What USPS Mail Forwarding Does and Why You Might Need It

USPS mail forwarding tells the postal service to send your mail to a new address for a set period of time. The Post Office physically redirects pieces addressed to your old location to wherever you specify — typically for six months, one year, or eighteen months. This matters for your finances because mail carries tax documents, bank statements, insurance notices, and benefit letters that you need to see and act on.

If you move and do not set up forwarding, you may miss payment important date, fail to notice fraud, or never receive important government correspondence about programs you are enrolled in. Setting up forwarding takes about ten minutes and costs between $1.10 and $1.60 depending on the length of service.

Key Takeaways

  • You can set up mail forwarding online at usps.com, by phone at 1-800-275-8777, or in person at your local Post Office — online is fastest and requires a credit or debit card.
  • The Post Office needs your current address, your new address, the date you want forwarding to start, and how long you want it to last (six months, one year, or eighteen months).
  • Forwarding takes effect within three to five business days after you submit your order, so submit it before you move if possible.
  • You should still update your address directly with your bank, insurance company, employer, and any government programs you receive benefits from — forwarding is a safety net, not a replacement.

Setting Up Forwarding Online (Fastest Option)

The online method at usps.com is the quickest route and works any time of day. Go to usps.com, find the "Mail & Packages" section, and look for "Change of Address." You will be asked to enter your current address, your new address, and the date you want the change to take effect. You can choose to forward mail for six months, one year, or eighteen months.

The Post Office will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your credit history — this is a standard check to prevent someone else from redirecting your mail. Once you pass that step, you pay the fee with a credit or debit card. You will receive a confirmation number by email. The forwarding typically starts within three to five business days.

If you do not have a credit or debit card, or if you prefer to speak to someone, you can call 1-800-275-8777 and a representative will walk you through the same process over the phone. They will take payment information verbally.

Setting Up Forwarding in Person at Your Local Post Office

You can also walk into any Post Office location and request a change of address in person. Bring a photo ID and your current address. The clerk will hand you Form 3575, which is the official change-of-address form. You fill in your current address, new address, and the date you want forwarding to start, then choose your forwarding duration.

Payment is the same — $1.10 for six months, $1.60 for one year, and $1.60 for eighteen months. You can pay with cash, check, or card. The clerk will give you a receipt with a confirmation number. Processing time is the same as online: three to five business days.

The in-person route is useful if you are uncomfortable with online transactions, if you want to ask questions about what will and will not forward, or if you need to set up forwarding for multiple addresses at once (for example, if you own a business and are moving your office).

What Happens After You Submit Your Order

Once your forwarding is active, the Post Office will redirect mail addressed to your old address to your new one. This includes regular mail, magazines, and packages. However, some mail does not forward automatically: first-class mail addressed to "Occupant" or "Current Resident" will not follow you, and neither will mail from government agencies that have their own address-update systems.

Forwarding is not when ready. Mail that arrives at your old address during the three- to five-day processing window may not forward — this is why submitting your order before you move is important. Once forwarding is active, redirected mail typically arrives at your new address within a few extra days (so a piece that would normally take three days may take five or six).

Your forwarding will end on the date you chose. If you need to extend it, you can set up a new forwarding order before the first one expires, or you can contact the Post Office to renew.

Why You Still Need to Update Your Address Directly

Mail forwarding is a safety net, not a complete solution. You should update your address directly with your bank, credit card companies, insurance providers, employer, and any government programs you receive benefits from. This ensures that important documents arrive on time and that your records are accurate.

Government agencies in particular often have their own systems and may not recognize a USPS forwarding order. If you receive unemployment benefits, food information, housing support, or any other program benefit, log into your account or call the program directly to update your address. The same applies to tax documents — update your address with the IRS and your state tax authority so that refunds and notices reach you.

Forwarding also costs money and has an expiration date. Updating your address directly with each organization is free and permanent until you change it again.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If mail is still arriving at your old address after forwarding should be active, check your confirmation number and the start date. Forwarding does not retroactively catch mail that arrived before the service began. If you submitted your order after you moved, mail that was already in transit may have been delivered to your old address before the forwarding took effect.

If you set up forwarding but then realize you entered the wrong new address, contact the Post Office when ready. You can call 1-800-275-8777 or visit your local Post Office with your confirmation number. They can cancel the order and let you set up a new one, though you may not receive a refund depending on how far into the forwarding period you are.

If you are not receiving mail that should be forwarding, check whether the sender is using your exact old address. Mail addressed to a slightly different version of your old address (for example, "Street" instead of "St.") may not match the forwarding order and will not redirect.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does USPS mail forwarding cost?

USPS mail forwarding costs $1.10 for six months of service, and $1.60 for either one year or eighteen months. You pay once at the time you set up the order, and the service runs for the full period you choose. If you need to extend forwarding after it expires, you set up a new order and pay again.

Can I set up mail forwarding for someone else?

No. The person whose name is on the mail must set up the forwarding order themselves, or you must have a power of attorney or legal guardianship. This is a security measure to prevent mail theft. If you are moving a household with multiple people, each adult should set up their own forwarding order.

What if I move multiple times in a year?

You can set up a new forwarding order each time you move. When your first forwarding period ends, you can start a new one to your next address. The Post Office will not automatically chain forwards together, so you need to submit a new order for each move.

Does mail forwarding work for packages?

Yes. Packages addressed to your old address will forward to your new address just like regular mail. However, some carriers (UPS, FedEx) have their own systems and do not use USPS forwarding — you need to update your address with those companies separately if you are expecting packages from them.

What if I change my mind and want to cancel forwarding?

You can cancel a forwarding order before it takes effect by contacting the Post Office with your confirmation number. If forwarding is already active, you cannot cancel it, but you can set up a reverse forwarding order to send mail back to your old address — though this is rarely useful. Once forwarding expires, it straightforward stops; no action is needed on your part.