The fastest way is online through USPS.com, which takes about five minutes and costs $1.10

The United States Postal Service (USPS) lets you change your address through their website without visiting a post office. Go to USPS.com, find the "Change of Address" tool under the "Mail & Packages" section, and enter your old address, new address, and the date you want the change to take effect. You pay $1.10 with a debit or credit card, and the change is active within one business day.

If you prefer to do it in person, walk into any post office with a completed PS Form 3575 (the official change-of-address form) and a photo ID. The form is free and available at the post office or online. There is no fee for the in-person method. Processing takes the same amount of time — one business day — but you do not need to pay online.

USPS will forward your mail to your new address for 12 months. After that, mail sent to your old address will be returned to the sender marked "moved, left no address." If you think you will need forwarding longer than a year, you can renew it before the 12 months end by going back to USPS.com or returning to the post office.

Key Takeaways

  • The online method at USPS.com costs $1.10 and takes about five minutes; the in-person method at any post office is free but requires a trip.
  • Your mail will forward to your new address for 12 months from the date you set the change to take effect.
  • You need a photo ID for the in-person method, and either a debit or credit card for the online method.
  • Mail forwarding begins one business day after USPS processes your request, whether you submit it online or in person.
  • After 12 months, mail sent to your old address will be returned to the sender; you can renew forwarding before that important date expires.

What information you need before you start

Have your old address and new address written down or ready to type. USPS will ask for both in full, including apartment or unit numbers if they explore. You also need to know the date you want the forwarding to begin — this can be today or any date up to 30 days in the future.

If you are using the online method, have a debit or credit card ready. If you are going in person, bring a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card). The post office will not process a change-of-address form without one.

Changing your address online step by step

Go to USPS.com and look for the "Change of Address" link. It is usually under "Mail & Packages" near the top of the page. Click it and select "Start" or "Begin Now" — the exact wording changes, but the button is obvious.

Enter your current address exactly as it appears on mail you receive now. If you live in an apartment, include the apartment number. Then enter your new address the same way. Choose the date you want forwarding to start — you can pick today or any day within the next 30 days.

Review the information for accuracy. Mistakes here mean mail will go to the wrong place. Once you confirm, you will be asked to pay $1.10 with a debit or credit card. After payment goes through, USPS sends you a confirmation email. Save this email or take a screenshot — it contains a confirmation number you can use to check the status of your change later.

Changing your address in person at the post office

Pick up a PS Form 3575 at any post office, or print one from USPS.com before you go. Fill in your old address, new address, and the date you want forwarding to start. Sign and date the form. Bring it to the post office along with your photo ID.

Hand the form and your ID to the postal worker. They will check that everything is filled out correctly and process it on the spot. There is no fee. You will receive a receipt with a confirmation number. Keep this receipt in case you need to check on the status of your change or renew it later.

The in-person method works the same way as the online method — your mail starts forwarding one business day after the post office processes the form. You do not have to wait in line or come back; the change is complete when you leave.

What happens after you submit your change

USPS begins forwarding mail one business day after your requested start date. If you submit online on a Monday and choose Monday as your start date, forwarding begins on Tuesday. If you choose a future date, forwarding begins the day after that date arrives.

Mail addressed to your old address will be forwarded to your new address for 12 months. Packages, magazines, and first-class mail all forward. Some mail does not forward — including mail marked "do not forward," mail from government agencies (like tax refunds), and mail from banks or credit card companies (these usually require a separate address change with each institution).

You should still notify important senders of your new address directly: your employer, banks, insurance companies, subscription services, and any government agencies you deal with. Mail forwarding is a safety net, not a replacement for telling people where you moved.

Renewing or canceling your mail forwarding

If you want forwarding to continue past 12 months, go back to USPS.com or return to the post office before your 12-month period ends. You can renew for another 12 months using the same method you used to set up the original change. The online renewal costs $1.10; the in-person renewal is free.

If you want to stop forwarding before the 12 months end, you can cancel it. Go to USPS.com, find the change-of-address tool, and select the option to cancel. You can also visit the post office and ask them to cancel your forwarding. There is no fee to cancel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my address if I do not have a photo ID?

Not for the in-person method — USPS requires a photo ID to process a change-of-address form in person. If you do not have one, use the online method instead. You will need a debit or credit card, but no ID.

What if I made a mistake on my change-of-address form?

If you submitted online, cancel the change through USPS.com and submit a new one with the correct information. You will pay $1.10 again. If you submitted in person, return to the post office with your receipt and ask them to correct it — they can usually fix it without charging you again.

Does mail forwarding work for packages?

Yes. Packages, letters, and magazines all forward to your new address for the 12-month period. The only mail that does not forward is mail marked "do not forward," mail from government agencies, and some mail from financial institutions.

How long does it take for mail forwarding to start?

Forwarding begins one business day after your requested start date. If you submit the change on a Monday and choose Monday as the start date, forwarding begins on Tuesday. Weekends and federal holidays do not count as business days.

Can I change my address for just part of my mail?

No. A change-of-address request forwards all mail sent to your old address to your new address. You cannot forward only certain types of mail or mail from certain senders. You have to notify individual companies directly if you want to change your address with them only.