You can set up mail forwarding online, by mail, or in person at your local post office

USPS mail forwarding takes about one business day to set up once the Postal Service processes your request. You have three ways to start: the USPS website (Change of Address), a paper form at your post office, or in person. The online route is fastest and costs $1.10 for a single address change lasting up to 12 months. Paper forms take longer but work if you do not have internet access or prefer a physical record.

Mail forwarding does not redirect everything. First-class mail, periodicals, and standard mail all forward. Marketing mail, packages, and certified mail do not — those still go to your old address unless the sender has updated records. Government mail, including tax documents and benefit notices, may not forward if the agency mailing it has not updated your address in their system. You need to notify each institution separately: your bank, employer, government agencies, and any other sender that matters to you.

The forwarding period you choose matters. A 12-month forward costs $1.10 and covers most moves. A temporary forward (30 days) is free and useful if you are unsure about your final address. Temporary forwards are also the right choice if you are moving for work or travel and plan to return. Once the forward expires, mail stops redirecting and returns to your old address as undeliverable.

Key Takeaways

  • USPS mail forwarding costs $1.10 for 12 months online and takes one business day to start working after you submit the request.
  • Mail forwarding does not cover packages, certified mail, or marketing mail, so you must notify senders directly if those matter to you.
  • Government agencies and financial institutions do not automatically know about your move, so update your address with each one separately.
  • You can set up forwarding online at USPS.com, by mail using Form 3575, or in person at any post office with a photo ID and proof of your new address.
  • Temporary 30-day forwards are free and useful if you are not sure where you will land; 12-month forwards cost $1.10 and cover most permanent moves.

Setting up forwarding online at USPS.com

Go to USPS.com and click "Mail & Packages" in the top menu, then select "Change of Address." You will land on the USPS Informed Delivery page. Click the blue "Start" button under "Change of Address" to begin. You will need your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, your old address, your new address, and a valid payment method (debit card or credit card).

Enter your old address exactly as it appears on mail you receive there. If you have lived at that address for less than two months, USPS will ask for proof — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. Upload a photo or scan of the document. For your new address, enter it as completely as possible, including apartment or unit number if you have one. USPS will verify the address against its database; if it does not recognize the format, you may need to adjust spacing or abbreviations.

Choose your forwarding period. Select 12 months for a permanent move (costs $1.10) or 30 days for a temporary move (free). You can extend a temporary forward later if needed. Enter your payment information and confirm. USPS will send a confirmation email to the address you provide. The forward becomes active the next business day.

Using the paper form at your post office

Request Form 3575 (process for a Temporary Change of Address) at any post office window. Fill it out by hand with your old address, new address, and the date you want the forward to start. You can choose 15 days, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, or 12 months. Paper forms do not cost anything to submit, but you cannot pay online — you pay at the counter when you hand in the form.

Bring a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and proof of your new address. Proof can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days and showing your name and new address. If you do not have a recent document, bring a signed letter from your landlord or property manager on their letterhead confirming your move-in date and new address.

Hand the completed form and documents to the postal clerk. They will make copies and give you a receipt. The forward takes effect the next business day. Processing is slower than online — expect three to five business days for the system to fully set up — but you have a paper receipt showing exactly what you submitted.

Requesting forwarding in person without a form

You can also walk into any post office and ask the clerk to set up a change of address without filling out Form 3575. Bring your photo ID and proof of your new address (same documents as above). Tell the clerk your old address, new address, and how long you want the forward to last. They will enter the information into the system at the counter and charge you $1.10 for a 12-month forward or nothing for a temporary forward.

This method is useful if you are not comfortable with online forms or do not have internet access at home. The forward activates the next business day, the same as online. You will receive a confirmation notice in the mail at your new address within a few days. Keep that notice in case you need to prove the forward was set up.

What happens to mail that cannot be forwarded

Packages, certified mail, and signature-required mail do not forward automatically. If a package arrives at your old address after your forward is active, the carrier will attempt delivery once. If no one is there, they will return it to the sender. Certified mail and registered mail go back to the sender as undeliverable. Marketing mail (bulk mail, flyers, coupons) does not forward either.

Government mail is unpredictable. Some agencies update their records when you file a change of address with USPS; others do not. Social Security, the IRS, and state tax agencies do not automatically sync with USPS. You must notify them separately using their own address-change processes. The same applies to your bank, employer, insurance company, and any subscription service. USPS forwarding is a safety net, not a complete solution.

If you are expecting a specific package or important document, contact the sender directly and provide your new address before you move. This is especially important for tax refunds, benefit payments, court documents, and anything sent by certified mail.

Extending or canceling a forward

If you set up a temporary 30-day forward and decide you need more time, you can extend it online or at the post office. Go back to USPS.com, click "Change of Address," and select "Manage Your Current Address Change." You will need to verify your identity with your Social Security number. You can extend the forward up to 12 months total from the original start date. Each extension costs $1.10.

To cancel a forward before it expires, use the same "Manage Your Current Address Change" tool online or visit your post office and ask the clerk to stop the forward. Cancellation takes effect the next business day. If you cancel and then realize you need it again, you will have to set up a new forward and pay the fee again.

Updating your address with banks, government agencies, and employers

USPS forwarding buys you time, but it is not a substitute for notifying the institutions that send you important mail. Contact your bank and credit card companies through their websites or by phone and update your mailing address. Most allow you to change it online in your account settings. Do the same for your employer's payroll department, your health insurance company, and any investment or retirement accounts you hold.

For government mail, contact each agency separately. The IRS has its own address-change process on IRS.gov or by phone. Social Security requires you to visit a local office or call 1-800-772-1213. Your state's tax agency, motor vehicle department, and voter registration office all maintain separate address records. If you receive unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, or other state benefits, update your address with those programs directly.

Updating addresses with these institutions takes a few minutes each but prevents mail from bouncing back and ensures you receive time-sensitive notices. Do this before you move if possible, or within the first week after you arrive at your new address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does USPS forwarding work for packages and certified mail?

No. Packages, certified mail, and signature-required mail do not forward. They are returned to the sender as undeliverable if they arrive after your forward starts. Contact any sender expecting to mail you a package and provide your new address directly before you move.

How long does it take for mail forwarding to start working?

One business day after USPS processes your request. If you submit online on a Monday, forwarding begins Tuesday. Paper forms take three to five business days because they must be manually entered into the system. The confirmation notice arrives at your new address within a few days.

Can I set up forwarding for someone else's mail?

No. USPS requires the person whose name is on the mail to request the forward. You must provide a photo ID matching the name on the mail. If you are moving a household with multiple people, each person must set up their own forward or authorize you in writing with a notarized power of attorney.

What if I do not have proof of my new address yet?

If you have lived at your new address for less than 60 days, bring a signed letter from your landlord or property manager on their letterhead confirming your move-in date and address. A utility bill in your name, even if just a deposit receipt, also works. If you cannot get any document, ask the post office clerk what they can accept.

Can I set up a forward to a PO box?

Yes. Your new address can be a PO box, a street address, or an apartment. Enter it exactly as you want mail addressed to you. If you are using a PO box, include the box number in the address line.