The fastest way to change your address is online through USPS.com, which takes about five minutes and costs nothing

You can change your mailing address without visiting a post office. The United States Postal Service (USPS) runs an online service called USPS Change of Address at usps.com. You enter your old address, new address, and the date you want the change to take effect. The USPS then forwards mail sent to your old address to your new one for a set period. The whole process happens on their website, and you pay a small fee—currently $1.10 for online changes—using a credit or debit card.

If you prefer to change your address in person, you can visit any post office and fill out Form 3811, the official change-of-address form. A postal worker will help you complete it, and you can pay the fee right there. This method takes longer because you have to travel to the post office and wait in line, but some people prefer handling it face-to-face.

Mail forwarding does not happen when ready. Once you submit your change, it usually takes three to five business days for the USPS to start forwarding your mail. During that gap, mail sent to your old address may still arrive there, so notify important senders—banks, employers, insurance companies—of your new address directly rather than relying only on forwarding.

Key Takeaways

  • USPS Change of Address online at usps.com is the fastest method and costs $1.10 for a permanent address change.
  • Mail forwarding takes three to five business days to begin after you submit your change, so notify important senders directly.
  • You can also visit your local post office with Form 3811 to change your address in person and pay the fee there.
  • Forwarding lasts for 12 months if you set it up online; in-person changes at the post office can be set for shorter or longer periods depending on your needs.
  • The USPS forwards mail only—they do not update your address in government databases, bank records, or other organizations' systems.

What happens to mail sent to your old address

When you set up mail forwarding, the USPS intercepts letters and packages addressed to your old location and sends them to your new one. This forwarding is not automatic for every piece of mail. First-class mail, packages, and magazines are forwarded. However, some mail classes—like standard mail or bulk mail—are not forwarded, so those pieces straightforward stay at your old address or are returned to the sender.

Forwarding lasts for 12 months if you set it up online. If you change your address at the post office in person, you can request a shorter period (as little as 30 days) or a longer one. After the forwarding period ends, mail sent to your old address goes back to the sender or is treated as undeliverable.

You should still contact important organizations directly. Banks, insurance companies, employers, government agencies, and subscription services do not automatically learn about your move. If you rely only on USPS forwarding and a piece of mail is not forwarded for any reason, you might miss a bill, tax document, or legal notice. Updating your address with these organizations directly takes a few minutes per account but prevents problems.

Changing your address online at USPS.com

Go to usps.com and look for the "Change of Address" link, usually found in the "Mail & Shipping" section. You will need your old address, your new address, and the date you want the change to take effect. You can choose to start forwarding when ready or pick a future date—useful if you know you are moving on a specific day but have not left yet.

The USPS will ask for a phone number and email address to confirm your identity. They may also ask security questions based on your credit history to verify you are the person who lives at that address. This step prevents someone else from redirecting your mail. Once you pass the identity check, you pay the $1.10 fee with a credit or debit card, and your change is submitted.

You will receive a confirmation email with a receipt number. Keep this for your records. The USPS does not mail you a paper confirmation, so the email is your proof that you submitted the change. If you need to cancel or modify your change of address within a certain window, you can do so through the same website using your receipt number.

Changing your address in person at the post office

Visit your local post office during business hours and ask for Form 3811, the Change of Address form. A postal worker will hand you the form and can answer questions while you fill it out. You will write your old address, new address, the date the change should take effect, and sign the form. You can also provide an email address if you want a confirmation sent to you.

The fee is the same as online—currently $1.10—and you pay it at the counter when you submit the form. Some post offices accept cash, check, or card; confirm what payment methods they take before you go. The postal worker will give you a receipt with a confirmation number.

One advantage of the in-person method is that you can request a forwarding period shorter or longer than the standard 12 months. If you are moving temporarily or know you will move again soon, you can set forwarding for just 30 days. If you want mail forwarded longer, you can request that too, though the standard online option is fixed at 12 months.

What the USPS does not change for you

Mail forwarding changes only where the USPS delivers your mail. It does not update your address anywhere else. Your driver's license, voter registration, bank accounts, insurance policies, tax records, and subscription services all have your address stored separately. You must contact each one individually to update your information.

If you do not update your address with your bank, for example, they will continue sending statements and notices to your old address. Those pieces may be forwarded by the USPS, but if they are not, you will miss important financial information. The same applies to the IRS, your employer, your insurance company, and any government agencies that have your address on file.

A useful strategy is to make a list of organizations that have your address and update them in batches. Start with financial institutions and government agencies, then move to utilities, subscriptions, and retailers. Many allow you to update your address online through their website or app, which is faster than calling or visiting in person.

How long forwarding takes and what to expect

After you submit your change of address—whether online or in person—the USPS needs three to five business days to process it and update their systems. During those days, mail sent to your old address may still be delivered there. This is why you should notify important senders of your new address before or when ready after you move, rather than waiting for forwarding to kick in.

Once forwarding is active, mail takes a few extra days to reach you because it has to be collected at your old address, sorted, and sent to your new one. A letter that normally arrives in two days might take four or five days after forwarding begins. Packages are usually forwarded faster than regular mail.

If you do not receive mail you were expecting, check your spam folder for the confirmation email from USPS, and verify that your new address was entered correctly. If you made a typo, you can cancel the change and submit a new one. You can also contact your local post office to ask whether a specific piece of mail has been forwarded or is still at your old address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my address if I do not have a credit card for the online fee?

Yes. Visit your local post office and pay the $1.10 fee in cash, check, or debit card at the counter when you submit Form 3811. You do not need a credit card to change your address in person.

What if I move again before my forwarding period ends?

You can submit a new change of address for your second move. The USPS will forward mail from your first address to your second address, then from your second address to your third address, but this chain only works for a limited time. It is simpler to cancel your first change of address and submit a new one for your actual final address if you have not lived at the intermediate address long.

Does the post office notify my bank or other companies when I change my address?

No. The USPS only forwards mail; they do not share your new address with banks, insurance companies, government agencies, or anyone else. You must contact those organizations directly to update your address in their systems.

Can someone else change my address for me?

Online, no—you must verify your identity yourself. In person, you can authorize someone else to submit Form 3811 on your behalf if you give them a signed, notarized letter granting them permission. Ask your local post office what documentation they require.

What if I change my mind after submitting my change of address?

You can cancel your change of address online using your receipt number, or by visiting the post office with your confirmation. You have a window of time to cancel, though the exact length varies. Contact your local post office or check your confirmation email for the important date.