Where to File Your Change of Address
You file a change of address with the United States Postal Service (USPS), not with your city or state. The USPS operates the official system that tells mail carriers where to send your letters and packages. You have three ways to file: online at usps.com, in person at your local post office, or by mail using Form 3071.
The online method is fastest and costs nothing. You can complete it in about five minutes from home, and it takes effect within one business day. If you prefer to file in person, bring a valid ID and proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days). Filing by mail takes longer—mail the completed Form 3071 to your local post office and wait 7 to 10 days for processing.
Key Takeaways
- File your change of address directly with USPS at usps.com, at your local post office, or by mailing Form 3071—no other agency handles mail forwarding.
- Online filing is free and takes effect within one business day; in-person filing requires a valid ID and proof of your new address.
- A change of address lasts 12 months for residential moves and 18 months for business moves, then expires unless you renew it.
- Mail forwarding does not automatically update your address with banks, insurance companies, employers, or government agencies—you must contact them separately.
- The USPS charges a small fee for in-person or mail filing ($1.10 online as of 2024, though prices vary by year).
Filing Online at USPS.com
Go to usps.com and click "Change of Address" in the top navigation menu. You will land on the USPS change of address page. Click the button to start a new request. You will need your current address, your new address, and the date you want the forwarding to begin.
Enter your name, current address, and new address exactly as they appear on your mail and lease or utility bill. Select whether this is a residential move, a business move, or a move for an apartment complex. Choose your start date—this can be today or any date up to 30 days in the future. Review the information for accuracy, then pay the fee using a credit or debit card. You will receive a confirmation number by email within minutes.
The forwarding takes effect the next business day. Mail sent to your old address will be forwarded to your new one for 12 months (18 months if you filed for a business). After that period, the forwarding stops and mail sent to your old address will be returned to the sender or discarded.
Filing In Person at Your Local Post Office
Bring a completed Form 3071 (available at any post office or downloadable from usps.com), a valid government-issued ID, and proof of your new address. Proof can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Your name on the proof must match your ID.
Walk into your local post office during business hours and hand the form and documents to a clerk. They will verify your information and process the request on the spot. You will pay a small fee and receive a receipt. The forwarding begins on the date you specify on the form, usually within one to two business days.
Filing by Mail Using Form 3071
read Form 3071 from usps.com or pick one up at your post office. Fill in your current address, new address, and the date you want forwarding to start. Sign and date the form. Include a copy of your proof of new address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement).
Mail the completed form and proof to your local post office. The address is printed on the form itself. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days from the date the post office receives it. You will not receive a confirmation—the forwarding straightforward begins on the date you specified. If you want proof that your change was filed, request a receipt when you mail the form, though this adds time.
What a Change of Address Does and Does Not Do
A USPS change of address forwards mail only. It tells mail carriers to send letters and packages from your old address to your new one. It does not automatically update your address with banks, insurance companies, employers, government agencies, subscription services, or doctors' offices. You must contact each of these separately.
Start a list of places that have your address: your bank, credit card companies, insurance providers, employer, the IRS, Social Security, your state's motor vehicle department, utilities, subscriptions, and any medical providers. Call or log into each account and update your address yourself. This usually takes 5 to 10 minutes per account. Do this before or right after you move—waiting until after the forwarding expires means you will miss important mail.
The USPS will also not forward mail addressed to a previous tenant at your new address. If mail arrives for someone else, write "Return to Sender—Person Does Not Live Here" on it and put it back in the mailbox. Do not open it or try to forward it yourself.
How Long Forwarding Lasts and What Happens When It Expires
Residential forwarding lasts 12 months from the start date you chose. Business forwarding lasts 18 months. On the day it expires, the USPS stops forwarding mail to your new address. Any mail sent to your old address after that date will be returned to the sender or discarded.
If you need forwarding to continue beyond 12 months, file a new change of address before the first one expires. You can file online, in person, or by mail using the same process. There is no penalty for filing multiple times, and each new filing resets the clock.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common error is entering your address inconsistently. If your lease says "123 Main Street, Apt 4B" but you enter "123 Main St, Apartment 4B" in the USPS system, mail carriers may not recognize the match and forwarding may fail. Copy your address exactly as it appears on your lease, utility bill, or other official documents.
Another mistake is assuming the change of address updates everywhere. It does not. You must separately notify your bank, insurance company, employer, and any government agencies. Skipping this step means you will miss bills, tax documents, and important notices after the 12-month forwarding period ends.
Do not wait until after you move to file. File 2 to 4 weeks before your move date so forwarding is already active when mail starts arriving at your old address. If you file after you move, mail sent before your filing date will still go to your old address and may be lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a change of address for someone else?
No. The person moving must file the change themselves or authorize you in writing. If you file for someone else without their signature, the USPS may reject it. If the person is unable to file (due to illness or age), contact your local post office to ask about power of attorney or guardianship options.
What if I move multiple times in one year?
You can file a new change of address each time you move. Each filing overwrites the previous one. If you move from Address A to Address B, then from B to C, file a change from A to B first, then file a second change from B to C. Mail sent to A will go to B, then to C.
Does the post office notify my banks and insurance companies?
No. The USPS only forwards mail—it does not contact other organizations. You must call or log into each account and update your address yourself. This is why it is important to make a list and work through it before or right after you move.
How much does a change of address cost?
Online filing costs a small fee (around $1.10 as of 2024, though this varies by year). In-person and mail filing also cost a fee. Check usps.com for the current price, as it changes annually.
What if mail still arrives at my old address after forwarding expires?
The new resident or property manager will receive it. If you still own the property, ask the new tenant or manager to write "Return to Sender—Person Does Not Live Here" on the mail. If you rented, contact your former landlord. After 12 months, the USPS has no obligation to forward, so staying in touch with your old address is your responsibility.