Change Your Address Before Mail Arrives at the Old One

You can change your USPS delivery address online, by mail, or in person at your local post office. The fastest method is the USPS website at usps.com, where you fill out a form and pay a small fee—usually around $1.10 for online changes. The address change takes effect within three to five business days, though mail already in transit to your old address may still arrive there for a week or two after you submit the change.

The key timing issue: submit your change as soon as you know you are moving. If you wait until after mail has already been sent to your old address, USPS cannot redirect it backward. Mail sent after your change date will go to the new address, but anything already in the postal system keeps going to the old one.

Key Takeaways

  • Online changes at usps.com are the fastest option and take effect in three to five business days for a small fee.
  • You will need your old address, new address, and the date you want the change to start—typically the day you move or the day before.
  • USPS forwards mail to your new address for up to 12 months, but only mail sent after your change date; mail already in transit still goes to the old address.
  • If you do not have internet access, you can fill out Form 3575 at your post office or request one by mail.
  • Some mail—like packages from private carriers and forwarded mail from other countries—may not be redirected, so notify senders directly when possible.

Changing Your Address Online at USPS.com

Go to usps.com and click "Mail & Packages" in the top menu, then select "Change of Address." You will see two options: a temporary change (for up to one year) or a permanent change. Choose permanent if you are moving and do not plan to return to the old address.

Enter your old address exactly as it appears on mail you receive—including apartment number, suite, or unit if you have one. Then enter your new address the same way. Select the date you want the change to start; this is usually the day you move or the day before. USPS will ask you to confirm your identity by answering security questions based on your credit history, then charge your fee (typically $1.10 for online changes) to a debit or credit card.

After you submit, USPS sends a confirmation email and a postcard to both your old and new addresses. The postcard to your old address is a security measure—if someone else submitted a change without your permission, you can report it. Keep the confirmation email for your records; it includes your confirmation number and the exact date your change takes effect.

Using Form 3575 at Your Post Office

If you prefer not to use the website, visit your local post office and ask for Form 3575, the official change-of-address form. Fill it out by hand with your old address, new address, and the date the change should start. You will need to show a photo ID and sign the form in front of the postal clerk.

The fee is the same as online (around $1.10), and the processing time is also three to five business days. Some post offices allow you to submit the form and pay in person; others may mail it to a processing center. Ask the clerk whether your office processes it on-site or sends it elsewhere, because this affects how quickly your change takes effect.

What Happens to Mail After You Change Your Address

Once your change is active, USPS automatically forwards mail addressed to your old address to your new one for up to 12 months. You do not have to do anything else—the mail carrier will see the change in the system and redirect your mail. However, this only works for mail that arrives at the post office after your change date. Mail that was already sorted and in delivery trucks before your change went live will still go to the old address.

Some types of mail are not forwarded automatically. Packages from private carriers like UPS or FedEx do not use USPS forwarding, so contact those companies separately if you have packages coming. Mail from other countries may not be redirected either. For important mail—bank statements, insurance documents, tax forms—contact the sender directly and give them your new address so they update their records.

Changing Your Address by Mail

If you cannot visit the post office or use the website, you can request Form 3575 by mail. Call USPS at 1-800-275-8777 and ask them to mail you the form, or read it from usps.com and print it yourself. Fill it out with your old address, new address, and start date, then mail it to the address listed on the form (usually your local post office).

Processing takes longer this way—typically seven to ten business days from the time USPS receives your form, plus mail delivery time both ways. If you are moving soon, this method is slower than going online or visiting in person. Include a check or money order for the fee if you are mailing the form; paying by card requires the online method.

Common Mistakes That Delay Your Address Change

The most common error is entering your old address incorrectly. If you type it differently than it appears on your actual mail—for example, writing "Street" instead of "St." or leaving off an apartment number—USPS may not match it to your account and the change will not process. Copy your old address directly from a piece of mail you have received.

Another mistake is choosing the wrong start date. If you select a date in the past, USPS will reject it. If you select a date far in the future, mail will keep going to your old address until that date arrives. Choose the date you move or the day before—not weeks ahead of time.

Some people submit a change and then do not check their email for the confirmation. If USPS could not verify your identity or found an error in your address, they will email you asking for more information. If you do not respond within a certain time, your request expires and you have to start over.

Temporary Address Changes and Seasonal Moves

If you are moving temporarily—for example, spending winter in another state or staying with family for a few months—you can set up a temporary change instead of a permanent one. On usps.com, select "Temporary Change of Address" and set an end date. After that date, mail automatically goes back to your original address without you having to submit another form.

Temporary changes last up to one year. If you need to extend it, you can submit another temporary change before the first one expires. This is useful for seasonal moves or situations where you are not sure how long you will be at the new address.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for my address change to start working?

Online changes and in-person submissions at the post office take three to five business days. Mail submitted by regular mail takes seven to ten business days from when USPS receives it. Your confirmation email will tell you the exact date your change becomes active.

Will mail sent to my old address before I moved still be forwarded?

No. USPS only forwards mail that arrives at the post office after your change date. Mail already in delivery trucks or sorted for your old address before the change goes live will be delivered to the old address. Contact important senders—banks, insurance companies, employers—and give them your new address directly.

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

Online changes require identity verification through security questions, not a physical ID. In-person changes at the post office require a photo ID. If you do not have one, try the online method first; if that does not work, ask the post office clerk what documents they can accept instead.

What if someone else changed my address without permission?

Contact your local post office when ready with your confirmation postcard or the postcard you received at your old address. USPS can reverse an unauthorized change. You can also call 1-800-275-8777 to report it. If you suspect identity theft, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov.

Do I need to change my address with USPS if I am moving to a different apartment in the same building?

Yes. Even if you are moving within the same building, a different apartment number is a different address in the postal system. Submit a change-of-address form so mail goes to the correct unit. Without the change, mail may be delivered to your old apartment.