The Post Office handles mail forwarding, but you need to notify banks, employers, and subscriptions separately

Changing your mailing address is not one action — it is several. The United States Postal Service (USPS) can forward your mail to a new address for up to 12 months, but that does not automatically update your address with your bank, insurance company, employer, or subscription services. You need to contact each one directly. The USPS step takes about a week to set up and costs money if you do it online or at a post office window. Doing it yourself by mail is free but slower.

Start with USPS because mail forwarding is the foundation — everything else depends on it working while you update individual accounts. Then work through your financial accounts, government records, and regular services. The order matters because some organizations will not process an address change without verification, and having mail forwarding active gives you a safety net while you sort it out.

Key Takeaways

  • USPS mail forwarding takes about a week to start and lasts up to 12 months, but you must set it up separately from notifying individual companies.
  • You can start USPS forwarding online at usps.com, at a post office window, or by mail using Form 3575, with costs ranging from free to $1.10 depending on the method.
  • Banks, credit card companies, insurance providers, and employers require separate notification and often need proof of your new address before processing the change.
  • Government agencies like the Social Security Administration, IRS, and your state's DMV each have their own address-change process and timelines.
  • Subscription services, utilities, and medical providers should be updated within the first two weeks to avoid missed bills or delayed mail.

Setting up USPS mail forwarding online or at the post office

The fastest way to start forwarding is through USPS.com. Go to the Postal Service's website, select "Mail & Packages," then "Change of Address." You will enter your old address, new address, the date you want forwarding to begin, and whether this is a permanent move or temporary. You will also provide an email address and phone number. USPS charges $1.10 for online submission and processes it within one business day, though mail forwarding itself takes about a week to set up.

If you prefer to do it in person, visit your local post office with a photo ID and proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days works. The clerk will fill out Form 3575 with you and charge $1.10. If you want to avoid the fee, you can mail Form 3575 to your current post office yourself, but this takes longer because the form has to arrive, be processed, and then forwarding has to start.

Mail forwarding lasts 12 months for a permanent move. After that, mail addressed to your old address will be returned to the sender. If you move again within that year, you can set up a second forwarding order from your new address to your next address, and USPS will chain them together.

Updating your bank and credit card companies

Contact your bank and each credit card issuer directly — do not assume they share information. Most banks let you change your address online through their website or mobile app under account settings or profile information. Some require you to call a customer service number on the back of your card or visit a branch in person.

Have your account number ready and be prepared to answer security questions. Some banks will ask for proof of your new address before processing the change, especially if the new address is in a different state. A utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your new address usually satisfies this. If you are moving to a state where the bank does not operate, they may close your account or transfer it to a partner bank — ask about this when you call.

Update your address with your bank before you update it anywhere else, because banks use address changes as a fraud-detection tool. If someone tries to change your address and your bank sees it coming from a different location than your registered address, they may flag it as suspicious and block the change.

Notifying insurance companies and employers

Contact your auto, home, health, and life insurance companies separately. Most have online portals where you can update your address yourself, but some require a phone call or a form sent by mail. Your insurance rates may change based on your new address — home insurance especially can shift if you are moving to a different neighborhood or state with different risk profiles.

Tell your employer's human resources or payroll department about your address change so your paychecks, tax forms, and benefits mail reach you. If you receive direct deposit, your address change does not affect that, but your W-2 and 1099 forms will be mailed to your registered address at the end of the year. Update this within your first week at a new job or when ready if you move while employed.

If you have a 401(k), pension, or other retirement account through your employer, confirm that the address on file there matches your new address. Some plans mail statements or required notices, and missing those can have tax consequences.

Updating government records: Social Security, IRS, and DMV

The Social Security Administration does not require you to report an address change, but updating your record prevents delays if you need to contact them or if they need to contact you. You can update your address online at ssa.gov using your personal my Social Security account, or by visiting a local Social Security office with proof of identity and your new address.

The IRS will use your address on your most recent tax return. If you file taxes before moving, use your old address. If you move after filing, you can update your address on the IRS website through your online account, by calling 800-829-1040, or by filing Form 8822 and mailing it to the IRS. The IRS processes address changes slowly — allow six to eight weeks.

Your state DMV requires an address update for your driver's license and vehicle registration. Most states let you update your address online through the DMV website, but some require you to visit in person or mail in a form. Check your state's DMV website for the specific process. You will need to renew your license or registration at your next renewal anyway, but updating sooner prevents mail from going to your old address.

Updating utilities, subscriptions, and medical providers

Contact your electric, gas, water, and internet providers to update your address. Most have online account portals where you can make this change yourself. Notify them at least two weeks before you move so they can schedule a final meter reading at your old address and set up service at your new one. If you do not update these, your final bill may go to your old address and you could miss the payment important date.

Update your address with any subscription services — streaming services, magazines, meal kits, software licenses. Most of these are online-only and do not mail anything, but updating ensures your billing address matches your actual location for fraud-detection purposes. Some services flag address changes as suspicious activity and may temporarily lock your account.

Notify your doctor, dentist, pharmacy, and any specialists you see regularly. Medical offices mail appointment reminders, test results, and insurance paperwork. If these go to your old address, you may miss appointments or not receive important health information. Call each office at least a week before you move.

What to do if mail still arrives at your old address

Even with USPS forwarding active, some mail will slip through — usually because the sender's address database is outdated or because the mail was sent before forwarding started. If you still have access to your old address or a trusted person there, ask them to write "Return to Sender — Forwarding Order on File" on any mail that arrives and put it back in the mailbox. USPS will re-route it.

If you no longer have access to your old address, contact the sender directly and provide your new address. Keep a list of companies that send you important mail — banks, insurance, government agencies, employers — and check in with them after two weeks to confirm they have your new address on file. Some will not process the change until you contact them directly, even if USPS is forwarding.

Do not ignore mail that arrives at your old address if it is financial or legal in nature. If you cannot retrieve it, contact the sender and ask them to resend statements or notices to your new address.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does USPS mail forwarding take to start?

Mail forwarding usually begins within one business day if you set it up online, but the actual forwarding of mail takes about a week. If you mail in Form 3575, add another week for the form to reach your post office and be processed. Plan to set up forwarding at least two weeks before you move.

Do I have to pay to change my address with USPS?

Online and in-person changes cost $1.10. Mailing Form 3575 yourself is free, but it takes longer. If you are moving multiple times in a year, each forwarding order costs $1.10.

What counts as proof of my new address?

USPS and most companies accept a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Some government agencies accept a notarized letter from a landlord or a signed lease. Ask the organization what they need before you submit anything.

Can I change my address if I do not have a permanent new address yet?

Yes. You can set up temporary forwarding for up to 12 months. If you move again before that period ends, you can set up a second forwarding order and USPS will chain them. For companies like banks, you can use a temporary address like a friend's or a mailbox service, then update again once you have a permanent address.

What happens to my mail after the 12-month forwarding period ends?

Mail addressed to your old address will be returned to the sender marked "Moved — Left No Address." This is why updating individual companies is important — they should be sending mail to your new address directly, not relying on USPS forwarding.