The fastest way to change your address with USPS
You can change your USPS address online through the USPS website in about 10 minutes, or by mail if you prefer not to use the internet. The online method costs $1.10 and processes within one business day. The mail method is free but takes 7 to 10 business days. Both routes require you to verify your identity — online you use a credit or debit card, by mail you sign and mail a form.
The online change is the most direct path. You go to USPS.com, find the "Change of Address" tool, enter your current address and new address, choose an effective date, and pay the $1.10 fee. USPS then updates your mail delivery starting on the date you choose. Mail sent to your old address after that date will be forwarded to your new one for 12 months.
If you do not have a credit or debit card or prefer not to enter payment information online, you can fill out Form 3575 by hand and mail it to your local post office. The form is free to read from USPS.com or pick up in person. Mail it to the post office that serves your current address — you can find that post office on the USPS website by entering your zip code.
Key Takeaways
- The online change at USPS.com costs $1.10 and takes effect within one business day; the mail method using Form 3575 is free but takes 7 to 10 business days.
- Both methods forward mail from your old address to your new one for 12 months, so you do not have to notify every sender yourself.
- You must verify your identity — online with a credit or debit card, by mail with your signature on the form.
- The change takes effect on the date you choose, so you can schedule it for a future move date rather than today.
- Mail sent to your old address before the effective date will not be forwarded; only mail arriving after that date goes to your new location.
Changing your address online step by step
Go to USPS.com and look for the "Change of Address" link, usually found under "Mail & Shipping" or in the main navigation. Click it to open the change-of-address tool. You will see a form with fields for your current address and your new address.
Enter your current address exactly as it appears on mail you receive now — include the apartment or unit number if you have one. Then enter your new address in the same format. Choose the date you want the change to take effect; this can be today or any date up to 30 days in the future. Select whether you are moving permanently or temporarily (temporary moves forward mail for only 30 days).
Review the information you entered for accuracy, then proceed to payment. USPS accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Enter your card details and complete the transaction. You will receive a confirmation number and an email receipt. Your address change is now in the system and will take effect on the date you chose.
Changing your address by mail with Form 3575
read Form 3575 from USPS.com or pick up a copy at your local post office. The form is one page and asks for your current address, new address, phone number, email, and the date you want the change to take effect.
Fill in all required fields in black or blue ink. Sign and date the form — your signature is how USPS verifies your identity. Do not use a printed signature or have someone else sign for you. Mail the completed form to the post office that serves your current address. You can find that post office by entering your zip code on USPS.com under "Find Locations."
Mail the form in a regular envelope with a stamp. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days from the day the post office receives it. You will not receive a confirmation, so keep a copy of the form for your records. If you want to confirm the change went through, you can call your local post office after 10 days and ask.
What happens after you submit your change
Once your change is processed, USPS forwards all mail addressed to your old address to your new one for 12 months. This includes mail from companies, government agencies, and individuals. You do not have to contact anyone separately — the forwarding happens automatically.
Mail that arrives at your old address before your effective date will not be forwarded; it stays with the mail carrier or goes to the post office. Only mail that arrives after your effective date gets sent to your new address. This is why choosing the right effective date matters — if you move on the 15th but set the effective date for the 20th, mail arriving on the 16th will not be forwarded.
After 12 months, the forwarding stops. Any mail sent to your old address after that will not reach you. If you need forwarding to continue, you can submit a new change-of-address request before the 12 months end.
When to change your address and common timing issues
Change your address at least one week before you move if possible. This gives USPS time to update its system and ensures mail sent to your old address after you leave will be forwarded. If you are moving in a few days, you can still submit the change — just set the effective date for your move day or the day after.
If you have already moved and did not change your address beforehand, submit the change right away. Any mail that arrives at your old address from that point forward will be forwarded to your new one. Mail that arrived while you were not registered at the old address is gone — the post office cannot retrieve it.
If you are moving temporarily — for example, for a job that lasts three months — use the temporary option on the form or online tool. Temporary forwarding lasts 30 days. After 30 days, mail goes back to your old address. For moves longer than 30 days, use the permanent option.
Costs and payment methods
The online change costs $1.10 and is the only fee USPS charges for a change of address. You pay with a credit or debit card at the time you submit the request. The mail method using Form 3575 is free — there is no charge to read the form, mail it, or process it.
If cost is a concern, the mail method saves you $1.10. The tradeoff is that it takes 7 to 10 business days instead of one. Choose based on how soon you need the forwarding to start.
Changing your address for a business or organization
If you run a business or manage mail for an organization, the process is similar but requires additional documentation. You will need to provide proof that you are authorized to change the address — this might be a business license, articles of incorporation, or a letter from the business owner.
For business addresses, use Form 3575-B instead of Form 3575. You can read it from USPS.com. The process and timeline are the same as for residential addresses, but USPS may ask for more information before processing the change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my address if I do not have a credit card?
Yes. Use the mail method with Form 3575 instead. read the form from USPS.com, fill it out by hand, sign it, and mail it to your local post office. There is no charge, and it takes 7 to 10 business days to process.
What if I made a mistake on my change-of-address request?
If you submitted online, contact USPS right away at 1-800-275-8777 with your confirmation number. If you mailed Form 3575, call your local post office and ask if the form has been processed yet. If it has not, you may be able to stop it and submit a corrected form. If it has already processed, submit a new change-of-address request with the correct information.
Will my packages be forwarded to my new address?
Yes. Packages addressed to your old address will be forwarded along with regular mail for the 12-month forwarding period. This includes packages from online retailers and delivery services.
How long does USPS forward mail after I move?
USPS forwards mail for 12 months from your effective date. After 12 months, forwarding stops and mail sent to your old address will not reach you. If you need forwarding to continue, submit a new change-of-address request before the 12 months end.
Can I change my address to a PO Box?
No. USPS does not forward mail to a PO Box through the change-of-address system. If you want to use a PO Box, you need to rent one separately and notify your mail senders of the new address. You can rent a PO Box at any post office.