Changing your address is just part of moving. It doesn’t matter if you are moving from apartment to apartment, buying your first home, or moving up to a bigger home.
The fact is, amongst all that chaos, you need to notify the United States Post Office of your change of address so your important mail can follow you to your new location. Once you submit the form it will take 10 to 14 days for your mail forwarding to start with the USPS.
How To Change Your Address With The USPS
There are two ways to complete your post office address change..
Online
You can change your address with the USPS at your convenience online. The official online change of address form from the United States Postal Service can be accessed at https://moversguide.usps.com/mgo/disclaimer.
The address change form is easily completed and only takes a few minutes to fill out. You will be asked to verify your identity with a credit card and you will be charged a fee of $1.05 to change your address online. The charge to your card actually is what verifies your identity.
In-Person At A USPS Location
If you would prefer not to change your address online, go to your local post office and request the Mover’s Guide packet. Inside the packet, you will find PS Form 3575.
Once you have completed the form, hand it to a postal worker at the counter, mail it in from home or drop it in the box inside your postal office.
There is no fee for submitting your USPS address change form either in person or mailing it in.
Avoid Overpaying For Changing Your Address
There are a ton of websites that will “submit” your change of address form for a fee…. a substantial fee! I have seen people pay up to $60 dollars for a change of address by using a third-party site. There is no need to pay someone to change your address and pay exhorbitant fees. A change of address can be done with out the need of one of these third party services.
Here are some tips for preventing overpaying for your change of address:
- Make sure you are on the USPS website. The URL of the website should have USPS in it.
- If you are charged anything other than $1.05 for an online address change you are not on the official USPS website.
The good news if you overpay your COA will usually be submitted, but still, there is no reason to pay more than $1.05 for your address change online.
Who Else Should I Notify of An Address Change?
Submitting a USPS address change form allows the USPS to forward any of your mail to a new address. The United States Postal Service only provides mail forwarding to your new address but does not notify any senders of your address change.
Consider notifying your banks, utilities, medical suppliers, IRS etc… that you have changed addresses.
Companies you should notify to stop services and have final bills forwarded to your new address.
- Gas and Electric
- Oil and Propane
- Phone, Cable, and Internet Providers
- Water/Sewage Department
- Garbage/Recycling Company
- Home Security Company
- Landscaper/Lawn
You will also have financial services who you should notify of your change of address.
- Bank where you have your checking and savings
- Credit card services
- Automobile loans
- Student Loans
- IRS
And, just as a final reminder notify:
- Subscription services
- Friends and Family
- Medical providers
It is a good idea to start writing down companies you need to notify as the mail comes in two or three months prior to your move.
Make not of your account numbers as well, you will need those to change your address. For most financial and service companies it is a matter of logging into your online account to change you or you can make a quick call to customer support to have your mail sent to your new address.
FAQ’s About uSPS Change of Adress
How long does my USPS change of address take?
It will take approximately 10 to 14 days before your mail is forwarded to your new address. To ensure you have your new mail delivered by your move-in date, notify the USPS at least 14 days in advance.
How do I check the status of my USPS change of address?
If it has been at least two weeks since filing your change of address form checking your usps change of address is easy. You can call customer support at 1-800-ASK-USPS to be transferred to the post office of the city you previously resided in for a status update.
You should also get a confirmation email or letter from the Post Office shortly after filing for a change of address, depending on how your change of address form was submitted. Hang on to your confirmation letter until the mail is properly being forwarded.
Can I temporarily change my address?
Your address change does not need to be permanent, you can file for a temporary change of address for a period of time.
Does everyone in my family have to submit a form for an address change?
You will have the option to submit a change of address form individually or for everyone in your household with the same last name.
How much does it cost to change my address with the USPS?
If you file on location or through the mail your address change is free. If you submit the change of address form online there is a cost of $1.05.
When should I submit the paperwork to change my address with the USPS?
It will take at least 10-14 days for the Post Office to process your request. Submit your request at least 14 days prior to the date you would like your mail to be forwarded to your new address.
How long will my mail be forwarded when I request a change of address with the USPS?
Your mail will be forwarded for a period of one year from the date of your request.
What if I need to extend the period of time my mail needs to be forwarded?
You can extend the period your mail will get forwarded to your new address for up to 18 past your initial period. You can sign up for a fee to extend in 6 month periods at the time of submitting your change of address form or prior to your first year of mail forwarding ending.
A USPS address change is a simple but important step to make sure you continue to get all of your important mail at your new address when you are moving.
Other Moving Resources:
- Selling your house, packing and moving is a lot of work and it usually needs to happen quickly. Check out Bill Gasset’s moving checklist for making a move out of state.
- Moving can be a big project. Paul Sian provides 8 moving tips to help get you into your new home. Tip #1 starts with getting organized early.
- A move gone bad can be stressful. Kyle Hiscock provides moving mistakes to avoid. One great tip is to realize when you need help and know when you can’t do it all alone.
USPS Change of Address is provided by Kevin Vitali of EXIT Realty. Thinking of making a move? Call Kevin at 978-360-0422.
