging back into usps.com with your confirmation number.

Some mail may not forward — packages sent by private carriers like UPS or FedEx, mail from government agencies, and some first-class mail from businesses that have outdated address lists. For these, you will need to contact the sender directly and provide your new address.

Updating your address with banks and financial institutions

Your bank, credit card company, and investment accounts do not receive notification from USPS. You must contact each one separately. Most banks let you change your address online through their website or mobile app — log in, find the account settings or profile section, and look for "address" or "contact information." Some banks require you to call or visit a branch in person.

Update your address with your bank before you move if possible. If statements or cards arrive at your old address after you have moved, contact the institution right away. Delayed notification of address changes can affect your credit score if bills go unpaid because you did not receive them.

Updating your address with insurance, employers, and government agencies

Contact your auto insurance, home or renters insurance, and health insurance companies directly. Most have online portals where you can update your address; others require a phone call. Your employer's human resources department needs your new address for tax forms and payroll records — contact them within your first week at the new location.

If you receive Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or other government benefits, update your address with those agencies separately. You can change your Social Security address at ssa.gov, Medicare address through Medicare.gov, and Medicaid through your state's Medicaid office. Do not assume that changing your address with one agency updates it across all government programs.

Updating subscriptions, memberships, and online accounts

Go through your email inbox and look for statements, receipts, and confirmation emails from services you use regularly. These include streaming services, gym memberships, magazine subscriptions, online retailers, and utility companies. Log into each account, find the profile or account settings section, and update the address field.

For utility companies — electric, gas, water, internet — contact them directly by phone or through their website. They need your new address to set up service at your new location and to stop billing at your old one. Do this as soon as you know your move date so service is ready when you arrive.

What to do if you do not have internet access

If you cannot change your address online, you can do it in person at any post office. Bring a form of identification and your old and new addresses. You can also fill out USPS Form 3575 by hand and submit it at the post office. The fee is the same — $1.10 — and processing time is the same as online.

Some post offices accept address changes by phone, though this is less common. Call your local post office to ask whether they offer this option. Having your confirmation number from a phone change is important because you will not receive an email confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No — USPS requires a credit or debit card for online address changes. If you do not have a card, you can change your address in person at a post office and pay with cash. The fee remains $1.10.

How long does it take for mail to start forwarding?

USPS typically begins forwarding within three to five business days of your start date. If you choose a start date in the future, forwarding does not begin until that date arrives. Plan your address change at least a week before you move to avoid missing mail.

What if I move again before the 12 months of forwarding ends?

You can set up a new address change with USPS at any time. The new forwarding will take over, and mail will go to your newest address. The original 12-month period does not extend — it runs from your first move date.

Do I need to tell USPS about my new address if I am moving out of the country?

USPS forwarding only works within the United States. If you are moving internationally, contact USPS to cancel any active forwarding and arrange for mail to be held or returned. You will need to contact individual senders to update your address abroad.

Will changing my address with USPS update my voter registration?

No — voter registration is handled by your state or county election office, not by USPS. You must update your voter registration separately through your state's election website or by contacting your local election office.