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How USPS Mail Forwarding and Change of Address Work

Submit an official USPS change of address online or at a Post Office, complete identity verification, choose temporary or permanent forwarding, and still update important senders because not every mail class or endorsed item forwards.

Timeline

  1. Up to 90 days before moving: Submit the official change of address, choose the correct move type and retain the confirmation code.
  2. Around the start date: Allow 7 to 10 Postal business days for mail to begin arriving and monitor both addresses when possible.
  3. During the first year: Update every sender directly because forwarding periods and exceptions vary by mail class.

USPS accepts a change of address online through its official Mover's Guide or on PS Form 3575 obtained at a Post Office. Online requests require authentication and a small current identity-verification fee; an in-person filing requires acceptable identification. Use only USPS.com because unrelated websites may charge much more and are not authorized to bypass the Postal Service's identity process. Confirm the current fee before submitting. [1][2]

Choose permanent forwarding when the move has no planned return date and temporary forwarding for a defined absence. USPS says a temporary order lasts at least 15 days and can cover no more than 364 days through an extension. A request may be submitted 90 days before the effective move date and up to 30 days afterward, though filing early and notifying senders about two weeks ahead reduces disruption. [1]

Select the individual option when only one person is moving or household members with different last names need separate handling. The family option can cover the whole household when everyone moves to the same address and shares the same last name. Businesses have separate authorization requirements. File only for yourself or someone you are legally authorized to represent, and use the complete old and new addresses including apartment or suite numbers. [1]

For a permanent order, USPS generally forwards First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and USPS Ground Advantage for 12 months. Periodicals generally forward for 60 days. Marketing Mail usually forwards only when the sender requested it, and some package or special mail can require added postage or follow different rules. Mailer endorsements can require an item to be returned instead of forwarded. [1][3]

Forwarding is a bridge, not a permanent address-update service. Contact banks, insurers, government agencies, employers, subscriptions, healthcare providers, relatives and other senders directly. USPS says delivery to the new address may begin within 7 to 10 Postal business days after the start date, and forwarded items have no guaranteed additional delivery time. Keep the numeric confirmation code so the order can be reviewed, edited or canceled. [1][2]

Identity verification can continue after a paper filing. USPS may send a letter directing the customer to complete verification online or at a Post Office before forwarding is finalized. Never respond to an unexpected message by giving credentials through an unverified link; navigate to USPS.com yourself. If a change was filed fraudulently, use the official USPS dispute process and consider reporting related mail crime to the Postal Inspection Service. [1][2]

Rules differ for international moves, military addresses, RV travelers, people moving from businesses or institutions, deceased recipients and premium forwarding services. Extended Mail Forwarding is a separate paid option for eligible permanent domestic orders and its price can change. Check the current USPS FAQ for the exact mail class and situation instead of assuming every letter, magazine or package will follow the same schedule. [1][2][4]

Sources

  1. U.S. Postal Service — Change of Address: The Basics
  2. U.S. Postal Service — Standard Forward Mail
  3. U.S. Postal Service — Mail Forwarding Options
  4. U.S. Postal Service — Extended Mail Forwarding

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