The Post Office processes a change of address in one business day, but mail redirection starts three to five business days later

When you submit a change of address form at the Post Office, the system records your request when ready. However, the actual redirection of your mail does not begin right away. The Post Office typically needs three to five business days from the date you submit the form before mail sent to your old address starts being forwarded to your new one. During those first few days, mail carriers are still delivering to your old address normally.

If you submit your change of address online at usps.com, the timeline is the same—three to five business days before redirection begins. Submitting in person at a Post Office location does not speed this up. The delay exists because the Post Office must update its systems across multiple mail processing facilities and notify carriers in both your old and new delivery areas.

Key Takeaways

  • Mail redirection starts three to five business days after you submit your change of address, not when ready.
  • The Post Office processes your form on the same day you submit it, but the forwarding system needs several days to set up across all facilities.
  • Submitting online at usps.com takes the same amount of time as submitting in person.
  • Other services—banks, insurance companies, government agencies—have their own timelines and do not automatically receive your new address from the Post Office.
  • Mail forwarding lasts for 12 months if you are moving within the United States, then stops automatically.

Why the three-to-five-day wait happens

The Post Office does not forward mail from a single location. Your mail passes through multiple sorting facilities—your local Post Office, a regional distribution center, and sometimes a national processing hub—depending on where it is coming from. Each facility must receive and process the change-of-address record before it can start redirecting mail. This is why the wait exists even if you live in a small town.

During the waiting period, mail addressed to your old address will still be delivered there. If someone you know is staying at your old address, they can collect it for you, or you can ask the new resident to mark it "return to sender" so it goes back to the sender. Once the three-to-five-day window closes, the Post Office will begin forwarding that mail to your new address instead.

What happens after mail redirection starts

Once your change of address is active, the Post Office forwards mail addressed to your old address to your new one for 12 months. After that, forwarding stops automatically. If you need it to continue beyond 12 months, you must submit a new change-of-address form.

Not all mail gets forwarded. First-class mail, priority mail, and standard mail all forward normally. However, magazines, newspapers, and packages sometimes do not forward, depending on how the sender has set up their mailing list. If you subscribe to publications, contact them directly with your new address rather than relying on Post Office forwarding.

Updating other services takes longer than the Post Office

The Post Office change of address does not notify your bank, insurance company, employer, government agencies, or subscription services. You must contact each one separately, and each has its own processing time. A bank may update your address within one business day; a government agency may take two to four weeks. Do not assume your address has been updated anywhere except the Post Office.

Create a list of the services that matter most to you—your bank, insurance, employer, the IRS, Social Security, your state's DMV, and any subscriptions you pay for. Contact each one directly with your new address. Keep a record of when you notified them and ask for confirmation. This prevents bills from going to your old address and reduces the risk of missing important documents.

How to submit a change of address

You can submit a change of address online at usps.com, in person at any Post Office, or by mail using USPS Form 3575. Online submission is the fastest way to confirm your request because you receive a confirmation number when ready. In-person submission takes a few minutes and requires a valid ID. Mailing in the form adds several days because the form itself must travel through the mail system.

The online form at usps.com asks for your old address, new address, the date you want the forwarding to begin, and whether you are moving permanently or temporarily. If you are moving temporarily, you can set an end date for forwarding, and it will stop automatically on that date. The cost is $1.10 for online submission or $1.10 in person as of 2024, though prices may vary.

What to do if mail is still going to your old address after five days

If more than five business days have passed and mail is still being delivered to your old address instead of forwarded, contact your local Post Office. Bring your confirmation number if you submitted online. The Post Office can check whether your change of address was processed correctly and investigate any delays. Processing errors are rare, but they do happen.

If you no longer have access to your old address and cannot retrieve mail that arrives there, ask the current resident or property manager to collect it for you. You can also file a mail forwarding claim with the Post Office if important mail is lost. However, the fastest solution is to contact each sender directly and provide your new address.

Planning ahead for a move

Submit your change of address at least one week before you move. This gives the Post Office time to process it and begin forwarding before you leave your old address. If you move before submitting the form, you can still submit it afterward, but mail that arrived at your old address during the gap will not be forwarded unless the new resident or landlord forwards it to you.

At the same time you submit your change of address, start notifying other services. Send your new address to your bank, insurance company, employer, and any government agencies that have your information on file. The sooner you do this, the sooner they will have your correct address in their systems, and the less likely you are to miss important mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my address online and have it start when ready?

No. Online submission and in-person submission both take three to five business days before mail redirection begins. The delay is built into the Post Office system and cannot be skipped, regardless of how you submit the form.

Does the Post Office tell my bank and insurance company about my move?

No. The Post Office only forwards mail addressed to your old address. You must contact your bank, insurance company, and other services separately to update your address in their systems.

What happens to my mail after 12 months of forwarding?

Mail forwarding stops automatically after 12 months. Any mail sent to your old address after that date will not be forwarded. If you need forwarding to continue, submit a new change-of-address form before the 12 months end.

If I move and do not submit a change of address, can I still get my mail?

No. Without a change-of-address form, mail sent to your old address will be delivered there, not to your new location. You would need to ask the new resident or property manager to forward it to you, or contact each sender directly.

Does mail forwarding cost money?

Yes. As of 2024, online submission costs $1.10 and in-person submission also costs $1.10. Prices may vary, so check usps.com or ask at your local Post Office for the current fee.