How do you change your address with the United States Postal Service, USPS? This guide explains the official process in plain language, what information you need, how long it takes, what mail forwarding covers, and what to do after you move. It gives general official USPS guidance only, and it does not include any personal tracking information, personal address data, or account details. For your own move, always use the official USPS website or a post office, and keep your confirmation information private.
Changing your address with USPS is one of the first tasks when you move, because it ensures that mail sent to your old address is forwarded to your new address for a period of time. It does not replace notifying banks, employers, government agencies, or subscription services directly, but it is an important safety net while you update those contacts one by one. This guide covers the online process, the in-person process, costs, timing, and common mistakes, so you can complete your change of address with confidence.
What Is a USPS Change of Address?
A USPS change of address, often called a COA, is a request to USPS to forward mail from your old address to your new address. When USPS processes your request, mail addressed to your old address is redirected to your new address for a set period, depending on the type of mail. First-class mail, such as letters and packages, is generally forwarded for a longer period than magazines and other mail, and some types of mail are not forwarded at all, which is why direct notification to senders is still important.
A change of address can be for an individual, for a family, or for a business, and it can be temporary or permanent. A temporary change is for a short move, such as a seasonal stay, while a permanent change is for a move where you do not plan to return to the old address. Choosing the correct type matters, because it affects how long forwarding lasts and what happens when the forwarding period ends.
USPS also offers mail hold services, which are different from forwarding. A mail hold pauses delivery while you are away, and mail is held at the post office until you return. A change of address, by contrast, sends mail to a new address. If you are moving permanently, a change of address is usually the right choice. If you are travelling temporarily and will return to the same address, a mail hold may be more appropriate.
How to Change Your Address Online
The official online process starts on the USPS website, on the change of address page. You will be asked whether your move is temporary or permanent, whether it is for an individual, a family, or a business, and for your old and new addresses. You will also be asked for a payment method for a small identity verification fee, which is charged to a credit or debit card to verify your identity and to prevent fraudulent changes. That fee is usually a small amount, and USPS publishes the current fee on its website, so check there before you start.
Online identity verification is an important security step. USPS uses your payment card information to verify that you are who you say you are, and it may also ask additional verification questions. If online verification fails, you may need to visit a post office in person with identification to complete your change. Do not share your confirmation number, your payment details, or your personal address information with anyone else, and do not use unofficial websites that claim to change your address for a higher fee, because those sites may be scams or may charge extra for a service USPS provides directly.
After you submit an online change, USPS will send a confirmation to your new address and, in some cases, a notification to your old address, to alert you if someone else tried to change your address without your permission. Keep your confirmation information in a safe place, and check that mail forwarding starts on the date you requested. If forwarding does not start, contact USPS through official channels with your confirmation details ready, but do not share those details publicly.
How to Change Your Address in Person
You can also change your address at a post office by completing a paper change of address form, often called PS Form 3575. The form asks for similar information to the online process: your name, old address, new address, type of move, and effective date. You will need to show identification, and the form is processed by USPS staff. In-person changes do not usually require the online verification fee, but they may take longer to process than online changes, because the paper form must be entered into the system.
In-person changes are a good option if you do not have a credit or debit card for online verification, if you prefer to speak to staff, or if your online verification failed. Bring a valid photo ID, and bring the exact old and new addresses, including apartment or suite numbers, to avoid errors. Double-check the form before you submit it, because a single wrong digit in a house number or ZIP code can delay forwarding or send mail to the wrong address.
Whether you change online or in person, the effective date matters. Choose a date that matches your move, not a date far in the future or in the past, unless you have a specific reason. Mail addressed to your old address before the effective date will not be forwarded, and mail after the forwarding period ends will not be forwarded either, so timing and direct notification to senders are both important.
What Mail Is Forwarded, and for How Long?
First-Class Mail and Packages
First-class mail, including letters, bills, and most packages, is generally forwarded for twelve months for a permanent change, with some exceptions. After that period, USPS may return mail to the sender with your new address for a further period, to help senders update their records. Check the current USPS forwarding periods on the official website, because they can change, and because different mail classes have different rules.
Magazines, Newspapers, and Other Mail
Magazines, newspapers, and other periodicals are generally forwarded for a shorter period, often sixty days, and then USPS may notify the publisher of your new address, rather than forwarding further issues. That is why it is important to notify magazine and newspaper subscriptions directly, as well as filing a USPS change, so that your subscriptions continue without interruption.
Mail That Is Not Forwarded
Some mail is not forwarded, such as certain government mail, mail marked do not forward, and mail for businesses that have specific delivery instructions. If you are expecting important mail, such as tax documents, government benefits, or legal mail, notify those senders directly, in addition to filing a USPS change, and check with them about their forwarding policies. Do not rely solely on USPS forwarding for critical mail.
After You Change Your Address: Your Checklist
After filing a USPS change, notify important contacts directly. Start with your employer, bank, credit card companies, insurance providers, and government agencies, such as tax authorities, voter registration, and benefits agencies, because those senders may need to update their records separately. Then notify subscriptions, online retailers, schools, doctors, and other regular contacts. Keep a list of who you have notified, and check it over the first few weeks after your move.
Also update your address for driver’s licence, vehicle registration, and voter registration, following your state’s rules and deadlines, which are separate from USPS forwarding. Those updates are legal requirements in many states, and they are not completed by a USPS change alone. Check your state government website for the correct process and timeframe.
Finally, check your mail forwarding during the first weeks. If you receive mail at your new address that was addressed to your old address, forwarding is working. If you are missing expected mail, check with senders, check your USPS confirmation, and contact USPS through official channels. Do not share your confirmation number publicly, and be cautious of messages that claim to be from USPS but ask for payment or personal details by email or text, because USPS does not usually request sensitive information that way.
| Step | What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. File COA | Online or in person with USPS | Starts mail forwarding |
| 2. Choose type | Individual, family, or business | Ensures correct forwarding |
| 3. Set date | Match your move date | Avoids gaps in forwarding |
| 4. Notify senders | Banks, government, subscriptions | Updates sender records directly |
| 5. Update licences | State DMV, voter registration | Meets legal requirements |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake is to file a USPS change and assume all senders are updated. USPS forwarding is a safety net, not a replacement for direct notification, and it ends after a set period. Another mistake is to use an unofficial change of address website that charges a high fee. Always use the official USPS website or a post office, and check the fee published by USPS before you pay.
Another mistake is to file a change for the wrong type, such as filing an individual change when a family change is needed, or vice versa. That can cause mail for other family members to be missed. Check who is moving, and file the correct type. Another mistake is to forget apartment, suite, or unit numbers, which can cause mail to be delayed or returned. Include the full, exact new address, as it appears on your lease, deed, or utility bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does USPS mail forwarding last?
Forwarding periods depend on mail class and move type. First-class mail is generally forwarded for twelve months for a permanent change, while periodicals are forwarded for a shorter period. Check the current periods on the official USPS website for your move type.
Is there a fee to change your address with USPS?
Online changes include a small identity verification fee charged to a card, as published by USPS. In-person paper changes at a post office do not usually require that fee, but they may take longer to process.
Does a USPS change update my driver’s licence or voter registration?
No. Those are separate state processes. You must update them directly with your state government, following its rules and deadlines.
What should I do if mail forwarding does not start?
Check your confirmation, check that your effective date and addresses are correct, contact senders directly, and contact USPS through official channels with your confirmation details ready, without sharing them publicly.
Conclusion
Changing your address with USPS is a simple but important step when you move. File a change of address online or in person, choose the correct type and effective date, and use the official USPS website or a post office, not an unofficial site that charges extra. Remember that forwarding is temporary and does not replace notifying banks, government agencies, employers, and subscriptions directly, nor does it update driver’s licence or voter registration. With a USPS change plus direct notifications, your mail will follow you to your new address, and you can settle into your new home with fewer missed letters and packages.
For more how-to guides on moving, postal services, and public services, see our USPS change of address guide, Ploomes Org guide, and technology news and guides. File your change early, notify senders directly, and keep your confirmation information private and safe.
