You can change a USPS shipping address online, by phone, or in person at a post office
The fastest way to change a shipping address is through USPS Informed Delivery on your computer or phone. If you set up an account and linked your mail, you can redirect a specific piece of mail to a new address before it arrives. If you do not have Informed Delivery set up, you can call USPS Customer Service at 1-800-275-8777 or visit your local post office in person. The method you choose depends on how soon you need the change and whether you want to redirect one piece of mail or all incoming mail for a period of time.
For most people moving to a new address, a mail forwarding order is the most practical choice. It redirects all mail from your old address to your new one automatically for six months to 18 months. This catches mail from banks, insurance companies, subscriptions, and other senders you may have forgotten to notify. The cost ranges from $1.10 to $2.10 depending on how long you need forwarding, and the process takes less than 10 minutes online.
Key Takeaways
- USPS Informed Delivery lets you change the address for a single piece of mail online if you have an account and the mail has not yet been delivered to your local facility.
- A mail forwarding order redirects all mail from your old address to a new one for a set period of 6 months, 1 year, or 18 months, and costs between $1.10 and $2.10 depending on the length.
- You can set up mail forwarding online at usps.com, by phone at 1-800-275-8777, or in person at any post office with a valid ID and proof of your new address.
- Changes made online take effect within one business day, while phone and in-person requests may take two to three business days.
- If you need to change the address on a package that has already shipped, contact the sender or the carrier directly rather than USPS, as USPS can only intercept packages still in their system.
Changing a single piece of mail through Informed Delivery
If you have a USPS Informed Delivery account, you can see images of mail arriving at your address and redirect individual pieces before they are delivered. Log into your account at informeddelivery.usps.com, find the piece of mail you want to redirect, and select the option to change its delivery address. You will need to enter the new address and confirm the change. This works only if the mail has not yet been sorted for delivery in your area.
Informed Delivery shows you mail one to three days before it arrives, so you have a narrow window to make the change. If the mail has already left the sorting facility, the redirect will not work, and you will need to contact the sender instead. Setting up an Informed Delivery account is free and takes about five minutes if you have a USPS account or can create one with your email and address.
Setting up mail forwarding for all incoming mail
A mail forwarding order sends all mail from your old address to your new one for a set period. This is the right choice if you are moving and want to catch mail from banks, insurance companies, subscriptions, and other senders you may have forgotten to notify. USPS offers forwarding for 6 months, 1 year, or 18 months. The cost is $1.10 for 6 months, $1.60 for 1 year, and $2.10 for 18 months as of 2024, though prices may change.
Mail forwarding does not redirect packages from online retailers or mail that is marked "Do Not Forward." First-class mail, priority mail, and most standard mail will be forwarded. Packages sent through UPS, FedEx, or other carriers will not be affected because those carriers have their own systems. If you are expecting a package from a retailer, contact them directly to update your address before it ships so it goes to the right place from the start.
How to set up mail forwarding online
Go to usps.com and click on "Mail & Packages" in the top menu, then select "Change of Address." You will be asked to enter your old address, new address, and the date you want forwarding to start. You can choose to forward mail for yourself, a family member, or a business. USPS will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions or providing the last four digits of your Social Security number.
After you complete the form, you will be charged the forwarding fee by credit card or debit card. Your forwarding order takes effect within one business day. You will receive a confirmation email with your order number. Keep this number in case you need to cancel or modify the forwarding order later. The entire process takes about five minutes and requires no trip to the post office.
Changing your address by phone or in person
Call USPS Customer Service at 1-800-275-8777 to set up mail forwarding over the phone. A representative will ask for your old address, new address, the date you want forwarding to start, and a payment method. The process takes about 10 minutes. Phone requests take two to three business days to process, so call earlier than you would order online if you need the forwarding to start on a specific date.
You can also visit your local post office and fill out Form 3575, the official change-of-address form. Bring a valid ID and proof of your new address, such as a lease, utility bill, or mortgage statement. The post office will process your request on the spot, and forwarding usually begins within one business day. In-person requests are a good option if you prefer to handle it face-to-face or if you do not have a credit card for online payment.
What to do if you need to change an address on a package that already shipped
If a package is already in transit and you need to change where it goes, contact the sender or the retailer first. They may be able to intercept the package before it reaches USPS or the final delivery carrier. If the package is already with USPS, you can contact USPS Delivery Intercept at 1-800-275-8777 and ask if the package can be held or redirected, but this works only if the package has not been delivered yet and is still in the USPS system.
For packages shipped through UPS or FedEx, contact those carriers directly. Each carrier has its own process for intercepting or redirecting packages in transit. The sooner you contact them after shipping, the better your chances of changing the delivery address. If the package has already been delivered to the original address, you will need to arrange a pickup or have someone at that address forward it to you.
Canceling or changing a mail forwarding order
If you set up mail forwarding and need to cancel it early or change the end date, log back into your USPS account at usps.com and go to "Manage Your Change of Address." You can view all active forwarding orders and cancel them if needed. If you cancel before the forwarding period ends, USPS does not refund the fee you paid.
You can also call USPS Customer Service at 1-800-275-8777 or visit your local post office to cancel a forwarding order. Have your confirmation number ready if you call. If you need to extend forwarding beyond the original end date, you can set up a new forwarding order for the additional time period and pay the fee for that extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a USPS address change to take effect?
Online requests take effect within one business day. Phone and in-person requests take two to three business days. If you need the change to start on a specific date, order online or visit the post office at least a few days before that date to allow for processing time.
Will mail forwarding catch mail from my bank or credit card company?
Yes, first-class mail from banks, insurance companies, and most other businesses will be forwarded. However, some mail marked "Do Not Forward" will be returned to the sender instead. Contact your bank or credit card company directly to update your address in their system so they do not send mail marked with that restriction.
Can I change the address on a package after I have ordered it but before it ships?
Contact the retailer or sender as soon as possible. Many retailers allow you to change the shipping address if the order has not yet been picked and packed. Once the package is in transit with USPS, UPS, or FedEx, you will need to contact the carrier to see if they can intercept it.
What happens to mail that arrives after my forwarding order expires?
Mail that arrives after your forwarding period ends will be treated as undeliverable and returned to the sender. If you are still at a new address and expect to receive mail there, set up a new forwarding order before the first one expires, or contact senders directly to update your address.
Do I need to pay for mail forwarding every time I move?
Yes, each forwarding order is a separate transaction with its own fee. If you move again, you will set up a new forwarding order from your current address to your next address and pay the fee again based on how long you want forwarding to last.