You can change your address online through USPS in about five minutes

The fastest way to change your address with the U.S. Postal Service is through their website at usps.com. You do not need to visit a post office or call anyone. The process takes you through a form, asks you to verify your identity, and charges a one-time fee of $1.10. Once approved, mail forwarding starts within three to five business days.

The online method works for permanent address changes — moving to a new house or apartment — and for temporary holds if you are away for a few weeks. You can also change your address in person at any post office, but the online route is faster and you can do it at any time of day.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to usps.com/manage and select "Change of Address" to start the online form without leaving home.
  • You will need your current address, new address, and a valid ID number (driver's license, passport, or military ID) to verify your identity.
  • The fee is $1.10 for a permanent change and $1.10 for a temporary hold; payment is by debit card, credit card, or bank account.
  • Mail forwarding begins three to five business days after USPS approves your request, so plan ahead if you have bills or important mail coming.
  • If you live with others, each person needs their own change-of-address request — one form does not cover a household.

Step-by-step: filing your change of address online

Start at usps.com/manage. Click on "Change of Address" in the menu. You will see two options: "Move" for a permanent change and "Hold Mail" for a temporary stop. Select the one that matches your situation.

Fill in your current address exactly as it appears on your mail. Then enter your new address. For the effective date, pick the day you want forwarding to start — this is usually the day you move or the day you want mail to stop going to the old place. You can set it up to 30 days in advance.

Next, USPS asks you to verify your identity. You will need to provide a driver's license number, passport number, military ID number, or state ID number. Enter the number and the state or country that issued it. USPS checks this against government records to confirm you are who you say you are.

Review the address and dates one more time. Then pay the $1.10 fee using a debit card, credit card, or bank account. You will get a confirmation number on screen and in your email. Save this number — you can use it to track your request or cancel if you change your mind within one day.

What happens after you submit your request

USPS processes your request within one business day. You will receive an email confirming whether it was approved or rejected. Most requests are approved when ready. If there is a problem — for example, the address you entered does not match postal records — USPS will tell you what to fix.

Once approved, mail forwarding starts on the effective date you chose. This means mail addressed to your old address will be forwarded to your new one for 12 months (for a permanent move) or for the length of your hold (for a temporary stop). After 12 months, forwarding stops and mail sent to the old address will be returned to the sender or discarded.

Some mail does not forward automatically. This includes packages from retailers, bank statements, and government documents. You should contact your bank, employer, insurance company, and any subscription services to update your address directly with them. Do not rely on USPS forwarding for critical mail.

Temporary holds versus permanent moves

A temporary hold pauses mail delivery to your current address for up to 30 days. Your mail is held at the post office, and you pick it up when you return. This is useful if you are traveling or staying somewhere else for a short time. After the hold ends, mail delivery resumes to your original address.

A permanent move forwards all mail from your old address to your new one for a full year. This is what you use when you relocate. After 12 months, the forwarding order expires. If you move again before the year is up, you can file a new change-of-address request for your next location.

Identity verification and what USPS checks

USPS verifies your identity by matching the ID number you provide against records from the Department of Motor Vehicles, the State Department, or the Department of Defense. This is an automated check that happens when ready. You do not need to upload a photo or document.

If your ID number does not match the address you are changing from, USPS will reject the request. This can happen if you recently moved and your ID still shows an old address, or if you entered the number incorrectly. If this occurs, you can try again with a different ID number, or visit a post office in person with your ID and current mail as proof of address.

When to change your address before you move

You can file your change-of-address request up to 30 days before your move date. This is useful if you know when you are moving but have not yet left your current address. Set the effective date to your moving day or the day after, and forwarding will start automatically on that date.

If you move without filing first, you can still file afterward. Forwarding will begin within three to five business days of approval, so any mail that arrives at your old address after that point will be sent to your new one. Mail that arrives before your request is processed will not be forwarded.

Changing address for multiple people in your household

Each person in your household needs their own change-of-address request. One form does not cover a spouse, partner, adult child, or roommate. Each person must go through the online form separately, provide their own ID number, and pay the $1.10 fee.

If you are managing the move for others, you can file on their behalf if you have their ID number and know their current and new addresses. However, they will still need to verify the request — USPS may send a confirmation email to the address on file asking them to confirm the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my change of address after I submit it?

Yes, you can cancel within one day of filing by going back to usps.com/manage and using your confirmation number. After one day, you cannot cancel online. To cancel after that, visit your local post office with your confirmation number and ask them to remove the request. You will not get a refund of the $1.10 fee.

What if I do not have a driver's license or passport?

You can use a state ID number or military ID number instead. If you do not have any of these, you will need to file your change of address in person at a post office. Bring two forms of ID (one with a photo) and a piece of mail showing your current address.

Does USPS forward packages from online stores?

No. Packages from retailers like Amazon do not forward automatically. You must update your address directly with each retailer and your bank. USPS only forwards mail — letters, bills, and magazines. Contact any company that ships to you and ask them to update your address in their system.

How long does mail forwarding last?

For a permanent move, forwarding lasts 12 months from your effective date. After that, mail sent to your old address will be returned to the sender or discarded. For a temporary hold, forwarding lasts only as long as your hold period — usually up to 30 days.

What if my new address is not recognized by USPS?

If USPS cannot find your new address in their system, the form will reject it. This can happen with very new addresses or rural routes. Try entering the address in a slightly different format, or visit a post office and ask the clerk to verify the address. They can file your change of address in person using the correct postal format.