You can file a change of address online, by mail, or in person at your local post office

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) lets you change your mailing address through three routes: their website at usps.com, a paper form at your post office, or in person at the counter. The online method is fastest and costs $1.10; the paper form costs the same but takes longer to process. In-person filing at the post office also costs $1.10 and is processed when ready. All three methods forward your mail to your new address for up to 12 months.

You will need your current address, your new address, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account for online; check or money order for mail). If you are filing in person, you can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. The change takes effect within three to five business days for online and in-person filings, and five to seven business days if you mail the form.

Key Takeaways

  • Filing online at usps.com is the fastest method and takes effect in three to five business days.
  • You will be charged $1.10 regardless of whether you file online, by mail, or in person.
  • Mail forwarding lasts for 12 months, after which your mail will return to the sender or be treated as undeliverable.
  • If you are moving with a business, you will need to file a separate change of address for that business address.
  • USPS will not forward packages from Amazon, UPS, or FedEx — only mail they deliver themselves.

Filing your change of address online

Go to usps.com and click "Change of Address" in the top navigation menu. You will land on a page with three options: "Move," "Seasonal," or "Business." Select "Move" for a permanent residential change. Enter your current address, your new address, and the date you want the forwarding to start. The start date can be today or up to 30 days in the future.

Next, enter your name, phone number, and email address. Review the information for accuracy — misspelled addresses are the most common reason forwarding fails. Pay the $1.10 fee with a credit card, debit card, or bank account information. You will receive a confirmation email when ready. Your forwarding will be active within three to five business days. USPS recommends checking your confirmation email for a tracking number so you can monitor the status.

Mailing a change of address form

Pick up Form 3575 (the official change of address form) at your local post office, or read it from usps.com. Fill in your current address, new address, and the date you want forwarding to begin. Sign and date the form. Include a check or money order for $1.10 made payable to "USPS." Do not send cash through the mail.

Mail the completed form to your local post office. You can find the address on usps.com by entering your ZIP code. Processing takes five to seven business days after the post office receives it. This method is slower than online filing, so use it only if you do not have internet access or a payment card. Keep a copy of the form for your records.

Filing in person at the post office

Bring a valid photo ID and your new address to any post office location. Tell the clerk you want to file a change of address. They will hand you Form 3575 to complete at the counter, or they may enter the information directly into their system. Provide your current address, new address, and the start date for forwarding. The clerk will process it when ready and charge you $1.10.

You can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Ask for a receipt or confirmation number. Your forwarding will be active within one business day, making this the fastest in-person option. This method is useful if you are unsure about your new address or want to ask questions before submitting.

What happens to mail after you file

Once your change of address is active, USPS will forward all mail addressed to your old address to your new one for 12 months. After 12 months, the forwarding expires and mail sent to your old address will be returned to the sender marked "No Forwarding Address on File." If you need forwarding to continue, you must file a new change of address before the 12 months end.

USPS forwards only mail they deliver — letters, magazines, and packages they carry. Mail from Amazon, UPS, FedEx, and other private carriers will not be forwarded because those companies do not use USPS delivery. You will need to update your address directly with those services and any merchants or organizations that send you packages.

Changing address for a business or seasonal move

If you are moving a business to a new location, file a separate change of address for the business address. Go to usps.com, select "Change of Address," then choose "Business" instead of "Move." Enter the business name, current business address, and new business address. You will pay $1.10 for the business forwarding in addition to any residential change of address you file.

For a seasonal move (such as moving to a winter home for part of the year), select "Seasonal" on the change of address page. Enter your primary address, your seasonal address, and the dates you will be at each location. Seasonal forwarding costs $1.10 and lasts for one year. After that year, mail will stop being forwarded and you will need to file again if you are still moving seasonally.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most frequent error is misspelling the new address or leaving out an apartment number, suite number, or unit designation. Double-check your address before submitting — use your lease, utility bill, or a recent piece of mail to confirm the exact spelling and format. If you discover a mistake after filing, you can file a new change of address when ready; USPS will process the corrected one and cancel the incorrect one.

Another common mistake is assuming that all mail will be forwarded. Remember that USPS forwards only mail they deliver. If you order from retailers that use FedEx or UPS, update your address with those companies directly. Also, do not wait until moving day to file — USPS recommends filing at least two weeks before you move so the forwarding is active when mail starts arriving at your old address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a change of address before I move?

Yes. When you file online or in person, you can set a start date up to 30 days in the future. This is useful if you know your move date but have not moved yet. Mail will not be forwarded until the start date you choose, so you can file early without losing mail sent to your old address before the move.

What if I move again within 12 months?

File a new change of address with your second new address. USPS will update your forwarding to the second address. The original 12-month forwarding period does not reset — it continues from the date of your first filing. Once 12 months have passed since your first change of address, all forwarding stops.

Can I get a refund if I do not use the full 12 months of forwarding?

No. The $1.10 fee is non-refundable once the change of address is filed. You cannot cancel or pause forwarding to get money back. If you move back to your original address, you will need to file a new change of address and pay another $1.10.

Will my change of address work for mail sent to my old address before I filed?

No. USPS can only forward mail that arrives after your change of address is active. Mail sent to your old address before you file will not be forwarded. This is why USPS recommends filing at least two weeks before you move.

What if my mail is still going to my old address after I filed?

Check that your change of address is active by logging into usps.com with the email address you used to file. If it shows as active, the sender may have an outdated address in their system. Contact the sender directly and provide your new address. If the change of address shows as pending, wait for it to become active — this takes three to five business days.