The fastest way to change your address at USPS

You can change your mailing address with USPS online through their official website, by mail, or in person at your local post office. The online method is fastest — it takes about 10 minutes and costs $1.10. USPS will forward your mail to your new address for up to 12 months once the change takes effect, which is usually within one business day.

The online form is called USPS Change of Address, and you access it at usps.com. You will need a valid credit or debit card to pay the fee. If you do not have internet access or prefer to handle it in person, you can fill out form PS 3575 at any post office location — staff there can process it when ready, and the fee is the same.

Key Takeaways

  • The online Change of Address form at usps.com is the quickest method and takes effect within one business day for most addresses.
  • You must pay a $1.10 fee by credit or debit card online, or in cash or card at the post office when using form PS 3575.
  • Mail forwarding lasts 12 months, after which mail to your old address will return to the sender or be treated as undeliverable.
  • USPS will send a confirmation postcard to both your old and new addresses within two to three weeks so you can verify the change went through.
  • If you are moving for a business or managing mail for multiple people, you may need to file separate forms for each person or entity.

Step-by-step: changing your address online

Go to usps.com and look for the "Change of Address" link in the main navigation or search bar. Click it to open the form. You will be asked whether you are moving yourself, managing a business move, or handling mail for someone else — select the option that matches your situation.

Enter your current address exactly as it appears on your mail, including apartment or unit numbers. Then enter your new address. You will choose an effective date — this is when USPS starts forwarding mail, and it can be today or up to 30 days in the future. Most people set it to their actual move date or the day after.

Provide your email address and phone number. USPS uses these to send you a confirmation and to contact you if there are any problems. Review all the information for typos, then proceed to payment. The fee is $1.10, charged to your credit or debit card. You will receive a confirmation number on screen — write it down or take a screenshot.

Changing your address in person at the post office

If you prefer not to use the website, visit your local post office with a valid photo ID. Ask for form PS 3575, which is the official Change of Address form. You can also read and print it from usps.com before you go, which saves time.

Fill in your current address, new address, and the date the change should take effect. Sign and date the form. Hand it to the postal clerk along with your ID and payment — $1.10 in cash or card. The clerk will process it on the spot, and you will receive a receipt. The forwarding will begin within one business day, the same as online.

What happens after you submit the change

USPS will begin forwarding mail from your old address to your new one within one business day. This forwarding lasts for 12 months. After 12 months, mail sent to your old address will be returned to the sender marked "Moved, Left No Address" or treated as undeliverable.

Within two to three weeks, USPS will mail you a confirmation postcard to both your old and new addresses. This postcard confirms the change was processed correctly. If you do not receive the postcard at your new address within three weeks, contact USPS to verify the change went through — you can call 1-800-275-8777 or visit your local post office.

During the 12-month forwarding period, you should notify banks, insurance companies, employers, subscription services, and any other organizations that send you mail. Forwarding is not when ready — it can take a few extra days for mail to reach you — so updating your address directly with these organizations is faster and more reliable.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most frequent error is entering your address differently than it appears on your actual mail. If you live at "123 Main Street, Apt 4B," do not enter "123 Main St, Unit 4B" — USPS's system matches addresses exactly, and a mismatch can delay or prevent the forwarding from working. Copy your address directly from a recent piece of mail or a utility bill.

Another mistake is setting an effective date in the past. USPS will not process a change with a past date — the effective date must be today or later. If you moved last week and are just now filing the change, set the effective date to today, and mail that arrived at your old address during that gap will not be forwarded.

Do not assume the 12-month forwarding period is permanent. After one year, forwarding stops completely. If you think you might need forwarding longer, you can file a new Change of Address form before the first one expires to extend it another 12 months.

Changing address for a business or multiple people

If you are moving a business, you will select "Business" on the online form instead of "Individual." You will need to provide the business name and the business owner's name. The fee is still $1.10, and the process is the same.

If you are managing mail for someone else — such as an elderly parent or a dependent — you must file a separate Change of Address form for that person. USPS requires the person whose mail is being forwarded to sign the form, either in person at the post office or by authorizing you in writing. You cannot file one form to forward mail for multiple people.

What if you need to cancel or change the forwarding

If you filed a Change of Address and need to cancel it before the effective date, contact USPS when ready at 1-800-275-8777 or visit your local post office with your confirmation number. Cancellations are usually free if done before the forwarding starts.

If the forwarding has already started and you need to change the address or end it early, you will need to file a new Change of Address form with the corrected information or a cancellation request. There may be an additional fee depending on your situation. The fastest way is to call 1-800-275-8777 and speak to a representative.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for USPS to start forwarding my mail?

Forwarding usually begins within one business day of when your effective date arrives. If you set the effective date to today and submit the form in the morning, mail may start forwarding by tomorrow. Keep in mind that mail already in transit to your old address may still arrive there and then be forwarded, which can add a few extra days.

Can I change my address if I do not have a credit card?

Yes. Visit your local post office in person with form PS 3575 and your photo ID. You can pay the $1.10 fee in cash or with a debit card. The in-person process is just as fast as online and takes effect within one business day.

What happens to mail that arrives after my 12 months of forwarding ends?

Mail sent to your old address after the 12-month forwarding period expires will be returned to the sender marked "Moved, Left No Address" or treated as undeliverable. USPS does not hold or forward mail after the period ends. You can file a new Change of Address form to extend forwarding another 12 months if needed.

Do I have to pay the fee every time I change my address?

Yes, each Change of Address form costs $1.10, whether you file it online or in person. If you move multiple times in a year, you will pay the fee each time. There is no discount for multiple moves or annual passes.

Can I change my address for just certain types of mail?

No. A Change of Address form forwards all mail sent to your old address to your new one. You cannot set it up to forward only certain types of mail or exclude specific senders. If you want some mail to stay at your old address, you will need to contact those organizations directly and update your address with them individually.