Free Guide to USPS Address Change Information

What Is an Address Change and Why It Matters

An address change is when you officially notify the United States Postal Service (USPS) that you are moving to a new residence. This notification tells USPS to forward your mail from your old address to your new one. According to USPS data, approximately 40 million address changes are filed annually in the United States, reflecting the mobile nature of the American population.

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When you move, your mail does not automatically follow you. Without notifying USPS, important documents—including bills, tax information, bank statements, and government correspondence—will continue arriving at your previous address. This creates several practical problems. First, you may miss time-sensitive financial information or bills, which could affect your credit or result in late fees. Second, mail left at an old address can be collected by others, putting your personal information at risk. Third, some organizations may not have your new address, leading to service interruptions or delayed communications.

Address changes are particularly important if you receive mail related to subscriptions, financial accounts, insurance policies, healthcare providers, or government correspondence. The Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and state agencies all send important documents by mail. If these do not reach you, you may miss deadlines or miss notices about your accounts or benefits.

Filing an address change is a straightforward process with USPS, and the service itself is free. Understanding how and when to file ensures that your mail transition goes smoothly and that you do not lose contact with important correspondence during your move.

Practical Takeaway: File your address change as soon as you have a confirmed moving date and your new address. This creates a buffer period before your move so that USPS has time to process the change before your first day at the new location.

How to File an Address Change Online

USPS offers a digital option for filing an address change through its official website at usps.com. This online method is the fastest way to submit your request and requires no fees. To use the online process, you will need a valid email address and a credit card or debit card. The card is not charged; it is used only to verify your identity.

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The online address change process works as follows. First, visit the USPS website and navigate to the address change section. You will provide your current address and your new address. USPS will then ask you to confirm your identity by entering personal information, including your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Next, you will select the effective date for the change—this is the date when your mail forwarding should begin. USPS allows you to choose a date up to 30 days in the future, which is useful if you know your moving date in advance.

The system will present a confirmation screen showing all the information you entered. Review this carefully to ensure accuracy. If everything is correct, you will be prompted to complete the identity verification by entering your credit or debit card information. USPS processes the payment information immediately, though no charge is applied. After verification, USPS sends a confirmation email to the address you provided. Keep this confirmation for your records; it includes a tracking number and shows the effective date of your change.

The online method is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and typically processes within one business day. This makes it the most convenient option for most people. However, the online system does have limitations: it does not allow you to change your address for a business if you file as an individual, and it does not process changes for addresses outside the United States.

Practical Takeaway: File your address change online at least one week before your move to allow processing time. Save your confirmation email and reference number in case you need to follow up or check the status of your request.

Filing an Address Change In Person at the Post Office

If you prefer to file your address change in person or cannot use the online method, you can visit any USPS post office location. According to USPS, there are approximately 31,000 post office locations across the country. In-person filing allows you to speak with postal staff who can answer questions and ensure your information is entered correctly.

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To file in person, locate the nearest post office and bring a valid government-issued ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You will fill out Form 3575, which is the Address Change Order form. This form is straightforward and asks for your current address, new address, the date the change should take effect, and your signature. The form includes spaces for multiple family members if more than one person is moving to the new address. Each person listed on the form must sign it personally, as USPS requires.

Post office staff will ask to see your ID to verify your identity before processing the form. This verification step is the same one used in the online process—it confirms that you are authorized to change the address for mail at the location you are listing. The staff member will scan your ID and enter your information into the USPS system. The change typically takes effect the next business day, though it may take up to three business days in some cases.

Filing in person is particularly useful if you have questions about how the address change works or if you need to explain a complex situation. For example, if you are changing the address for a rental property or a business, postal staff can provide information about whether the standard address change form is the right option or whether you need to use a different process. In-person filing also produces a receipt that you can take home immediately, which provides proof that you filed the change.

Post office hours vary by location, but most offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours and have limited Saturday hours. Some locations close on Sundays. Checking your local post office hours before visiting will save you a trip.

Practical Takeaway: Visit your post office during less busy times, such as mid-morning on a weekday, to avoid lines and to have more time to discuss your situation with postal staff. Bring your ID and be prepared to sign the form for each person whose mail will be forwarded.

Understanding Temporary and Permanent Address Changes

USPS offers two types of address changes: temporary and permanent. Knowing which type you need is important because each serves a different situation and has different timeframes.

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A temporary address change is used when you will be living at a new location for a limited period and then returning to your original address. This might apply if you are taking a job in another city for six months, moving in with family during a home renovation, or relocating temporarily due to a lease situation. When you file a temporary change, you specify both the new address and the date when your original address should resume receiving mail. Temporary address changes can be set for periods ranging from a few weeks to one year. USPS will automatically stop forwarding your mail on the end date you specify and revert to delivering mail to your original address. You do not need to file a second change when the temporary period ends.

A permanent address change is filed when you are moving to a new residence and do not plan to return to your previous address. This is the most common type of address change. Once filed, your mail will be forwarded to your new address indefinitely, or until you file another change. Permanent changes have no end date, so they remain active until you manually modify them through USPS.

One important distinction exists between mail forwarding and an actual address change. When you file an address change with USPS, the service forwards your mail, but it also notifies USPS databases that your address has changed. This is why filing the change through USPS (rather than simply asking a neighbor to collect your mail) is important. When organizations send you mail, they use postal databases to check for address changes. Filing with USPS ensures that these organizations receive updated information if they request it.

Address changes typically last for 12 months. If you file a change and then want to extend it, you can file an extension before the original change expires. USPS does charge a fee for extensions on standard address changes, though the initial change is free. If you move again before your current change expires, you can simply file a new change with your latest address; the new change will override the previous one.

Practical Takeaway: Before filing, determine whether your move is temporary or permanent. Temporary changes are better for short-term relocations because they automatically reset your original address without requiring you to file again. For permanent moves, use the permanent change option so you do not have to worry about your forwarding expiring.