Three ways to report your new address to Social Security

You can report a change of address to Social Security through your online account, by phone, or in person at a local office. The fastest method is my Social Security, the official online portal where you can update your address yourself in minutes without waiting. If you do not have an online account or prefer to speak with someone, you can call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time, or visit a Social Security office near you.

Social Security processes address changes within days once received. However, if you are receiving benefits, mail may still arrive at your old address for a week or two after you report the change, so do not be alarmed if a check or notice shows up there. The important thing is to report it as soon as you move so that future payments and documents reach you correctly.

Key Takeaways

  • The my Social Security online account is the fastest way to change your address and takes only a few minutes if you already have a login.
  • You can also call 1-800-772-1213 during business hours or visit a local Social Security office in person to report your move.
  • Social Security will process your address change within a few days, but mail sent before the change may still arrive at your old address.
  • If you receive benefits, your next payment will be mailed to your new address once the change is recorded in the system.

Using my Social Security to change your address online

Log in to your my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. If you do not have an account, you will need to create one using your email address, Social Security number, and a password. Social Security will send you a verification code by email or text to confirm your identity before you can set up the account.

Once you are logged in, look for the "Personal Information" or "Profile" section. Click on the address field and enter your new street address, city, state, and ZIP code. Double-check that everything is spelled correctly and the ZIP code matches your city and state. After you save the change, you should see a confirmation message on the screen. Keep a record of the date you made the change in case you need to follow up later.

This method works for anyone with a Social Security number, whether you receive benefits or not. If you have a representative or payee managing your account, they can also log in and update the address on your behalf if you have given them access to your my Social Security account.

Calling Social Security to report your address change

Call 1-800-772-1213 and tell the representative that you need to change your address. Have your new address written down before you call so you can read it clearly to the representative. They will ask you to verify your identity by providing your Social Security number and possibly your date of birth or other personal information.

The representative will enter your new address into the system while you are on the phone. Ask them to repeat your address back to you to make sure it was entered correctly. Request a confirmation number or note the date and time of your call so you have a record of when you reported the change. The call usually takes five to ten minutes.

Social Security's phone lines are busiest early in the week and early in the month. If you reach a busy signal, try calling back later in the day or later in the week. The TTY number for people who are deaf or hard of hearing is 1-800-325-0778.

Visiting a Social Security office in person

Find your nearest Social Security office by going to ssa.gov/locator or calling 1-800-772-1213 and asking for the address. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security card if you have it. Write down your new address before you go so you do not have to rely on memory when you are at the office.

Walk-in hours vary by location, but most offices are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some offices accept walk-ins only in the morning. You can also call ahead to ask about wait times or to schedule an appointment, which may be faster than walking in. Tell the staff member at the front desk that you need to change your address, and they will direct you to the right person.

The office staff will verify your identity, update your address in the system, and give you a receipt showing the change was made. This method is useful if you prefer to handle things in person or if you have other questions about your account that you want to discuss face-to-face.

What happens after you report your address change

Social Security typically processes address changes within two to five business days. If you receive monthly benefits, your next payment will be mailed to your new address once the change is in the system. If you have direct deposit set up, your payment method does not change—it will still go to your bank account on the same schedule.

Any notices, tax documents, or other mail from Social Security will also be sent to your new address going forward. However, mail that was already in the system before your change was processed may still arrive at your old address. If you are concerned about missing important documents, you can check your my Social Security account to see if any notices are waiting for you there.

If you do not see your address updated in your my Social Security account within a week, or if you do not receive expected mail at your new address after two weeks, call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm the change was recorded correctly.

If you are moving out of the United States

If your new address is outside the United States, you still need to report it to Social Security, but the process is slightly different. Some countries have restrictions on benefit payments, so Social Security needs to know where you are living to determine whether your benefits can continue.

Call 1-800-772-1213 and tell the representative that you are moving abroad. They will ask for your new address, the country you are moving to, and the date you are leaving the United States. You may also need to provide information about your citizenship status. Social Security will send you a form to complete and return, which confirms that you are still living and still may have access to to your benefits.

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the rules are stricter—you may lose your benefits if you stay outside the United States for more than 30 days. If you receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits, you can usually continue receiving them abroad, but you must stay in contact with Social Security and respond to any forms they send you.

Common mistakes to avoid when changing your address

Do not assume that changing your address with your bank or employer will automatically update it with Social Security—these are separate systems and Social Security does not have access to other organizations' records. You must report the change directly to Social Security using one of the three methods above.

Do not use a P.O. box as your mailing address with Social Security unless it is your only address option. Social Security prefers a physical street address because some documents and payments require a street address. If you must use a P.O. box temporarily while you are moving, update it to your permanent street address as soon as you have one.

Do not wait to report your move. The sooner you notify Social Security, the sooner your mail will be redirected correctly. If you move and do not report it, you may miss important notices about your benefits, tax documents, or other official correspondence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take Social Security to process an address change?

Social Security usually processes address changes within two to five business days. Mail that was already in the system before your change may still arrive at your old address for another week or two, so do not be surprised if you receive something at your previous location after you have reported the change.

Can I change my address if I do not have a my Social Security account?

Yes. You can call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office in person. Both methods work without an online account. Creating a my Social Security account is optional, but it is the fastest way to make changes yourself without waiting on the phone or in an office.

What if I move before my next benefit payment is due?

Report your address change as soon as you move. Your next benefit payment will be mailed to your new address once Social Security has processed the change. If you have direct deposit, your payment will go to your bank account as usual and your address change does not affect it.

Do I need to report my address change if I have direct deposit?

Yes. Even if your benefits are deposited directly into your bank account, you should still report your address change to Social Security. You need to receive notices, tax documents, and other official mail at your correct address.

What should I do if I move and then move again a few weeks later?

Report each address change to Social Security as it happens. You can update your address as many times as needed. There is no penalty for multiple changes, and Social Security will always send mail to your most recent address on file.