The fastest way to change your address at USPS

You can change your address with the United States Postal Service in person at your local post office, by mail, or online through the USPS website. The online method is fastest — it takes about 10 minutes and costs $1.10. You will need a valid government ID and a credit or debit card. The change takes effect within three to five business days, though some mail carriers begin forwarding sooner.

If you prefer not to go online, you can fill out Form 3575 at your post office and submit it in person. This takes the same amount of time to process. You can also mail the completed form to your local post office, but this adds several days to the timeline since the form has to arrive and be processed by hand.

Do not rely on telling your mail carrier in person — that is not an official change and will not be recorded in the system. Your mail carrier can help you find the form or direct you to the online option, but the change must go through USPS records.

Key Takeaways

  • The USPS online address change at usps.com takes 10 minutes, costs $1.10, and is effective within three to five business days.
  • You need a valid government ID and a credit or debit card to change your address online or in person.
  • Form 3575 is the official paper form; you can submit it at your post office or mail it, though mailing adds processing time.
  • USPS forwards mail to your new address for 12 months at no extra cost once your change is recorded.
  • Notify your bank, employer, insurance company, and other important contacts separately — USPS forwarding does not reach them automatically.

Changing your address online at USPS.com

Go to usps.com and click "Manage My Mail" in the top navigation. Select "Change of Address" from the menu. You will be asked to enter your current address, new address, and the date you want the change to start. USPS recommends submitting the change at least two weeks before you move, but you can submit it up to 30 days after moving.

Next, you will confirm your identity. USPS will ask you to provide a valid government ID number (driver's license, state ID, or passport) and answer security questions based on your credit history. This step takes a few minutes. Once verified, you will pay $1.10 with a credit or debit card. You will receive a confirmation number by email — save this in case you need to check the status of your change later.

The change is not when ready. USPS processes online submissions and updates its system within three to five business days. During this time, some mail may still arrive at your old address. The 12-month mail forwarding period begins on the date you selected, not the date you submitted the form.

Submitting Form 3575 in person at the post office

Visit your local post office and ask for Form 3575, the official change of address form. A postal clerk will give you the form and can answer questions while you fill it out. The form asks for your current address, new address, the date the change should start, and your signature. You will also need to show a valid government ID.

The clerk will process the form on the spot and give you a receipt with a confirmation number. Processing takes the same three to five business days as the online method, and there is no fee when you submit in person. This is a good option if you do not have a credit card, prefer to handle it face-to-face, or want to ask questions about mail forwarding before you submit.

Mailing Form 3575 to your post office

You can read Form 3575 from usps.com or pick up a copy at any post office. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and make a copy for your records. Mail the original form to your local post office — the address is on the form itself. Include a copy of your government ID (front and back) with the form.

This method is slower because the form has to travel through the mail and then be processed by hand at your post office. Plan for at least one to two weeks of mailing time, plus the standard three to five business days for processing. You will not receive a confirmation number this way, so keep your copy of the form and ID in case you need to follow up. Only use this method if you cannot visit the post office or submit online.

What happens after you submit your change

Once your change is recorded in the USPS system, mail addressed to your old address will be forwarded to your new address for 12 months at no extra cost. The forwarding is automatic — you do not need to do anything else. However, some mail may still arrive at your old address during the first few days while the system updates, especially if it was already in transit.

After 12 months, forwarding stops. If you move again before the 12 months are up, you can submit a new change of address form, and the forwarding period resets. If you stay at your new address beyond 12 months, mail will stop being forwarded and will be returned to the sender or marked as undeliverable.

USPS forwarding does not notify banks, insurance companies, employers, subscription services, or government agencies. You must contact these organizations separately and provide your new address. Check your important documents and bills to find all the places that have your address on file.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not assume your mail carrier will forward mail if you just tell them in person. The change must be recorded in the USPS system through an official form or the online portal. Telling your carrier is helpful for their planning, but it does not create a forwarding order.

Do not forget to notify your bank, employer, and other important contacts. USPS forwarding only works for mail sent to your old address — it does not change your address in any company's database. If your bank sends a statement to your old address and it gets forwarded, that works, but if they have your old address on file and send something to a different location, forwarding will not help.

Do not submit multiple change of address forms for the same move. If you submit online and then also submit Form 3575 in person, USPS may process both, which can cause confusion. Submit once through your preferred method and wait for confirmation.

If you need to cancel or change your address change

If you submitted your change online and need to cancel it before it takes effect, log back into usps.com with the same ID you used to submit the change. You can cancel the request up to one business day before the effective date. If you submitted Form 3575 in person or by mail, visit your post office with your confirmation number and ask them to cancel the request. Cancellations are free.

If your change has already taken effect and you need to update your address again, submit a new change of address form. USPS will process the new form and update your forwarding address. The new forwarding period will start on the date you specify in the new form.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for my address change to start working?

USPS processes address changes within three to five business days. During this time, some mail may still arrive at your old address. Once the change is active, mail forwarding begins on the date you selected, not the date you submitted the form. If you submitted the change before moving, forwarding will not start until that date arrives.

Do I have to pay to change my address?

The online method costs $1.10 and requires a credit or debit card. Submitting Form 3575 in person at the post office is free. Mailing the form is also free, though you will pay for postage to mail it. Mail forwarding itself is free for the first 12 months.

What if I move again before 12 months are up?

Submit a new change of address form for your new address. USPS will update your forwarding address and the 12-month forwarding period will start over from the new effective date. Your old forwarding order will be replaced by the new one.

Will my address change reach my bank and insurance company?

No. USPS forwarding only redirects physical mail sent to your old address. You must contact your bank, insurance company, employer, and other organizations separately to update your address in their systems. Check your bills and statements to find all the places that have your address on file.

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

You need a valid government ID to change your address online or in person at the post office. If you do not have one, you can explore for a state ID at your local DMV. Some post offices may accept other forms of identification — call ahead to ask what they will accept.