You’ve packed the boxes, booked the movers, and updated your calendar — and then it hits you: what about all the mail still headed to your old place? Bills, packages, that birthday card from your aunt who refuses to text. If you don’t handle it, your mail either piles up at a house you no longer live in or, worse, ends up in someone else’s hands.
That’s exactly what USPS change of address service is built to solve. This guide walks through exactly how it works, what it actually costs, how long forwarding lasts for different types of mail, and the specific mistakes that trip people up during a move — so you can set it up once and stop worrying about it.
What Is USPS Change of Address?
USPS change of address is an official service that redirects your mail from your old address to your new one for a set period of time. You can set it up either online through USPS.com or in person at any post office using a paper form.
It’s designed as a bridge, not a permanent fix. The idea is that forwarding buys you time to update your address directly with the businesses, banks, and subscriptions that send you mail, rather than relying on USPS to redirect everything indefinitely.
How to Submit a USPS Change of Address Online
The fastest and most common method is through USPS’s official online change of address form. Here’s how it works:
- Go to USPS.com and find the Change of Address section (search “USPS change of address” if you can’t locate it directly — third-party sites often try to charge extra for what’s a simple government service).
- Choose individual, family, or business move type.
- Enter your old and new addresses, along with the date you want forwarding to begin.
- Pay the $1.10 identity verification fee using a credit or debit card. This small charge exists specifically to confirm you’re a real person making a legitimate request — it’s not a processing fee in the traditional sense.
- Confirm your submission. You’ll get a confirmation email, and USPS will also mail physical confirmation letters to both your old and new addresses.
That last step is a security measure. If someone tries to fraudulently redirect your mail without your knowledge, the confirmation letter sent to your old address is what tips you off.
How to Submit a Change of Address In Person
If you’d rather not pay the $1.10 fee, or you simply prefer handling it face-to-face, you can complete PS Form 3575 at any post office location.
This paper form asks for the same core information as the online version — your name, old address, new address, and the date to start forwarding. It’s free, but it does take a few extra minutes of your time compared to the online process, and you’ll need to physically go to a post office to submit it.
How Long Does USPS Mail Forwarding Last?
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of the whole process, because forwarding doesn’t work the same way for every type of mail.
- First-Class Mail (regular letters, bills, personal correspondence): forwarded for 12 months at no additional charge.
- Periodicals (magazines, newsletters): forwarded for 60 days only.
- Packages: generally forwarded for 12 months, though this can vary depending on the shipping service used.
- Political mail and some marketing mail: often not forwarded at all, since these are typically sent based on current resident rather than a specific named addressee.
If you want ongoing forwarding beyond the initial period, you can extend it for an additional 6, 12, or 18 months for a fee, giving you up to 30 months of total coverage in some cases.
Temporary vs. Permanent Change of Address
USPS gives you two options depending on your situation:
Temporary change of address is designed for situations like an extended vacation, a seasonal move, or a temporary work assignment. Mail is forwarded for a set window — typically up to 12 months — and then automatically reverts back to your original address afterward.
Permanent change of address is what most people use for an actual move. Mail forwarding continues under the standard timelines described above, and you can update it again later if you move once more.
A common scenario: someone moving into a short-term rental while house-hunting will often choose “temporary” so mail automatically starts going back to a stable address (like a parent’s house) once the window ends, rather than needing to remember to switch it back manually.
Common Mistakes People Make With USPS Change of Address
Assuming forwarding covers everything indefinitely. As covered above, forwarding windows vary significantly by mail type, and some categories aren’t forwarded at all. Relying on USPS forwarding as a permanent solution instead of updating your address directly with senders is the single most common mistake people make.
Submitting the request too early or too late. You can schedule a change of address up to 30 days in advance, but not much further out than that. Submitting it too close to your move date, on the other hand, risks a gap where mail is delivered to the old address before forwarding kicks in.
Forgetting to update critical accounts separately. Banks, the IRS, your driver’s license, voter registration, and subscription services should all be updated directly. USPS forwarding is a safety net, not a substitute for these updates — and sensitive mail like tax documents or financial statements is exactly the kind of thing you don’t want depending on a forwarding window that could lapse.
Not checking for scam or third-party sites. Because the process is simple, some third-party websites mimic the USPS change of address form and charge inflated fees for what should cost $1.10. Always confirm you’re on the official USPS.com domain before entering payment information.
What Happens If You Move Again Before Forwarding Ends?
If you move again while a previous change of address is still active, you’ll need to submit a new request for your latest address. USPS doesn’t automatically chain multiple moves together — each move requires its own separate change of address submission, whether online or via a new PS Form 3575.
FAQ: USPS Change of Address Questions People Often Ask
How much does USPS change of address cost? The online option costs $1.10, charged as an identity verification fee. Submitting the paper form (PS Form 3575) in person at a post office is free.
How long does it take for USPS change of address to start working? It typically takes 7 to 10 business days for mail forwarding to fully take effect after your request is processed, though it can sometimes begin sooner. It’s a good idea to submit your request at least a week or two before your move date.
Does USPS forward packages as well as letters? Yes, in most cases packages are forwarded along with First-Class Mail for up to 12 months, though this can depend on the specific carrier service used to ship the package.
Can I cancel or change my USPS change of address request after submitting it? Yes. You can update or cancel your request online through USPS.com using your confirmation number, or by visiting a local post office in person.
Will USPS forward mail to a different name at the same address? No. Change of address requests are tied to specific named individuals, not addresses in general. If someone else at your household needs mail forwarded, they need to submit their own separate request.
Key Takeaways
Setting up USPS change of address is quick and inexpensive, but it works best as a temporary bridge rather than a long-term fix. Submit it a week or two before your move, understand that forwarding windows vary by mail type, and make it a priority to update your address directly with banks, subscriptions, and government agencies rather than relying on forwarding alone. Handled this way, your move stays smooth instead of turning into months of chasing down misdirected mail.
If you’re in the middle of planning a move, it’s worth pairing this with a broader moving checklist covering utilities, address updates, and timeline planning — getting the mail piece right is just one part of a smooth transition to your new place.
