Change your address online, by mail, or in person at your local post office
The fastest way to change your address with the U.S. Postal Service is through their online form at usps.com, which takes about 10 minutes and costs $1.10. You can also fill out a paper form called PS Form 3575 at any post office, or call 1-800-275-8777 to request a form by mail. The post office will forward your mail to your new address for 12 months, though some mail (like packages from retailers) may not forward automatically.
Your address change takes effect within three to five business days after you submit it. During that waiting period, mail sent to your old address will still arrive there, so notify important senders—banks, employers, insurance companies, subscription services—before or right after you submit the change. The post office forwards first-class mail, magazines, and some packages, but not all mail types, so checking what will and won't forward helps you avoid missing bills or important documents.
Key Takeaways
- The USPS online address change at usps.com is the fastest method and costs $1.10, taking effect in three to five business days.
- You can also submit a paper PS Form 3575 in person at your local post office or request one by phone at 1-800-275-8777.
- The post office forwards mail for 12 months, but not all mail types forward automatically—contact your bank, employer, and other regular senders directly.
- Your address change does not affect your voter registration, driver's license, or vehicle registration; you must update those separately with your state.
Using the USPS online form at usps.com
Go to usps.com and click "Change of Address" in the top navigation menu. You will see three options: move to a new address, move back to a previous address, or set up a temporary address hold. Select the option that matches your situation. If you are moving permanently, choose "Move to a new address."
Enter your current address exactly as it appears on mail you receive, including apartment or unit numbers. Then enter your new address. The form asks for the date you want the change to take effect—this should be the date you move or the date you want forwarding to begin. You will need to provide an email address and phone number so USPS can contact you if there are questions.
At the end, you pay $1.10 by credit or debit card. USPS will send you a confirmation email with a receipt number. Keep this number in case you need to check the status of your change or contact USPS about it. The change takes effect in three to five business days.
Submitting a paper form at your post office
Walk into any post office and ask for PS Form 3575, the official change of address form. The form is free. Fill in your current address, new address, and the date you want the change to take effect. You do not need to provide an email or phone number on the paper form, though the post office may ask for one.
Hand the completed form to the postal clerk. You will pay $1.10 at the counter. The clerk will give you a receipt. Processing takes the same three to five business days as the online form. Some post offices are busier than others, so going early in the morning or on a weekday afternoon usually means a shorter wait.
Requesting a form by mail or phone
If you do not have internet access or prefer not to visit a post office, call 1-800-275-8777 and ask for PS Form 3575 to be mailed to you. Provide your current address so they know where to send it. The form arrives in about a week. Fill it out, mail it back to your local post office, and include a check or money order for $1.10 payable to the U.S. Postal Service.
This method takes longer than the online form or in-person submission because of mailing time in both directions. Use this option only if you have no other way to submit the change and can wait two to three weeks for the change to take effect.
What mail forwards and what does not
First-class mail (letters, bills, statements) forwards automatically for 12 months. Magazines and newspapers forward for 60 days. Packages from retailers usually forward if they are sent first-class, but packages sent by other carriers (UPS, FedEx, Amazon Logistics) do not forward through USPS and will be returned to the sender or left at your old address.
Certified mail, registered mail, and mail requiring a signature do not forward. Bulk mail and advertisements do not forward. If you are expecting any of these types of mail, contact the sender directly and give them your new address before you move. Government mail (tax documents, Social Security statements, court notices) may not forward, so notify those agencies separately.
Notifying banks, employers, and other important senders
Do not rely on USPS forwarding for critical mail. Contact your bank, credit card companies, insurance companies, and employer directly with your new address. Most banks let you update your address online through their website or mobile app. Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card to update that address.
Update your address with the IRS, Social Security Administration, your state's motor vehicle department, and your voter registration office. These agencies do not use USPS forwarding. If you receive regular bills by mail—utilities, internet, phone—contact those companies and provide your new address. The same applies to any subscription services, memberships, or medical providers.
Make a list of every company or organization that has your address on file. Go through it before you move and update each one. This takes an hour or two but prevents missed bills, late fees, and lost documents.
Temporary address holds and returning to a previous address
If you are moving temporarily—for example, staying with family for three months while your new home is being prepared—you can set up a temporary hold instead of a permanent change. On the USPS website or paper form, select "Temporary address hold" and enter the dates. Mail will hold at your local post office for pickup, or you can arrange for it to go to a temporary address.
If you moved away but want to return to your previous address, you can set up a change back. Go to usps.com, select "Move back to a previous address," and enter the address you are returning to. This costs the same $1.10 and takes three to five business days to take effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my address with the post office update my driver's license or voter registration?
No. The post office change only affects mail forwarding. You must update your driver's license through your state's motor vehicle department, your voter registration through your county or state election office, and your vehicle registration separately. These are three different processes with different agencies.
What happens to mail that arrives at my old address after I move?
If the sender used your old address and the mail arrives within 12 months of your change, USPS will forward it to your new address. If it arrives after 12 months, or if the sender's address is incorrect, the mail may be returned to the sender or discarded. This is why notifying senders directly is important for ongoing bills and statements.
Can I change my address if I do not have a permanent home yet?
Yes. You can use a temporary address—a friend's house, a relative's address, a mailbox service, or a shelter address—as your new address on the form. You can also set up a temporary hold to have mail held at your post office for pickup. Contact your local post office to discuss options if you are experiencing housing instability.
How much does it cost to change my address?
The fee is $1.10 whether you change your address online, in person, or by mail. This is a one-time fee that covers the address change for 12 months of forwarding. There are no additional charges.
Can someone else change my address for me?
No. USPS requires the person whose address is changing to submit the form themselves, either online or in person with a photo ID. This prevents unauthorized address changes. If you are unable to go to the post office, you can submit the online form from any computer or phone.