You can change your address online, by mail, or in person at your local post office

The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers three ways to update your mailing address: through their website at usps.com, by filling out a paper form at any post office, or by phone through their customer service line. The online method is fastest and costs $1.10. The paper form, called PS Form 3575, is free but takes longer to process. You will need your old address, new address, and a valid ID to complete the change through any method.

Once you submit your change, USPS typically begins forwarding mail within three to five business days. The forwarding lasts for 12 months. During this time, mail sent to your old address will be delivered to your new one. After 12 months, the forwarding stops and mail sent to your old address will be returned to the sender or treated as undeliverable.

Key Takeaways

  • Online address changes through usps.com cost $1.10 and take effect within three to five business days.
  • Paper forms (PS Form 3575) are free at any post office but process more slowly than online changes.
  • Mail forwarding lasts 12 months; after that, mail to your old address will not reach you.
  • You will need a valid ID and both your old and new addresses to complete the change.
  • Some mail, such as certified letters and packages from certain shippers, may not forward automatically.

Changing your address online through USPS

Go to usps.com and select "Change of Address" from the homepage. You will be taken to the USPS Informed Delivery portal, where you can log in with an existing account or create a new one. The site will ask for your current address, new address, the date you want the change to take effect, and a valid ID number (driver's license, state ID, or passport). You will also enter a phone number and email address.

After you fill in all fields, USPS will charge $1.10 to your debit or credit card. The change takes effect within three to five business days. You will receive a confirmation email once the change is complete. This is the fastest method and works well if you have internet access and a valid payment card.

Changing your address with a paper form at the post office

Visit any USPS post office and ask for PS Form 3575, the official change of address form. The form is free. You will fill in your current address, new address, the effective date, and sign the form in front of a postal worker. Bring a valid ID with you; the postal worker will check it before accepting the form.

Processing a paper form takes longer than the online method — typically one to two weeks instead of three to five business days. This option works if you do not have internet access, prefer not to use a credit card, or want to handle the change in person. Some people use this method when they are moving locally and can visit the post office the same day.

Changing your address by phone

You can call USPS customer service at 1-800-275-8777 to request a change of address. The representative will take your old address, new address, effective date, and ID information over the phone. However, you will still need to pay the $1.10 fee, which means providing a debit or credit card number to the representative.

Phone changes process at the same speed as online changes — three to five business days. This option is useful if you have questions about the process or need help filling out your information, but it requires the same payment as the online method and takes longer than visiting the post office in person.

What mail will and will not forward

Standard mail, letters, and packages from most retailers will forward to your new address during the 12-month forwarding period. However, some types of mail do not forward automatically. Certified mail, registered mail, and insured mail will not forward; these will be returned to the sender as undeliverable. Packages from certain shippers, such as UPS or FedEx, will not forward through USPS because they use their own delivery networks.

To may support you do not miss important mail, notify banks, insurance companies, government agencies, employers, and subscription services of your new address directly. Do not rely solely on USPS forwarding for critical documents like tax forms, insurance statements, or loan documents. Many organizations update their records faster when you contact them directly than when mail is forwarded.

What happens after the 12-month forwarding period ends

Once 12 months have passed since your change of address took effect, USPS stops forwarding mail to your new address. Any mail sent to your old address after that date will be returned to the sender marked "No Longer at This Address" or treated as undeliverable. The sender may then attempt to contact you using other information they have on file, or they may straightforward discard the mail.

If you need forwarding to continue beyond 12 months, you can submit a new change of address form before the first one expires. Some people renew their forwarding when they know they will still be receiving mail at their old address. Check with organizations that send you regular mail — banks, insurers, and government agencies — to make sure they have your new address on file before the forwarding period ends.

Changing your address for a business or organization

If you are changing the address for a business, nonprofit, or other organization, you will need to use a different form. USPS Form 3575-B is for business address changes. You can obtain this form at any post office or read it from usps.com. The process is similar to the residential form, but you will need to provide the business name, the person authorized to make the change, and their signature.

Business address changes also cost $1.10 online or are free on paper. Processing times are the same as residential changes. If your business receives mail under multiple names or at multiple locations, you may need to file separate forms for each address or name variation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for mail to start forwarding after I change my address?

USPS typically begins forwarding mail within three to five business days of processing your change. If you submitted a paper form, it may take one to two weeks. Plan ahead if you are expecting important mail at your new address, and notify senders directly when possible.

Can I change my address if I do not have a valid ID?

USPS requires a valid ID to process a change of address, whether online or in person. Acceptable IDs include a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. If you do not have one of these, you will need to obtain one before you can change your address with USPS.

What if I move again before the 12-month forwarding period ends?

You can submit a new change of address form for your second move. USPS will forward mail from your first address to your second address during the remaining forwarding period. However, it is simpler to notify senders directly of your new address rather than relying on multiple forwarding steps.

Will my mail forward if I move to a different state?

Yes, USPS forwards mail across state lines the same way it forwards mail within a state. The 12-month forwarding period and processing times are the same regardless of distance. Out-of-state moves may take slightly longer for some mail due to distance, but the forwarding service works nationwide.

Can I cancel a change of address before it takes effect?

If you submitted your change online or by phone and have not yet reached the effective date, you can contact USPS to cancel it. Call 1-800-275-8777 or log into your USPS account online. If you submitted a paper form, contact your local post office directly. Cancellations are easier to process before the effective date than after forwarding has begun.