Planning your move? One crucial step to ensure a smooth transition is setting up mail forwarding with the United States Postal Service (USPS). While mail forwarding can start within 3 business days of your request, it’s wise to plan ahead and allow up to 2 weeks to ensure all your mail seamlessly follows you to your new address. Mail will be forwarded piece by piece as it arrives.
Understanding What Mail USPS Will Forward
Usps Forward Mail Service is designed to redirect your mail to your new address, but it’s important to know what types of mail are eligible for forwarding:
- First-Class Mail and Periodicals: This includes your letters, postcards, and magazines. These are forwarded for free as part of the standard USPS forward mail service.
- Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage: These expedited and package services are also forwarded at no additional charge.
- Media Mail: Books, DVDs, and other media items sent via Media Mail are forwarded. However, you will need to pay the shipping cost from your local Post Office to your new address to receive these items.
- USPS Marketing Mail: Be aware that USPS Marketing Mail, often referred to as “bulk mail” or advertisements, is not forwarded.
It’s critical to remember that a USPS change of address order only updates your mailing address with the Post Office. To ensure you receive all your important communications, you must also directly update your address with government agencies (like the DMV for your driver’s license or social security), financial institutions, subscription services, online retailers, and all other relevant businesses and contacts.
For comprehensive details and any exceptions, you can refer to the official USPS guidelines: Forwarding Mail Exceptions & Details (DMM 507.2.0).
Where to Initiate Your USPS Forward Mail Service
USPS offers convenient options to set up your mail forwarding. You can choose to complete the process online in just a few simple steps, or you can visit your local Post Office if you prefer in-person assistance or have specific circumstances.
You must submit your change of address request in person at a Post Office location in the following situations:
- If you are moving outside of the United States to an international address.
- If you are submitting a change of address request as an authorized agent on behalf of someone else.
- If you are unable to successfully verify your identity online through the USPS system.
How to Change Your Address Online for USPS Forward Mail Service
Setting up USPS forward mail service online is a straightforward process:
- Visit the Official USPS Change of Address Website: Go to the official USPS Change of Address website. Ensure you are on the official site to protect yourself from potential scams.
- Select Your Move Type and Complete the Form: Choose the appropriate option: “Individual,” “Family” (for those with the same last name moving together), or “Business.” Fill out the online form with your old and new addresses, and your desired start date for forwarding.
- Verify Your Identity Online: For security purposes, USPS requires identity verification. You can opt to receive a verification code or link via SMS to your mobile phone.
- Pay the Identity Verification Fee: There is a small identity verification fee of $1.10. Ensure the billing address on your credit card matches either your old or new address for successful verification.
- Confirmation and Notifications (Successful Online Verification):
- Confirmation Code via Email: Upon successful online identity verification, USPS will email you a confirmation code. Save this code as you will need it if you need to modify or cancel your request later.
- Move Validation Letter: You will receive a Move Validation Letter at your old address confirming your change of address request.
- Customer Notification Letter and Welcome Kit: Approximately 5 business days before your mail forwarding start date, you will receive a Customer Notification Letter (containing your confirmation code) at your new address. This kit often includes welcome information and coupons from USPS partners.
- Mail Forwarding Begins: Your mail will begin being rerouted to your new address piece by piece starting on your specified date.
- In-Person Verification (If Online Verification Fails): If you are unable to verify your identity online, USPS will send you an email with instructions and a barcode. Take this email, along with an acceptable form of photo ID (see Acceptable Photo ID), to your local Post Office for in-person verification.
Change Your Address Online Now
How to Change Your Address for USPS Forward Mail Service at the Post Office
If you prefer to set up your USPS forward mail service in person, or if you are required to do so due to specific circumstances, follow these steps:
- Visit Your Local Post Office: Locate your nearest Post Office using the USPS Find a Location Tool. Bring an acceptable form of photo ID (see Acceptable Photo ID) and any other necessary documents (as outlined below for special situations).
- Request a Mover’s Guide Packet: Ask a retail associate for a free Mover’s Guide packet. This packet contains the necessary PS Form 3575.
- Complete PS Form 3575: Fill out the PS Form 3575, the official USPS Change of Address form, found inside the Mover’s Guide packet.
- Submit Your Form and Verify Identity: Give the completed form to the retail associate. They will verify your identity using your photo ID and process your USPS forward mail service request.
Visit Change of Address FAQs
Change of Address Exceptions & Details (DMM 507.2.0)
Addressing Identity Verification Issues for USPS Forward Mail Service
Identity verification is a mandatory step to protect against fraudulent change of address requests.
- Identity Verification Requirement: USPS requires identity verification to process any change of address request, whether online or in person.
- In-Person Verification Option: If you encounter difficulties with online verification, visiting a Post Office with acceptable ID is the next step.
- No Change of Address Possible Without Verification: If you cannot verify your identity either online or at a Post Office, unfortunately, USPS will not be able to process your change of address request.
- Directly Contact Senders as an Alternative: In cases where you cannot establish USPS forward mail service, your only recourse is to directly notify everyone who sends you mail—individuals, companies, and government agencies—of your new address. Contact Senders Directly
USPS Forward Mail Service for Special Situations
USPS accommodates various special circumstances when it comes to mail forwarding:
Submitting a Change of Address for Someone Else (Authorized Agent):
If you are acting as an “Authorized Agent” and changing an address for another individual, you must visit a Post Office in person and provide acceptable ID along with specific documentation depending on the individual:
- Child Under 18: The child’s birth certificate.
- Person Unable to Act on Their Own Behalf: A Power of Attorney document.
Stop or Forward Mail for the Deceased:
To manage mail for a deceased person, you must go to a Post Office and present documentation demonstrating you are the authorized executor or administrator of their estate. A death certificate alone is not sufficient.
Managing Mail for the Deceased
International Moves:
If you are moving outside the United States, you must visit a Post Office before you leave the U.S. to verify your identity and submit your change of address request in person. Online changes are not permitted for international moves.
Businesses:
For business change of address requests submitted in person, you must provide documentation proving you are an “Authorized Agent” for the business. This can include a notarized letter, power of attorney, or a letter on company letterhead signed by a company leader.
U.S. Military Moves:
For military personnel, it is recommended to first consult with your command. Your AMPS relocation information may automatically be shared with USPS. If you still need to submit a separate change of address, you can do so online or in person. For online requests from a military address, your email address must end in .gov, .mil, or .edu. Important Note: In-person identity verification for military moves is only possible at Post Offices within the 50 states and Puerto Rico. If you are stationed outside of these locations, in-person verification and USPS forward mail service setup are not available.
Related USPS Mail Services to Enhance Your Move
Beyond standard mail forwarding, USPS offers additional services that can be helpful during a move:
USPS Hold Mail Service:
If you will be temporarily away from your new address for 3–30 days, you can use USPS Hold Mail service to temporarily pause mail delivery to your address. Your local Post Office will securely hold your mail until you return. Upon your return, your mail carrier will deliver all accumulated mail, or you can pick it up at the Post Office.
Schedule USPS Hold Mail Service
Extended Mail Forwarding:
Standard USPS forward mail service lasts for 12 months. If you anticipate needing mail forwarding for a longer period, you can pay to extend it for an additional 6, 12, or 18 months (18 months is the maximum extension). You can add Extended Mail Forwarding when initially setting up your change of address request or by editing an existing request later through Manage My Move. USPS will also send you a reminder email when your initial 12-month forwarding period is nearing its end. Important: Extended Mail Forwarding fees are non-refundable and cannot be canceled. For detailed information and pricing, see the Extended Mail Forwarding FAQs. After the extended forwarding period ends, mail will be returned to sender for 6 months with a label indicating your new address.
Premium Forwarding Service:
For more comprehensive mail management, USPS Premium Forwarding Service offers paid options. Residential customers can have their mail repackaged and sent to them weekly via Priority Mail. Business customers can choose daily, weekly, or monthly shipments via Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express.
