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By Katherine McEntire
Jul 23, 2024
7 min read
At a glance
After you've changed your physical address, you should also change your address with the post office and other services. While some companies will take care of this for a fee, you can change your address online for less than $2 or at your local post office for free.
Where to change your address
- : How to change your address online
Online
- : Change your address at the post office
In Person
- : Other places to change your address
Other changes of address
How to fill out USPS's Change of Address form online
Whether you change your mailing address online or in person, the process is generally the same. You can go into your local post office or change it online before you move, adding a forwarding service.
The official USPS Change of Address form is easy to fill out and only costs $1.10 upfront. During this process, you can also register to vote, killing two birds with one address!
Type of address
First, you'll tell the post office whether you're moving as an individual, family, or business. You'll add your old address and new address, then click "Next."
If you fill out the change of address form as a family, the USPS will ask about the number of people in your household with the same last name at the new and old addresses. This helps clarify any confusion around family names.
If you fill out the change of address form as a business, USPS will ask about whether your entire business is moving or if your business has multiple locations.
Permanent or temporary move
Next, USPS will ask you about whether you're moving temporarily or permanently. If you plan to live at your new address for 12 months or more, select "permanent." If you're using a PO Box as an address, enter the box number into the street address field.
If you select a temporary move, the next field will have a start and end date. Mail will default to the address you have on file before this change of address.
The ultimate moving checklist
The Postal Service gives you a 10-point checklist for moving. Move.org has gone 61 steps further. Check out our ultimate moving checklist!
Mail forwarding date
Address changes take time (7 to 10 business days, to be exact). Mail addressed to your old home needs to be forwarded to your new one. In this field, select the date when you'd like your mail to be sent to your new address.
This would ideally be after you move into your new home and cannot be more than 30 days before the day you fill out the change of address online.
Contact information
Enter some final basic contact information like your name, email address, and phone number. If your family has more than one last name or multiple people
Informed Delivery and Extended Forwarding
Before you finish up your change of address form online, the USPS will ask you if you're interested in some extra services. Informed Delivery is a free service that digitally tracks mail and packages.
Extended Forwarding allows you to forward mail from your old address from 6 to up to 18 months. Unlike Informed Delivery, it is a paid service that costs between $22.50 to $44.50.
- Extended Forwarding for 6 months: $22.50
- Extended Forwarding for 12 months: $33.50
- Extended Forwarding for 18 months: $44.50
Both Extended Forwarding and Informed Delivery are optional. So if you don't want either service, simply click "Next" at the bottom of the page.
Verify and pay
Finally, you'll need to check the information you entered into the change of address form online. Check that your name, address, zip code, and forwarding dates are all correct.
If you need to make changes, simply choose the "Edit" option below your information.
Changing your address online does cost $1.10, so you'll get a statement on this same page for an identity verification fee. For a change of address online, USPS accepts payments from Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards.
Watch out for scammers
It should never cost you more than $1.10 to change your address with the post office. Beware of third-party mail forwarding services that ask for upwards of $40 to do it for you.
How to fill out USPS's Change of Address in-person
A more old fashioned approach to changing your address is to go to the post office in person. If you aren't sure where your closest post office is, you can try the USPS post office locator or try your favorite map app like Google or Apple Maps.
Be sure to bring a recent photo ID. Once you get there, ask for Mover's Packet at the counter and fill it out. Change of address services is free in person, making it a huge advantage over changing it online.
You'll need to fill out PS Form 3575 inside that Mover's Packet and give it to the associate at the counter. From there, they can verify your ID and start processing your change of address request.
Other places to change your address online
Thankfully we live in a digital world where changing your address for services like Amazon or grocery deliveries are easy to adjust. But there are other services you'll need to check before or after you make a big move.
The Postal Service will forward your mail for up to 30 days after your initial change of address. But other companies and entities may not get the memo. Check with these to make sure everyone who needs to know has your new address.
- Government agencies (DMV, IRS, Social Security Administration)
- Insurance (health, auto, home)
- Financial services (banks, credit cards, loan companies)
- Utilities (gas, electricity, internet)
- Home security
- Animal care (veterinarian, pet microchip registry, animal daycare)
- Online services (Amazon, Netflix, Venmo, TV streaming)
- Memberships and subscriptions (Costco, gyms, magazines, cable)
Don’t forget your internet!
When you change your address, you also need to notify your internet service provider and transfer your internet contract. Alternatively, if you’re tired of your old provider or it isn’t available in your new area, now is the perfect time to find a new ISP. Check out our list of ISPs we recommend to find the best internet service for your new home.
Who else do you contact to change your address?
The Postal Service will forward mail to your new address for a limited time, but you also need to change your address with companies that send you mail and provide services at your old address:
- Animal care (veterinarian, pet microchip registry, animal daycare)
- Financial services (banks, credit cards, loan companies)
- Government agencies (DMV, IRS, Social Security Administration)
- Insurance (health, auto, home)
- Home security
- Memberships and subscriptions (Costco, gyms, magazines, cable)
- Online services (Amazon, Netflix, Venmo, TV streaming)
- Utilities (gas, electricity, internet)
Recap
Changing your address online is much easier than the actual move (and only costs $1.10). Within a few minutes, you can set up mail forwarding or holds from your old address to your new one so you won't miss anything.
The Postal Service makes it easy to do in-person or online, so be sure to update your address with USPS and other services.
Change-of-address FAQ
We've got more answers to your burning questions about how to change your address, forward your mail, and other services.
Are there alternatives to changing your address?
If a full change of address isn’t your best option, The Postal Service offers options better suited for shorter moves or long vacations.
- The post office can hold your mail for up to 30 days.
- The post office can forward your mail for up to 12 months.
Can the post office hold my mail?
Yes. If you will be gone for a month or less, you can arrange for the post office to hold your mail (rather than change your address and forward your mail). You can schedule a mail holding period via the USPS Hold Mail website or at your local post office.
What is premium forwarding?
Premium forwarding is an optional service from the Postal Service that bundles your mail in weekly batches. It costs an initial $24.10 to enroll online and $26.20 per week. In price and services, premium mail forwarding is different from a change of address request. You can find more details from the USPS's FAQ.
Premium forwarding vs. change of address
Service | Change of address | Premium mail forwarding |
Initial fee | Up to $1.10 | Up to $24.10 |
|---|---|---|
Recurring costs | $0 | $26.20 per week |
Frequency of delivery | Daily | Weekly |
Mail service | First-Class | Priority Mail |
Data current as of 07/23/24. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.
Why pay more to get your mail delivered only once per week?
We asked the staff at our local post office. They told us this service is most often used by snowbirds who don’t know the exact date of their return and who are worried they’ll forget to change their address at the end of their stay.
For those who have a firm move-back date, the standard change of address form allows you to identify a “discontinue forwarding” date at no charge.
While it can feel inconvenient to plan your return date at the time you fill out the change of address form, it’s totally worth it.
Discounts
Moving is expensive! We've hunted down discounts to help you save money. Learn more about this year’s best moving discounts.
Do I have to pay for postage after changing my address?
Just because you change your address with the post office doesn’t mean everything is taken care of. The post office will forward your mail, but you are responsible for the postage if the mail arrives via First-Class, Media Mail, or USPS Retail Ground.
How long will my mail be forwarded?
You can have your mail forwarded to your new address for up to 30 days for free. If you need longer, you can pay for up to 18 months. But this service costs around $45 up front.
Type of mail | Length of Mail Forwarding |
| First-Class, Priority, Priority Mail Express | 12 months |
|---|---|
| Packages | 12 months |
| Newspapers and magazines | 60 days |
| Junk mail | Not forwarded |
What happens if I don’t change my address?
Without notifying the post office of your change of address, everything sent to you will continue to go to your old address. This can include bills, subscriptions, magazines, letters, and other important mail. If nobody lives at your old address, mail carriers will send leftover mail back to senders after 10 calendar days or until your mailbox is full.
What does COA mean?
COA means “change of address” and is an acronym frequently used by the Postal Service.
Where can I find the local post office at my new address?
You can find your local post office on the official USPS website. Simply enter your city, state, and zip code to see a list of post offices in your area.
What does "USPS" stand for?
USPS stands for United States Postal Service. Type in “post office,” “USPS,” or “postal service USPS” in a Google search, and you’ll see the same governmental agency show up: the USPS (or United States Postal Service).
What does "P.O." Box stand for?
PO Box stands for Post Office Box—a lockable box inside a post office lobby where you can have your mail delivered for a fee. If you change your post office box number, you’ll need to fill out a change-of-address form to continue getting your mail.
Recommended resources
There’s more to moving than changing your address. Learn more about the most popular moving options:
- Best Rental Truck Companies
- Best Moving Container Companies
- Best Full-Service Moving Companies
- Best Car Shipping Companies
- Best Moving Labor Companies
- How to Set Up Home Services in Your New House
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- What Is the Cheapest Way to Move?
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Written by
Katherine McEntire
Katie is a multi-media journalist who has worked with publications like AARP, TechGuySmartBuy, Forbes, Healthy Moms, and Digital Care. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. She’s held previous writing positions at Overstock.com and Top Ten Reviews, and she’s the YouTube personality and expert for SafeWise.
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