How Do You File a Change of Address With USPS, and What Are the Steps Involved?

USPS allows individuals and businesses to update their mailing address easily through online, in-person, phone, or mail-in options. Avoid common mistakes, verify details, and choose the right forwarding type to ensure uninterrupted mail delivery.

By Brad Nakase, Attorney

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Have a quick question? We answered nearly 2000 FAQs.

Table of Contents

1. How to Change Your Address with the United States Postal Service

2. Methods for Updating Your USPS Address

3. How Much It Will Cost to Change Your Address

4. Avoiding Common Errors

5. Advice for an Easy Change of Address

6. Special Cases Requiring a Change of Address

7. In summary

How to Change Your Address with the United States Postal Service

Moving to a new place is a thrilling new chapter in life, but it’s not without its difficulties. Making sure that mail gets to the right place is one of the most important things to do. When you need to change your mailing address, you may easily do so using the USPS’s Change of Address program. Businesses and individuals alike may take use of this vital service to effortlessly reroute their mail and never miss a bill, letter, or package again.

At first glance, the procedure may appear complicated, but rest assured, it is actually rather easy to navigate. Whether moving for a short time or for good, it’s helpful to know how to utilize the USPS Change of Address service. Mail forwarding is a piece of cake whether you use your mouse or swing by the post office.

It is essential in today’s fast-paced world to keep connected through timely mail delivery. The dependable service of the United States Postal Service allows movers to concentrate on settling into their new place rather than fretting over misplaced mail.

One certain approach to make sure mail gets to the appropriate place is to use the USPS Change of Address process. Businesses and individuals have the option to select either temporary or permanent forwarding. Permanent forwarding is best suited for moves that last a year or more, while temporary forwarding is more appropriate for moves that last less than a year. Candidates need to make a choice before they start the process of applying.

The first step is for customers to visit their neighborhood post office or submit an online Change of Address form. Requests submitted online (either by opening a new account or logging into an existing one) typically have a faster processing time than in-person options. In most cases, there will be a small fee associated with doing identity verification online. On the other hand, you may fill out the COA form at any post office with proper identification and pay no extra cost.

The United States Postal Service will confirm receipt at the provided address within five business days after submission. Verifying the legitimacy of the address change request is an important stage in the process. In most cases, this will happen within a week of the user’s change of address. Get in touch with USPS customer support if you run across any problems.

Methods for Updating Your USPS Address

By submitting a change of address form to the US Postal Service, you may fix any problems with mail forwarding to your new address. There are a variety of options to suit different interests and circumstances, and the procedure is simple.

1. Changing Your Address Online

By accessing the USPS website, customers have access to a streamlined online platform that allows them to easily update their address. When compared to others, this approach usually processes more quickly. To finalize the move, users just need to fill out a short form and pay a small amount using their debit or credit card to verify their identity. Users will get a confirmation email following submission, and then mail redirection will start shortly after that.

2. Address Change (In-Person)

Going to your neighborhood post office is another option for changing your address. To do this, visit any post office and fill out PS Form 3575. The chance to speak with a real person and have your questions answered by USPS employees is a benefit. Changing your address in person is a cheap and easy alternative because there are no expenses involved.

3. Choices for Phone and Mail-in

An alternative to using the internet or going to the post office is the option to submit a request by phone or mail. Calling the official USPS number allows consumers to get help from customer care and complete the transaction. For mail-in choices, you’ll need to get a PS Form 3575 and send it to the USPS filled out. Even though these methods could take more time, they nonetheless guarantee efficient address updates for clients who want to engage with service providers offline.

How Much It Will Cost to Change Your Address

When you request a change of address online with the US Postal Service, they will charge you a small cost of $1.10 to verify your identification. This payment, made with a debit or credit card, safeguards against theft. Changing your address at a local post office using PS Form 3575 incurs no additional fees. For people who would rather not use the internet or who prefer personal help, this is a great option.

A comparable $1.10 charge is applicable for persons who want to update their address via telephone in order to verify their identification. Those who are unable to use the internet portal or visit a physical post office may find this approach useful. There are no expenses associated with changing your address via mail, however there may be postage costs for delivering the form.

In accordance with USPS regulation aimed at safeguarding customer data, these payments are non-refundable as they are classified as service charges.

Avoiding Common Errors

There are a few ways in which you might mess up the USPS Change of Address process and cause mail forwarding delays or issues.

Not Notifying Others: If you don’t let your banks, subscription services, or utility companies know your new address, you might miss some messages. Along with filing with the USPS, make sure to update these organizations directly.
Incorrect Information: Mail can get sent to the wrong place if you give an incorrect or missing address. Make sure everything is correct before you submit it.
Late Submission: You risk losing critical mail if you wait to update your address until after you’ve moved. To make sure everything goes smoothly, submit the request for changes two weeks prior to the relocation.
Using the Incorrect Method of Forwarding: If you choose temporary forwarding instead of permanent, mail delivery after the service ends can be a problem. Verify that the forwarding choice is suitable for the kind of relocation.
Ignoring Confirmation Notices: If you ignore or miss the USPS confirmation letter, changes could be made that aren’t real. Before sending a letter, be sure you have received it and that all of the information is accurate.

By not making these common mistakes, people can make sure their mail gets where it needs to go without any problems.

Advice for an Easy Change of Address

It takes some planning to make sure that changing your address with USPS goes off without a hitch. It is important to start the process of changing your address at least two weeks before you move so that you have time to process everything and make any necessary adjustments. Taking this cautious approach lowers the chance of losing mail.

It is more efficient to finish the process online. Users may quickly and easily submit the necessary information and authenticate their identification using a credit or debit card on the USPS website, which guarantees fast and secure handling. When compared to offline approaches, online changes usually result in speedier processing.

Consistency between different groups is very important. Notifying financial institutions, businesses, insurance providers, and subscription services in advance helps keep vital communications running smoothly. Making a list of all these services makes confirmation and monitoring much easier.

To avoid delays, make sure to double-check the given information. There is less chance of mistakes leading to misdirected mail if you confirm the old and new addresses. Ensuring correct letter delivery and maintaining the integrity of address data both depend on carefully entering each detail.

Contacting USPS service will help you handle any issues that may arise. In the event that any problems arise throughout the change process, contacting USPS customer care can aid in quickly and efficiently resolving them.

Special Cases Requiring a Change of Address

1. Making a Request to Change Someone Else’s Address

By law, you must visit a physical Post Office branch with proper identification and, depending on the individual you are changing the address for, the following documents:

Anyone younger than eighteen years old: The document that certifies their birth
A person without the capacity to make independent decisions: Power of Attorney.
Cancel or Redirect Mail Regarding the Deceased: You need to visit a physical Post Office facility with proper identification to alter a deceased person’s mailing address. This will prove that you are the authorized representative, such as an administrator or executor. (It is insufficient to have their certificate of death.)

2. International Relocations

If you are planning to relocate outside of the US, you are required to visit a local Post Office before you depart the US to provide identification documents and file a request in person for change of address.

3. Companies

To change your company’s address at a post office, you need to bring the proper paperwork, such as a power of attorney, a notarized letter, or a letter on company stationery (signed by a leadership role) that proves you’re an “Authorized Agent” authorized to do so.

4. U.S. Military Relocations

Coordinate with your command before contacting USPS about a military move; USPS will immediately provide your AMPS relocation information. You still have the option to visit a physical location or use their website to file a request modification with USPS. If you are transferring from a military email account, your new address must end in .mil, .edu, or .gov in order to submit requests online.

Important Note

Only at Post Offices located in the fifty states and Puerto Rico is it possible to personally verify your identification. You will not be able to update your USPS mailing address or provide in-person identification verification if you are not in the US.

In summary

The USPS Change of Address service provides an easy way to manage mail redirection during a relocation, which may be a hassle otherwise. Whether it’s a temporary or permanent forwarding, individuals and companies can make sure the change goes well by using the efficient online platform and understanding the options available. Mistakes like not updating important contacts or not double-checking facts are easy to avoid. For movers, the most essential thing is getting their mail to their new residences as soon as possible. If they plan ahead and use USPS services, they can make sure that vital mail gets there quickly.

Have a quick question? We answered nearly 2000 FAQs.

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