Yes, you can change your address online through USPS

The United States Postal Service (USPS) lets you change your mailing address online using a service called USPS Informed Delivery or through their main website. You do not have to visit a post office in person. The process takes about 10 minutes, costs $1.10, and your new address takes effect within three to five business days.

The online method works best if you have a credit or debit card and know your current address exactly as it appears on your mail. If you moved recently and do not have mail from your old address, or if you prefer to avoid the small fee, you can still change your address at a post office counter for the same price.

Key Takeaways

  • USPS lets you change your address online at usps.com or through the Informed Delivery app, and the change takes effect in three to five business days.
  • You will need a credit or debit card to pay the $1.10 fee, and you must know your current address exactly as it appears on your mail.
  • If you are changing your address for the first time at a location, USPS may send a confirmation letter to both your old and new address to verify the change.
  • You can set an end date for mail forwarding if you only need it temporarily, or leave it open-ended if you are moving permanently.
  • Changing your address with USPS does not automatically update your address with banks, employers, subscriptions, or government agencies — you will need to contact them separately.

How to change your address on the USPS website

Go to usps.com and look for the "Change of Address" link, usually found under the "Mail & Shipping" section. You will be asked to sign in with a USPS account or create one. If you do not have an account, you can create one using your email address and a password.

Once you are signed in, select "Start" next to "Change of Address" and choose whether you are moving yourself, moving a business, or moving on behalf of someone else. Enter your current address exactly as it appears on your mail, then enter your new address. You will choose whether the forwarding is temporary (with an end date) or permanent.

Review the information for accuracy, then pay the $1.10 fee with a credit or debit card. USPS will send you a confirmation email. Your mail will begin forwarding three to five business days after the change is processed.

What happens when you change your address with USPS

When you submit a change of address online, USPS forwards mail sent to your old address to your new one for up to 12 months (or whatever end date you set). Mail that arrives at your old address after the forwarding period ends will be returned to the sender or discarded, depending on the type of mail.

If this is the first time you have changed your address at this location, USPS may send a confirmation letter to both your old and new address. This is a security measure to prevent someone from redirecting another person's mail. You do not need to do anything with this letter — it is just notification.

Some mail will not forward automatically. Packages from retailers, court documents, and certain government mail may require you to update your address directly with the sender. This is why it is important to notify banks, employers, subscriptions, and government agencies of your move separately.

Using the USPS Informed Delivery app instead

If you prefer to use your phone, the USPS Informed Delivery app lets you change your address through the same system as the website. read the app, sign in with your USPS account (or create one), and select "Manage My Address." The process and fee are identical to the website method.

The app also shows you a preview of mail and packages arriving at your address each day, which can be useful after you move to confirm that forwarding is working. You can see scans of the front of letters before they arrive, which helps you spot mail that may not forward automatically.

What to do if you cannot change your address online

If you do not have a credit or debit card, or if you prefer not to pay online, you can change your address in person at any post office. Bring a photo ID and proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days). The fee is still $1.10, and you can pay with cash, check, or card.

If you moved out of the country or to a US territory, you will need to visit a post office in person or contact USPS directly. The online system does not handle international moves the same way.

Common reasons the online change might not work

The most common reason an online change fails is entering your current address incorrectly. USPS requires the address to match exactly as it appears on your mail — including apartment numbers, directional prefixes (North, South, East, West), and spelling. If you are unsure, look at a recent piece of mail and copy the address word for word.

If you recently moved and do not have mail from your old address, you may not be able to change your address online. In that case, visit a post office and bring your photo ID and proof of your new address. The postal worker can look up your old address in the system and process the change for you.

If USPS suspects fraud — for example, if someone tries to change an address multiple times in a short period — the system may require you to verify your identity by mail. This adds extra time but protects your mail from being redirected without your knowledge.

What you still need to do after changing your address with USPS

Changing your address with USPS only affects mail sent through the postal service. You will need to update your address separately with your bank, credit card companies, insurance providers, employer, subscriptions, and any government agencies that send you mail. Many of these organizations will not know about your move unless you tell them.

If you receive bills by mail, contact each company to update your address. If you receive tax documents, Social Security statements, or other government mail, update your address with those agencies directly. The USPS change of address does not cascade to these organizations automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for my address change to go into effect?

USPS typically processes address changes within three to five business days. During that time, mail may still arrive at your old address. Once the change is active, mail forwarding begins when ready. If you need the change to happen faster, you will need to visit a post office in person, though the processing time is the same.

Can I change my address temporarily and then change it back?

Yes. When you change your address online, you can set an end date for the forwarding. After that date, mail will stop forwarding and will be returned to the sender. You can also change your address again at any time, though USPS may require additional verification if you change it multiple times in a short period.

What if I made a mistake when I changed my address?

You can change your address again online at any time. Go back to usps.com, sign in, and submit a new change of address with the correct information. The new change will override the previous one. You will pay the $1.10 fee again.

Will my packages automatically go to my new address?

Packages from retailers like Amazon usually forward automatically if they are shipped through USPS. However, packages from UPS, FedEx, or other carriers will not forward — you will need to update your address with those companies separately. Some retailers also require you to update your address in your account before they ship.

Do I need to change my address with the post office if I am just changing my apartment number?

Yes. Even if you are staying in the same building, changing your apartment number requires a formal address change with USPS. Mail sent to your old apartment number will not automatically reach your new one. Submit the change online or at a post office.