What You Need to Do to Change Your Address
You can change your mailing address at the post office by filling out a form called the Postal Service Form 3575, either in person at your local post office or online through USPS.com. The in-person route takes about 10 minutes; the online route takes about 5 minutes and costs $1.10. Both methods forward your mail to your new address for up to 12 months, though you can end the forward earlier if you want.
The post office does not automatically update your address just because you moved. You have to tell them. Mail carriers deliver to the address on the envelope, not to where you live now, so without a change of address on file, mail sent to your old address will either sit in a mail bin or be returned to the sender.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your address online at USPS.com for $1.10, or in person at any post office for the same fee, and the change takes effect within three to five business days.
- Mail forwarding lasts up to 12 months, so you will need to update your address with banks, employers, and subscription services separately if you want mail to stop coming to your old address after the forward ends.
- Bring a photo ID and proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days) when you go in person.
- If you are moving to a new address within the same ZIP code, the post office may deliver mail to your old address by mistake during the first week, so watch for stray pieces.
Changing Your Address Online
Go to USPS.com and click "Change of Address" in the top menu. You will see a button that says "Start" — click it. The form asks for your current address, your new address, the date you want the forward to start, and your email address. You do not need to list every person in your household; one change of address covers the whole household.
After you submit the form and pay $1.10 with a debit or credit card, USPS sends a confirmation email. The forward takes effect within three to five business days. If you need to cancel the forward before the 12 months are up, you can do that online too — go back to USPS.com, click "Manage Your Change of Address," and follow the prompts.
The online method works best if you are moving within the United States and you have a credit or debit card. If you do not have a card or you are moving to a military address overseas, you will need to go in person.
Changing Your Address in Person at the Post Office
Walk into any post office and ask for a change of address form. The clerk will hand you Form 3575 and a pen. Fill in your current address, your new address, and the date you want the forward to start. Sign and date the form. Hand it back to the clerk with a photo ID and proof of your new address.
Proof of your new address can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The name on the proof does not have to match your ID exactly — the post office is looking for evidence that you actually live there, not a perfect match. Pay $1.10 in cash or card. The clerk will give you a receipt. The forward takes effect within three to five business days.
If you are moving with a spouse or partner and both of you have different last names, you can both sign the same form. If you are moving with children or roommates, one form covers everyone at that address.
What Happens to Mail Sent to Your Old Address
Once your forward is active, mail addressed to your old address will be forwarded to your new address automatically. The post office stamps it with a forwarding label so you can see where it came from. This works for regular mail, magazines, and some packages, though some shippers (especially Amazon and other online retailers) may not honor the forward and will return the package to the sender instead.
The forward lasts 12 months. After 12 months, mail sent to your old address will no longer be forwarded — it will either be returned to the sender or held at your old post office. If you know you will stay at your new address longer than a year, you do not need to do anything; the forward will straightforward expire. If you move again before 12 months are up, you can set up a new forward from your new address.
Mail forwarding does not cover packages sent to your old address by retailers who use their own delivery services. Update your address with Amazon, online banks, subscription boxes, and other services directly so they ship to your new address instead.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake is assuming the post office knows you moved. They do not. If you do not file a change of address, mail will keep going to your old address. The second mistake is forgetting to update your address with individual companies — the post office forward is temporary and covers only mail sent through USPS, not packages from retailers or mail from services that use private carriers.
Do not write your new address on envelopes and hope the mail carrier figures it out. The post office sorts mail by the address on the envelope, not by what you write on the back. If you are moving within the same ZIP code, double-check that you entered your new address correctly on the form — mail carriers sometimes misread similar addresses and deliver to the old one by mistake during the first week.
If you pay the $1.10 fee online but then move before the forward starts, you can cancel it and get a refund through USPS.com. If you paid in person, ask the clerk about the refund policy at that location — some offices will refund it, others will not.
If You Move to a Military or Overseas Address
Military addresses (APO, DPO, FPO) and overseas addresses cannot be set up through the online form. You must go in person to a post office and fill out Form 3575 by hand. Bring your photo ID and a document showing your military assignment or overseas residence. The process is the same as a domestic move, and the $1.10 fee still applies.
If you are moving to a country outside the United States and you do not have a military address, the post office may not be able to forward mail there. Ask the clerk whether forwarding is available to your destination country before you pay the fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for the change of address to start working?
The forward takes effect within three to five business days after you submit the form, whether you do it online or in person. During those first few days, mail may still arrive at your old address. If you are expecting important mail, contact the sender and give them your new address directly.
Do I have to change my address if I am only moving temporarily?
If you are moving for less than a month, you do not need to file a change of address. If you are moving for a month or longer, it is worth the $1.10 to set up the forward so you do not miss bills or important documents. You can cancel the forward early if you move back sooner than expected.
What if I do not have proof of my new address yet?
If you are moving into a new place and do not have a utility bill or lease in your name yet, ask the landlord or property manager for a signed letter on company letterhead confirming your move-in date and address. Some post offices will accept that in place of a utility bill. Call your local post office before you go in to ask what documents they will take.
Can I change my address for just one person in my household?
No. A change of address form covers everyone living at that address. If one person in your household is moving out and the others are staying, that person needs to set up their own forward to their new address, but the household forward cannot be split.
What if mail keeps arriving at my old address after the forward starts?
Some mail may still arrive at your old address if the sender has outdated information or if the mail was already in the system before your forward took effect. If you are still receiving important mail there, contact the sender directly and give them your new address. After 12 months, the forward expires and all mail to your old address will stop being forwarded.