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How to Change Your Mailing Address
By Cassidy Horton MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Moving comes with a long list of to-dos. You need to decide which belongings to get rid of, pack up the rest, coordinate with a moving company, and attend to the dozens of details associated with changing your residence. One important to-do you don’t want to forget is changing your address. To ensure you don’t miss any important notices once you’re moved, here’s all you need to know about how to change your mailing address.
- What do you need to change your mailing address?
- A step-by-step guide to an official USPS change of address
- Other places to change your mailing address
- How to change to an international address
- How long does it take to change your mailing address?
- How to change your mailing address FAQs
What do you need to change your mailing address?
Before changing your mailing address, be sure to have the following information ready.
Old and new addresses
Whether you decide to change your address online or via a paper form, you’ll need to provide both your old and new addresses.
A valid credit or debit card
If you decide to file your change of address (COA) online, you’ll need a valid credit or debit card to pay the identity verification fee. Don’t worry — with a cost of just $1.10, it will be one of your least expensive moving costs.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) accepts Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express credit and debit cards. However, prepaid or gift cards aren’t allowed.
Mail forwarding start date
You’ll also need to know the date you want your mail to start being forwarded to your new address. Keep in mind, it typically takes seven to 10 business days after the start date for mail to begin arriving. For that reason, the USPS recommends that you make the request two weeks before your move-in date.
A valid email address
If you file the COA request online, a valid email address will be required so the USPS can send you a confirmation email.
Step-by-step guide to an official USPS change of address
Now that you know what you’ll need, here’s how you can change your mailing address with the USPS online or in person.
File the change online with the USPS
In many cases, the fastest way to change your address is to make the request online through the change-of-address page on USPS.com. Here’s how it works.
1. Declare you’re authorized to make the change
When you arrive on the change of address page, you’ll need to confirm that you’re authorized to file the request. You must be requesting to change your own address or be authorized to make the change on behalf of someone else.
2. Provide the change of address details
Next, you’ll need to provide the required information so the change of address can be processed, including:
- Who’s moving: An individual, family, or business
- Your contact information: Name, email address, phone number, and phone type
- Type of move: Temporary (plan to move back to your old address within six months) or permanent
- Mail forwarding date: When your mail should start being forwarded to the new address
- Old address: The street address from which you’re moving
- New address: The street address of your new home
Once you’ve filled out all the information, you’ll need to confirm it’s all correct and click “Next.”
3. Decide if you want extended mail forwarding
When you file a change of address, your mail will be forwarded to your new address for a certain amount of time. With a permanent change of address, most mail classes are forwarded for 12 months. However, periodicals like magazines are only forwarded for 60 days.
If you’d like to extend the forwarding service on all mail classes, you can do so for an additional fee.
USPS mail forwarding fees are as follows:
- Six months: $19.95
- 12 months: $29.95
- 18 months: $39.95
5. Pay the identity verification fee
The next step is to provide your billing address and verify your identity with a valid credit or debit card. The card you provide will be charged the $1.10 identity verification fee.
6. Validate your change of address request
Once your change request has been made, you’ll receive a confirmation email and a physical letter with a 9-digit alphanumeric code. You’ll need to follow the letter’s instructions to confirm the change.
File the change at your local Post Office
If you’d rather request the change in person, here’s what to do.
1. Go to your nearest Post Office
Your local post office can also help you make the change. You can find the one nearest you via a navigation app or on the USPS Locations page. Once you arrive, ask for the Mover’s Guide packet.
2. Fill out PS Form 3575
Inside the Mover’s Guide packet, you’ll find PS Form 3575 (Mail Forwarding Change of Address Order). Fill out the form and either drop it in the letter mail slot or give it to one of the workers behind the counter.
3. Confirmation letter
A confirmation letter will then be sent to your new address. You should receive it within five business days. Follow the instructions to confirm your address change.
Other places to change your mailing address
When you change your address with the USPS, it ensures you get your mail through mail forwarding. However, you’ll likely want to directly update other important agencies like the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) as soon as possible. Here’s how.
IRS for federal taxes
To change your address with the IRS, you’ll need to file Form 8822, Change of Address. The form asks for your name, social security number, old address, new address, and signature.
You’ll also need to designate if the change will affect your individual income tax returns and/or your gift, estate, or generation-skipping transfer tax returns. Unfortunately, this form can’t be filed electronically. You’ll need to mail it to the address listed on the form’s instructions.
Social Security Administration
To change your address with the Social Security Administration (SSA), create a free my Social Security online account. Once the account is set up, you can log in, click the “My Profile” tab, select “Contact,” and update your address information. Then you’ll need to confirm the information’s accurate and submit the change.
Veteran benefits
If you’re entitled to VA benefits and services, you’ll want to update your address with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as well. You can do so online through your va.gov profile.
Once logged into your account, navigate to the “Contact Information” section. Add your new address, save the changes, and it will update your VA health care, disability compensation, pension benefits, claims and appeals, and Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E).
If you have other benefits (education, home loan, life insurance, etc.), you’ll need to contact each VA department separately. You can find all of the contact details you need on the VA’s change of address page.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Need to update your address with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), too? You can do so online through a USCIS account or by filing Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card.
Department of Motor Vehicles
It’s also a good idea to contact your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV) to update the address on your driver’s license and vehicle registration. Depending on your state and situation, you may be able to make the request online, by mail, or in-office. For example, California has an online change of address service, but it’s not available to people who lease vehicles, have addresses outside of the U.S., and some others. Check the official website of your state’s transportation department to find out what you need to do.
How to change to an international address
International address changes can’t be filed online with the USPS. If you’re in the U.S. and are moving to an international address, you’ll need to fill out form PS 3575 and deliver it to your local Post Office.
If you’re already out of the country and forgot to file the address change before you left, you can send a letter to your old Post Office explaining the situation. USPS says to include the details that are on the PS Form 3575.
Lastly, if you’re out of the country and are moving back to the U.S., you’ll need to contact the foreign country’s postal administration about mail forwarding.
How long does it take to change your mailing address
You can expect mail to start arriving at your new address within seven to 10 business days of the requested change of address start date.
How to change your mailing address FAQs
What happens if you move and do not change your mailing address?
If you move and don't file a change your address with USPS, your mail will continue to be delivered to the old address on file. Your mail carrier will then pick up the accumulated mail and leave a notice that the mail is available at the local post office. Post offices hold accumulated mail for 10 days before returning it to the senders (when possible), or discarding it.
How to cancel your change of address?
To cancel a change of address with the USPS, you can head over to USPS's manage my move page. You'll need your confirmation code and the new zip code you entered on the original request form. You can then modify or cancel your existing request.
Summary of our guide on how to change your mailing address
To ensure smooth sailing on your upcoming move, file a change of address form with the USPS two weeks before your move-in date. Additionally, it’s a good idea to reach out to other organizations that send you important notices such as the DMV and IRS, along with your credit card companies and health insurance provider. While the USPS helps to ensure you get your mail via mail forwarding, you’ll want to directly update all of your accounts and contacts as soon as you can.
Moving soon and not sure where to find a reliable moving company? Check out our top picks for the best long-distance and interstate moving companies.
Cassidy Horton is a finance writer based in Seattle, Washington. With an MBA and a bachelor's in public relations, her work has been published over a thousand times by The Balance, Finder.com, Money Under 30, Clever Girl Finance, and many more. Cassidy is a self-confessed money nerd who’s passionate about helping people find financial freedom. Oh, and she really loves cats.