File your change of address online, by mail, or in person at your local post office

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) handles change of address requests through a form called the Postal Service Form 3575. You can submit it three ways: online at usps.com, by mail to your local post office, or by walking in and filling it out in person. The online method is fastest — your change takes effect within one business day, while mail and in-person submissions take three to five business days.

You will need your current address, your new address, and a signature. If you are moving for a business, you can file a separate business change of address. USPS will forward mail to your new address for 12 months, then stop forwarding and return undeliverable mail to the sender.

Key Takeaways

  • File online at usps.com for the fastest processing — your change takes effect the next business day.
  • You will need your current address, new address, and a signature; no documents or proof of residency are required.
  • USPS forwards mail for 12 months, then stops, so update your address with banks, employers, and subscriptions before the forwarding period ends.
  • A change of address with USPS does not update your voter registration, driver's license, or vehicle registration — you must file those separately.
  • Business change of address is filed on the same form but processed separately and costs money, unlike residential moves.

Filing online at USPS.com

Go to usps.com and click "Change of Address" in the top menu. You will be asked to enter your current address and your new address, then choose your move date. The form asks whether you are moving for personal reasons or business reasons — select the one that applies. You will also confirm that you are the person authorized to file the change, which counts as your signature.

After you submit, USPS charges a small fee (currently $1.10 for online filing) and sends a confirmation email. Your change takes effect the next business day. You can track the status of your change of address request by returning to usps.com and entering your confirmation number.

Filing by mail or in person

If you prefer not to file online, pick up Form 3575 at your local post office or read it from usps.com, fill it out by hand, and mail it to your local post office. Include your current address, new address, move date, and your signature. Mail processing takes three to five business days.

You can also walk into any post office, ask for Form 3575, fill it out at the counter, and hand it to the clerk. In-person filing also takes three to five business days to process, though the post office will give you a receipt with a confirmation number so you can check the status later.

What happens to mail during the 12-month forwarding period

Once your change of address is active, USPS will forward mail addressed to your old address to your new one for 12 months. After 12 months, USPS stops forwarding and returns undeliverable mail to the sender marked "Moved — Left No Address." This is why it matters to update your address with banks, insurance companies, employers, and subscription services before the 12 months are up.

First-class mail and packages are forwarded automatically. Magazines and other periodicals may not forward, depending on the publisher's agreement with USPS. If you are expecting important mail from a specific company, contact them directly and give them your new address rather than relying on USPS forwarding.

Updating other government and financial records

A USPS change of address does not update your driver's license, vehicle registration, voter registration, or tax records. You must file those changes separately with each agency. Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles handles driver's license and vehicle registration; your local election office handles voter registration; and the IRS and your state tax authority handle tax records.

Contact your bank, credit card companies, insurance providers, and any employer or government benefit programs directly to update your address. Many allow you to change your address online through their website or app. Updating these records promptly prevents mail delays and ensures you receive important statements and notices.

Business change of address

If you are moving a business to a new location, you can file a business change of address on the same Form 3575, but it is processed separately and costs money. Business forwarding is not free like residential forwarding. The fee and forwarding period depend on the type of business mail you receive and how long you want forwarding to last.

Contact your local post office or visit usps.com to learn the current cost for business change of address. Some businesses choose to file both a residential change of address (for personal mail) and a business change of address (for company mail) if the owner is moving at the same time.

What to do if you filed the change of address incorrectly

If you made a mistake on your change of address form — for example, you entered the wrong new address or the wrong move date — contact your local post office as soon as possible. USPS can cancel the original request and file a new one. If the incorrect change has already taken effect, you may need to file a second change of address to correct it, which will take another three to five business days to process.

Keep your confirmation number from your original filing. When you contact the post office, have it ready so the clerk can look up your request and make the correction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to file a change of address?

Online filing costs $1.10. In-person and mail filing are free. Business change of address has a separate fee that varies depending on the type of mail and forwarding period you choose.

Can I file a change of address before I move?

Yes. You can file up to 30 days before your move date. Choose the date you want forwarding to begin, and USPS will start forwarding mail on that date.

What if I move multiple times in a year?

You can file a new change of address each time you move. Each request is processed separately and forwarding begins on the date you specify.

Does USPS notify my creditors and banks when I file a change of address?

No. USPS only forwards mail to your new address. You must contact your bank, credit card companies, insurance providers, and other organizations directly to update your address with them.

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

USPS returns it to the sender marked "Moved — Left No Address." This is why updating your address with important organizations before the 12 months are up is critical.