Learn About Changing Your USPS Delivery Address

Understanding USPS Address Changes and When You Might Need One

The United States Postal Service (USPS) processes mail delivery to millions of addresses across the country every day. Sometimes your circumstances change, and you need your mail to go to a different location. Whether you're moving to a new house, temporarily relocating for work, or need mail sent to a business address, understanding how address changes work is the first step.

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There are several situations where changing your delivery address becomes necessary. The most common reason is a permanent move to a new residence. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 10-11% of Americans move in any given year, meaning millions of households update their addresses annually. Beyond permanent moves, people also change addresses temporarily—perhaps during a renovation project, a seasonal relocation, or while staying with family during a transition period.

Address changes affect more than just your mail. Utility companies, banks, insurance providers, subscription services, and government agencies all rely on the address you have on file. When you change your USPS delivery address, you may need to update your information with these organizations separately. Some businesses allow you to manage address changes online, while others may require you to call or visit in person.

Understanding the difference between temporary and permanent address changes is important because USPS handles them differently. A permanent change is indefinite—your mail will be forwarded to your new address until you request another change. A temporary address change typically lasts for a set period, usually up to one year, and then automatically expires. Choosing the correct type of change prevents confusion and ensures your mail reaches you properly.

Practical Takeaway: Before initiating an address change with USPS, make a list of all organizations and services that have your current address on file. This helps you prepare to update each one and prevents mail from going to an outdated location.

How to Change Your Address With USPS: Online Method

The easiest and fastest way to change your address with USPS is through their official website using the Postal Service's online form. USPS allows customers to file address changes online through their Change of Address (COA) service at usps.com. This method is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provides confirmation immediately.

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To file an address change online, you'll need to visit the USPS website and navigate to the Change of Address service. The process requires you to provide specific information: your full name, your current address, the date you want the change to take effect, and your new address. You'll also need to verify your identity, which USPS does by asking questions that only the real address holder would know—typically questions based on credit report information or other public records.

The online process takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Once submitted, you'll receive a confirmation that includes a confirmation number. Keep this number for your records. USPS begins processing the address change typically within one business day, though sometimes changes take effect immediately. The service costs $1.10 for an online change as of 2024, which is a one-time fee.

One advantage of the online method is that you can choose to file the change for a single person or for multiple family members living at the same address. If you're moving as a family, you can process everyone's address change at once, or you can file separate changes for each person. This flexibility is useful when family members are moving at different times or when some people are relocating while others remain at the current address.

After you submit your online change, mail forwarding typically begins within three to five business days. During this transition period, some mail may still arrive at your old address. It's common for the first week or two after your change takes effect to receive mail at both locations as the postal system adjusts.

Practical Takeaway: File your address change at least two weeks before your move date to give USPS time to process your request and begin forwarding mail to your new location.

Submitting Address Changes In Person at the Post Office

If you prefer to handle your address change in person, you can visit your local USPS post office and file the change with a postal clerk. This method works well if you have questions about the process, need assistance filling out the form, or want to discuss specific details about your move with a representative who can answer immediately.

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When you visit the post office to change your address, bring a valid government-issued photo ID—such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The postal clerk will ask you to fill out a form, which is the same Change of Address form used for online submissions, though in paper format. The clerk may ask you some verification questions to confirm your identity before processing your request.

The in-person change also costs $1.10 for a one-time fee. However, the advantage is that you can handle any additional questions or concerns immediately. For example, if you're uncertain about your new address format or need to discuss mail delivery to an apartment complex or business location, a postal clerk can provide information specific to your situation.

Post offices typically have shorter wait times early in the morning, usually between 8 and 10 a.m., or later in the afternoon after the lunch rush. If you visit during peak hours—around midday or right after work—you may wait longer. Planning your visit during off-peak times can make the process faster and less stressful.

When you submit your address change in person, you'll receive a receipt with your confirmation number, just as you would with the online method. This receipt serves as proof that you filed the change, which can be useful if there are any questions later about when your change was submitted.

Practical Takeaway: Visit your local post office early in the morning on a weekday if you want to file your address change in person, as these times typically have shorter wait periods.

Understanding Temporary Address Changes and Special Situations

USPS offers temporary address changes for situations where you won't be at your regular address for a limited time. This option is useful if you're traveling for an extended period, undergoing home renovations, staying in temporary housing during a move, or dealing with other circumstances that keep you away from your permanent address temporarily. Temporary changes typically last up to one year and then automatically expire.

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To file a temporary address change, you use the same online system or visit your post office in person, but you select "temporary" instead of "permanent" and specify an end date for the forwarding period. For example, if you're having your house remodeled for four months, you might file a temporary change to your temporary address starting on the renovation date and ending four months later when you expect to return home.

Temporary changes are also useful for military personnel who are stationed overseas, business professionals who maintain multiple residences, and students who split time between school and home addresses. If you're a college student, for instance, you might file a temporary address change to have mail sent to your campus address during the school year, then file another temporary change back to your home address during summer break.

There are specific situations that warrant special attention when changing addresses. If you receive mail from government agencies—such as Social Security, Medicare, Veterans Affairs, or the IRS—you may need to contact those agencies separately to update your address. USPS forwards mail from most organizations automatically, but government agencies sometimes require direct notification. This is particularly important if you're receiving checks or sensitive documents.

If you're moving internationally, USPS does not forward mail outside the United States. Instead, you'll need to arrange for mail forwarding through other means, such as having a trusted person collect your mail or contracting with a mail forwarding service that maintains a U.S. address and forwards mail to your international location.

Practical Takeaway: If your situation is temporary, specifically choose the temporary address change option rather than a permanent one, and make a calendar note of when the forwarding period ends so you're not caught off guard when mail stops being forwarded.

What Happens After You File an Address Change

Understanding the timeline of what happens after you file your address change helps you manage expectations and prepare for potential mail delivery gaps. When you submit your address change to USPS—whether online or in person—the Postal Service doesn't immediately start forwarding mail. Instead, they enter your change into their system and begin processing it over the next few business days.

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USPS typically begins mail forwarding three to five business days after you submit your change request. During this processing window,