The fastest way to change your address with USPS

You can change your address with the United States Postal Service through USPS.com, by mail, or in person at your local post office. The online method through USPS.com takes about 10 minutes and costs $1.10. You will need a credit or debit card, and USPS will send you a confirmation email within one business day. If you prefer not to go online, you can fill out Form 3575 and bring it to your post office, or mail it in — this takes longer but costs nothing.

Your mail forwarding starts on the date you choose during the process, not the date you submit the request. You can set it to begin up to 30 days in the future. Standard forwarding lasts for 12 months, though you can renew it before it expires. If you move frequently or want a shorter period, USPS also offers 60-day and 120-day options at lower cost.

Key Takeaways

  • The online method at USPS.com costs $1.10, takes 10 minutes, and requires a credit or debit card to complete.
  • You can mail Form 3575 to your local post office for free, but the process takes one to two weeks longer than online submission.
  • Your forwarding begins on the date you select, which can be up to 30 days in the future, not on the date you submit the request.
  • Standard forwarding lasts 12 months; you can renew before expiration or choose a shorter 60-day or 120-day period if you prefer.
  • USPS forwards mail to your new address but does not automatically update your address with banks, employers, or government agencies — you must contact them separately.

Changing your address online at USPS.com

Go to USPS.com and click "Change of Address" in the top menu. You will land on the page for USPS Informed Delivery and mail forwarding services. Click the button labeled "Start the Change of Address Process" — this takes you to the actual submission form. You do not need a USPS account to begin, but you will create one or log in if you already have one.

Fill in your current address, the new address where you want mail sent, and your name as it appears on your mail. Select the date you want forwarding to start — this can be today or any date up to 30 days ahead. Choose your forwarding length: 12 months ($1.10), 120 days ($0.55), or 60 days ($0.55). Enter your credit or debit card information and submit. USPS will send a confirmation email to the address you provide; check your spam folder if you do not see it within a few hours.

After you submit online, your forwarding is active. You do not need to do anything else with USPS. However, USPS only forwards mail addressed to you at your old address — it does not change your address in any other system. You will need to contact your bank, employer, insurance company, and any government agencies separately to update your address with them.

Submitting Form 3575 by mail or in person

Form 3575 is the official USPS Change of Address form. You can read it from USPS.com, pick one up at your local post office, or request one by mail. Fill it out completely: your current address, new address, name, phone number, and the date you want forwarding to begin. Sign and date the form. If you are changing the address for your entire household, you can list multiple names on one form.

To submit by mail, send the completed form to your local post office. Look up your post office address on USPS.com by entering your ZIP code. Mail takes one to two weeks to arrive and be processed. To submit in person, take the form to your local post office during business hours — a clerk will process it on the spot, though forwarding still does not begin until the date you specified on the form.

The mail-in method is free, but the processing time is longer than online submission. If you need forwarding to start within a few days, submit online instead. If you are not in a hurry and want to avoid the $1.10 fee, the mail-in route works fine — just plan for a two-week delay before forwarding begins.

What happens to mail after you change your address

Once your forwarding is active, USPS will deliver mail addressed to your old address to your new one. This includes first-class mail, magazines, and packages. Forwarding is not automatic for all mail types — some bulk mail and packages sent through certain carriers may not be forwarded. If a sender uses an outdated address, the mail may be returned to them as undeliverable rather than forwarded to you.

Your forwarding lasts for the period you chose: 12 months, 120 days, or 60 days. When it expires, mail sent to your old address will no longer be forwarded. USPS will send you a reminder email before your forwarding expires, giving you time to renew if you want to keep it active. You can renew online or by mail using the same process.

Forwarding does not change your address anywhere except at USPS. Your bank, credit card companies, insurance providers, employer, and government agencies still have your old address on file. You must contact each one separately to update your address. Start with the most important ones — your bank, employer, and any government benefits you receive — and work through the others over the next few weeks.

Common mistakes to avoid when changing your address

The most common mistake is assuming USPS will update your address with other organizations. USPS only forwards mail; it does not notify your bank, insurance company, or the IRS. If you do not update your address with them, important documents like tax forms, bank statements, and insurance notices will still go to your old address. Set aside time to contact each organization after you submit your address change to USPS.

Another mistake is not selecting the correct start date. If you choose a date in the future and then move before that date, mail sent to your old address during the gap will not be forwarded. If you are moving soon, set the start date to today or tomorrow, not weeks ahead. You can always renew later if you need forwarding to continue.

Some people forget to update their address with the post office if they move again within the forwarding period. If you move a second time while your first forwarding is still active, you need to submit a new change of address form. The old forwarding does not automatically update to your newest address.

Changing your address for a business or apartment building

If you run a business or manage an apartment building, the process is slightly different. For a business, you can submit a change of address for your business name and address. Go to USPS.com and select "Business" when you start the change of address process. You will need to provide your business name, current business address, and new business address. The cost and timeline are the same as for residential addresses.

For an apartment building or rental property, you cannot submit one change of address for all tenants. Each tenant must submit their own change of address form with their individual name. If you are a property manager helping tenants, you can provide them with the link to USPS.com or give them Form 3575 to fill out themselves. Some property managers print blank forms and leave them in the office for tenants to use.

What to do if your address change does not work

If mail is still arriving at your old address after your forwarding start date has passed, first check your confirmation email to make sure the forwarding was actually submitted. Look for the confirmation number — this proves USPS received your request. If you do not have a confirmation email, your submission may not have gone through. Try submitting again online or visit your local post office with your confirmation number if you have one.

If your forwarding is confirmed but mail is still not being forwarded, contact USPS Customer Service at 1-800-275-8777. Have your confirmation number ready. They can check whether your forwarding is active and troubleshoot why mail is not being forwarded. Sometimes mail sent before your forwarding start date will not be forwarded — only mail that arrives after your start date is may be able to access.

If you submitted your change of address more than 30 days ago and forwarding has expired, you will need to renew it. You can renew online at USPS.com or by submitting Form 3575 again. Renewal costs the same as the original change of address.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can submit Form 3575 by mail or in person at your local post office for free. This avoids the $1.10 online fee and does not require a credit card. The trade-off is that processing takes one to two weeks instead of one business day. If you need forwarding to start within a few days, you may need to visit your post office in person to speed up processing.

What if I move again before my forwarding expires?

You will need to submit a new change of address form for your second move. Your first forwarding does not automatically update to your newest address. Submit the new form with your second address as the destination. You can do this online or by mail. If your first forwarding period is still active, you may be able to cancel it and start a new one instead of paying for both.

Does USPS forwarding work for packages?

Most packages are forwarded, but not all. First-class packages and Priority Mail packages are forwarded. Some packages sent through other carriers or marked "Do Not Forward" will not be forwarded and may be returned to the sender. If you are expecting a package at your old address, contact the sender and ask them to use your new address instead of relying on forwarding.

How long does it take for USPS to process a change of address?

Online submissions are processed within one business day, and forwarding begins on the date you selected. Mail-in submissions take one to two weeks to arrive and be processed. In-person submissions at your post office are processed when ready, but forwarding still does not begin until the date you specified on the form.

Can I change my address for just one person in my household?

Yes. Submit a change of address form with only that person's name. Other household members will continue to receive mail at the old address unless they submit their own change of address forms. If everyone in the household is moving, you can list all names on one form or submit separate forms for each person.