The fastest way to change your address with USPS

You can change your address with USPS online at usps.com, by mail, or in person at your local post office. The online method is fastest — it takes about five minutes and costs $1.10. You will need a credit or debit card, and USPS will send you a confirmation email within one business day. The address change takes effect within three to five business days after you complete it.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to handle it in person, you can fill out Form 3575 at your post office and pay the same fee in cash or card. Mail-in requests take longer — typically seven to ten business days from the day USPS receives your form.

Key Takeaways

  • Online address changes at usps.com cost $1.10 and take effect in three to five business days.
  • You will need your current address, new address, and a valid credit or debit card to change your address online.
  • USPS forwards mail to your new address for twelve months at no extra cost once your change is processed.
  • If you are moving for a business, you can set up a separate business address change on the same website.
  • Temporary address changes are available if you are away for less than twelve months.

What you need before you start

Have your current address and new address ready before you begin. USPS will ask you to confirm both, so make sure you type them exactly as they should appear on mail. If your new address is not yet in the USPS system — for example, if you are moving to a new building — you may need to wait a few days for it to be added, or you can contact your local post office to verify it first.

You will also need a valid credit or debit card if you are paying online. USPS does not accept PayPal, digital wallets, or checks. If you are changing your address at the post office in person, you can pay with cash, card, or check.

Changing your address online step by step

Go to usps.com and click "Change of Address" in the top menu. You will be taken to the USPS Informed Delivery portal. If you do not already have an account, you will need to create one with your email address and a password. This takes about two minutes.

Once you are logged in, select "Manage My Address" and then "File a Change of Address." Choose whether this is for yourself, someone else in your household, or a business. Enter your current address, the date you want the change to take effect, and your new address. Review the information carefully — USPS charges the $1.10 fee whether or not the address is correct, and fixing a mistake later requires a second fee.

Enter your credit or debit card information and submit. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and another confirmation email within one business day. Keep both for your records. Your mail will start forwarding on the date you specified.

Changing your address in person at the post office

Walk into your local post office with a photo ID and your new address. Ask for Form 3575, which is the official change of address form. Fill it out completely — include your current address, new address, the date the change should take effect, and your signature. The form takes about three minutes to complete.

Hand the form to the postal clerk along with $1.10 in cash or card payment. The clerk will give you a receipt with a confirmation number. Your address change will be processed within seven to ten business days. You do not need to create an online account to change your address this way.

How mail forwarding works after you change your address

Once your address change is processed, USPS will forward mail addressed to your old address to your new one for twelve months at no extra cost. This includes regular mail, magazines, and packages. Forwarding is not automatic for all mail — some types, like government benefits checks or tax documents, may not forward depending on the sender.

After twelve months, forwarding stops. If you need to extend it, you can file another address change before the twelve months are up. Some people file a new change of address a few months before the first one expires to avoid a gap.

Temporary address changes and business address changes

If you are moving away for less than twelve months — for example, for a job assignment or seasonal work — you can file a temporary change of address. On the USPS website, select "Temporary Change of Address" instead of the regular option. You will specify an end date, and mail will automatically resume going to your original address on that date. Temporary changes cost the same $1.10 fee.

If you own a business or manage one, you can file a separate change of address for business mail only. This is useful if your business is moving but your home address is staying the same, or vice versa. File it the same way as a personal change, but select "Business" when prompted.

What to do if your address change does not work

If mail is still going to your old address after ten business days, contact your local post office directly. Bring your confirmation number from your address change. The postal clerk can check the status and see if there was an error in how the address was entered into the system. Common problems include typos in the address, a new address that is not yet in the USPS database, or mail that was already in the system before your change took effect.

If USPS finds an error on their end, they will correct it at no charge. If the error was in what you entered, you will need to file a new change of address and pay the $1.10 fee again. Some post offices will waive the second fee if the mistake was clearly theirs, but this is not may provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the $1.10 fee if I change my address online?

Yes. USPS charges $1.10 for any address change, whether you do it online, by mail, or in person. This is a one-time fee that covers the first twelve months of mail forwarding. There is no way to change your address with USPS for free.

Can I change my address before I move?

Yes. You can file your address change up to thirty days before your move date. This is useful if you want to make sure everything is set up before you arrive at your new home. Just specify the date you want the change to take effect when you file.

What happens to mail addressed to my old address after twelve months?

After twelve months, USPS stops forwarding mail to your new address. Mail sent to your old address will be returned to the sender or treated as undeliverable. If you are still receiving mail at your old address after a year, you can file another change of address to extend forwarding for another twelve months.

Can someone else change my address for me?

Yes, but only if you authorize them. On the USPS website, you can select "Change of Address for Someone Else" and enter their information. You will still need to provide a valid credit or debit card and pay the $1.10 fee. In person, someone else can file a change of address for you if they bring a signed authorization letter from you and a photo ID.

Does USPS forward packages the same way as regular mail?

Yes. Packages sent to your old address will be forwarded to your new address during the twelve-month forwarding period, just like regular mail. However, some shipping carriers and online retailers may not use USPS for delivery, so forwarding does not explore to packages sent through other carriers like UPS or FedEx.