The fastest way to change your address with USPS

You can change your address with the United States Postal Service online at usps.com, by mail, or in person at your local post office. The online method takes about 10 minutes and costs $1.10. USPS will forward your mail to your new address for 12 months if you submit the change before you move, or up to 30 days after you arrive.

The change takes effect within three to five business days of submission. During that window, some mail may still arrive at your old address—this is normal. Mail carriers begin forwarding once the system processes your request, but pieces already in transit cannot be redirected.

If you need the change to happen faster, go to your local post office in person with a photo ID and proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days). A postal clerk can process it when ready, though forwarding still takes a few business days to set up in the system.

Key Takeaways

  • USPS online address change at usps.com costs $1.10 and takes 10 minutes, with forwarding active within three to five business days.
  • You must provide a photo ID and proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement from the last 60 days) to change your address in person or online.
  • Mail forwarding lasts 12 months and covers both First-Class Mail and packages, but does not redirect mail addressed to a business at your old address unless you own that business.
  • Submitting your change before moving day prevents mail from piling up at your old address, though some pieces in transit may still arrive there after you move.
  • You must change your address separately with each bank, employer, subscription service, and government agency—USPS forwarding does not notify them automatically.

Changing your address online at USPS

Go to usps.com and click "Change of Address" in the top menu. You will be taken to the Informed Delivery portal, where you can start a new request. Enter your current address, the date you are moving (or have moved), and your new address. USPS will ask whether you are moving a household or a business.

Next, provide your name, phone number, and email address. You will need a credit or debit card to pay the $1.10 fee. After payment, USPS sends a confirmation email with a reference number. Save this number in case you need to check the status of your request or contact USPS later.

The system will ask whether you want to forward mail for additional people at the same address. You can add a spouse, adult child, or roommate for the same $1.10 fee per person. Each person needs their own name and date of birth on file.

Changing your address in person at the post office

Bring a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and proof of your new address to your local post office. Acceptable proof includes a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The name on the proof document must match the name on your ID.

Ask the postal clerk for Form 3575, the official change-of-address form. You can fill it out at the counter or bring one completed from home (available at usps.com). The clerk will process it when ready and charge $1.10. You will receive a receipt with a confirmation number.

In-person submission does not speed up mail forwarding—it still takes three to five business days to set up. However, going to the post office is useful if you do not have a credit card, prefer not to use the website, or need to change the address for multiple household members at once.

Changing your address by mail

read Form 3575 from usps.com, print it, and fill it out by hand. Include your current address, new address, and the date your move is effective. Sign and date the form. Mail it to your local post office—the address is printed on the form itself, or you can find it by entering your ZIP code at usps.com/locations.

Include a check or money order for $1.10 made out to "USPS." Do not send cash. Mail the form at least two weeks before your move to allow time for processing and mail delivery. This method is slower than online or in-person submission and should only be used if you cannot access the website or visit a post office.

What mail forwarding covers and what it does not

USPS forwarding covers First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and packages sent to your name at your old address. It does not cover mail addressed to a business at your old address unless you own that business and submit the change under the business name.

Forwarding does not redirect mail sent to "Resident," "Occupant," or "Current Resident." Bulk mail, magazines, and catalogs may not forward if they are addressed generically. Some subscription services and marketing mail senders do not honor USPS forwarding, so you may still receive unwanted mail at your old address.

Mail forwarding lasts 12 months from the date you submit the change. After 12 months, mail sent to your old address will be returned to the sender marked "No Forwarding Address on File." If you need forwarding to continue, you must submit a new change-of-address request before the 12 months expire.

Notifying banks, employers, and government agencies

USPS forwarding does not automatically notify your bank, employer, insurance company, or government agencies of your move. You must contact each organization separately to update your address on file. Start with the most important accounts: your bank, credit card companies, employer, and health insurance provider.

For government agencies, update your address with the IRS (irs.gov), Social Security Administration (ssa.gov), your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, and your state tax authority. If you receive benefits from any program, contact the administering agency directly—do not rely on USPS forwarding to keep your address current with them.

Create a checklist of all accounts and services that have your old address on file. Include subscriptions, online retailers, utility companies, loan servicers, and any memberships. Update each one within a week of moving to prevent missed bills, lost refunds, or delayed important documents.

Timing and what to expect during the transition

Submit your USPS change of address three to five days before moving day if possible. This gives the system time to process your request and set up forwarding before mail starts arriving at your new address. If you move before submitting the change, you can still submit it up to 30 days after your move date, but mail sent during those first 30 days may not forward.

During the three to five business days after submission, some mail may still arrive at your old address. This is normal—pieces already in the postal system cannot be recalled. Once forwarding activates, mail carriers will redirect new pieces to your new address. The forwarding label is applied at the post office, so forwarded mail may take one to two extra days to reach you.

If you do not receive forwarded mail within two weeks of moving, check your USPS confirmation email for the reference number and visit usps.com/trackandmanage to check the status. You can also call USPS Customer Service at 1-800-275-8777 with your reference number.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

USPS requires a photo ID for in-person submissions. If you do not have one, you can still change your address online at usps.com using a credit or debit card. You will not need to show ID. If you cannot use the website and do not have a photo ID, ask a family member or trusted person to submit the change on your behalf with their ID and a signed letter from you authorizing the change.

What counts as proof of my new address?

USPS accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government-issued document dated within the last 60 days and showing your name and new address. The name on the proof must match your ID exactly. If your name on the lease is different from your ID (for example, a maiden name versus a married name), bring both documents to explain the difference.

Can I change my address for just my mail and not my spouse's?

Yes. Each person needs their own change-of-address request. You can submit one for yourself and your spouse can submit one separately, or you can add your spouse to your request at the time of submission for an additional $1.10. If you are changing your address and your spouse is staying at the old address, submit separate requests with different move dates.

What happens to mail that arrives after my 12-month forwarding period ends?

After 12 months, mail sent to your old address will be returned to the sender marked "No Forwarding Address on File." The sender may then contact you if they have another address on file, or the mail may be discarded. If you need forwarding to continue past 12 months, submit a new change-of-address request before the first one expires.

Can I change my address if I am moving to a military base or overseas?

Yes, but the process is different. For military moves, use the military postal address (APO, FPO, or DPO) as your new address when submitting your change. For moves overseas to a civilian address, submit your change through usps.com using your new international address. Forwarding to overseas addresses may take longer and may not be available in all countries—contact USPS before moving to confirm.