USPS change of address orders last 12 months, then stop working

A USPS change of address (filed through the Postal Service) remains active for exactly 12 months from the date you submit it. After that year ends, mail addressed to your old address will no longer be forwarded to your new one — it will either be returned to the sender or held at your old post office, depending on what the sender does.

The 12-month window is fixed. You cannot extend it without filing a new change of address order. If you know you will need forwarding beyond that point, you can file a new order before the first one expires, and the new order will take effect when ready when the old one ends.

USPS does not send you a reminder when your forwarding is about to expire. You have to track the date yourself or set a calendar alert. If you miss the important date and mail starts piling up at your old address, you can file a new order, but any mail that arrived during the gap will not be re-forwarded.

Key Takeaways

  • USPS forwarding lasts exactly 12 months and then stops; the Postal Service does not extend it automatically.
  • You can file a new change of address order before the first one expires so forwarding continues without a gap.
  • Other services — banks, insurance companies, subscriptions — do not use USPS forwarding and require separate address updates.
  • Temporary forwarding (30 days) is available if you are moving for a short time and do not want a full year of forwarding.
  • USPS keeps a record of your forwarding order for at least three years, so you can look up when yours expires.

Why USPS forwarding has a time limit

The 12-month limit exists because the Postal Service assumes most people who move will eventually notify their correspondents of the new address. Forwarding is meant to catch mail during the transition period, not to become a permanent mail-handling service. After a year, the assumption is that you have had time to update your address with banks, employers, subscriptions, and other regular senders.

The limit also keeps the forwarding database from becoming unwieldy. USPS processes millions of address changes per year, and letting forwarding orders run indefinitely would create a massive backlog of old records.

Temporary forwarding versus 12-month forwarding

USPS offers two types of forwarding. The standard option is 12 months. The other is temporary forwarding, which lasts 30 days and costs less. Temporary forwarding is useful if you are moving for a short assignment, staying with family while you house-hunt, or testing a new location before committing.

You choose which type when you file your change of address order, either online at USPS.com, by mail, or in person at your local post office. Once you have chosen, you cannot switch to the other type — you would have to cancel and file a new order.

What happens when your forwarding expires

On the day your 12-month forwarding period ends, USPS stops forwarding mail. Any piece addressed to your old address will be treated as if no forwarding order exists. The sender's return address determines what happens next: if the envelope has a return address, the post office sends it back to the sender marked "Moved, Left No Address" or similar. If there is no return address, the mail is held briefly and then discarded.

You will not receive a notification that forwarding has ended. If you are expecting important mail — tax documents, bank statements, legal notices — and your forwarding expires, you may miss it. This is why tracking your expiration date matters.

How to check when your forwarding expires

You can look up your change of address order on USPS.com using your last name, address, and ZIP code. The system will show you the date your forwarding began and the date it will end. You can also call USPS customer service at 1-800-275-8777, though the online lookup is faster.

If you filed your order in person at the post office, you should have received a receipt with the expiration date printed on it. Keep that receipt in a safe place so you can refer back to it.

Renewing your forwarding before it expires

To avoid a gap in mail forwarding, file a new change of address order at least a week before your current one expires. The new order will take effect on the day the old one ends, so there is no interruption. You can file the renewal online, by mail, or in person.

If you file the new order after your current forwarding has already expired, there will be a gap during which mail is not forwarded. Any mail that arrives during that gap will not be re-forwarded once the new order takes effect. For this reason, planning ahead is important.

Banks, insurance, and subscriptions do not use USPS forwarding

A critical point: USPS forwarding does not automatically update your address with banks, insurance companies, employers, subscription services, or government agencies. These organizations maintain their own address records and do not check USPS forwarding data.

You must contact each organization separately to update your address. This includes your bank, credit card companies, insurance providers, employer, the IRS, Social Security, your state's DMV, utility companies, and any subscription services. If you do not update them, they will continue sending mail to your old address, and that mail will not be forwarded once your USPS order expires.

The best practice is to make a list of every organization that has your address and contact each one within the first week of your move. This prevents mail from being lost and ensures you receive important documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend my change of address beyond 12 months?

No. USPS forwarding automatically stops after 12 months. To continue forwarding, you must file a new change of address order before the first one expires. The new order will begin the moment the old one ends, so there is no gap if you plan ahead.

What if I move again before my forwarding expires?

You can file a new change of address order for your second move. The new order will replace the old one, and forwarding will begin from your second address instead. You do not need to cancel the first order — filing a new one automatically supersedes it.

Do I have to pay to renew my forwarding?

Yes. Each change of address order, whether new or renewal, costs the same amount. As of 2024, USPS charges a fee for online orders and a different fee for in-person or mail orders, though prices vary by region. Check USPS.com for current pricing.

Will my mail be returned to the sender after forwarding expires?

Only if the sender's return address is printed on the envelope. If there is a return address, the post office sends the mail back marked "Moved, Left No Address." If there is no return address, the mail is held briefly and then discarded. You will not receive it either way.

Can I set up forwarding for someone else at my address?

No. USPS requires the person whose name is on the mail to file the change of address order themselves, or to authorize someone else in writing. You cannot file a forwarding order for a family member or roommate without their signed consent.