Post Office Change of Address

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January 10, 2023

Relocating to a new place is tough enough on its own. Not everything can go according to plan when you are organizing your belongings and moving to a new address.

Another factor that makes moving even more stressful is worrying about whether your mail will arrive at your new address or get left behind at your old home. 

However, thanks to the USPS (United States Postal Service) change-of-address program, there are various ways you can modify your mailing address.

You may wonder how to change your address and redirect your mail to the new one. Additionally, you may have questions like:

What are the specific requirements for changing your address at USPS? Can you change your address online or call USPS to change it? How much does it cost to modify your address at USPS?    

 This article discusses everything you need to know about the USPS change-of-address feature. You may also find this write-up helpful when looking for ways to change your mailing addresses.        

FindPostOffice.org is a one-stop site that offers vital information about the nearest USPS post offices in your area. 

Read on to learn more about USPS’s change-of-address program.

Change Your Address

Below is some helpful information on changing your mailing address and continuing to receive mail or renting a box at your local post office.

Program Description

The USPS Change of Address program allows you to request the courier to deliver your mail to a new address. This feature can be helpful if you move due to unexpected disasters or relocating for personal reasons.

General Program Requirements

Individuals can use USPS’s address change feature to modify their addresses and forward their mail. You may request a change for permanent and temporary moves.

Initially, the forwarding period is six months. However, currently, USPS can forward your mail within 15 days.

Changing Your Address With the Postal Service

You have two options for notifying the post office that you are temporarily or permanently changing your address. 

These are the two ways you can ask USPS to forward your mail:

How to Change Your Address Online

Visit USPS.com/move to modify your address online.

  • You will receive a confirmation email immediately. Therefore, this is the simplest and quickest change-of-address process.
  • Your online address change will cost you $1.10. You must use a valid email address and debit or credit card for the payment.

The system will charge your card an identity verification fee of $1.10. This security procedure guards you against fraud and ensures that you are the one making the changes.

  • You do not have to pay an intermediary to change your address. Fraudsters may charge $40 or more for services that you can access through the moving page of the official USPS website for $1.10.

How to Change Your Address at the Post Office

  • Obtain the Mover’s Guide packet at your local post office.
    • The packet contains the PS Form 3575, which is a change-of-address form. You should fill out this document and submit it to the postal employee at the counter.

Alternatively, you may put PS Form 3575 inside the post office’s letter mail slot.

  • You should get a confirmation letter at your new address in five business days.

When Should I Change My Address With the Post Office When Moving?

You can speed up and simplify the change-of-address procedure by informing your mail carrier of your new address and relocation date a few weeks before your move.    

Most statements and bills have sections where you can note an address change.

How to Hold Your Mail or Temporarily Change Your Mailing Address at a Post Office 

If your case is only a temporary change of address, the USPS can forward mail from your old address to your new one. The company may allow this option for 15 days to one year. 

To do this procedure, you must fill out an official USPS change-of-address form. This document contains inquiries on the sort of move, and the start and end dates for mail forwarding.

On the other hand, you can also request USPS to hold your mail for 3 to 30 days. Check whether this option is available by registering or logging in to your USPS account.

How to Change or Cancel Your Request

To cancel or modify your change-of-address (COA) order online, you should have the confirmation code you received when you placed the COA order and know your new ZIP code.

  1. Visit the USPS Manage My Move website.
  2. Put your new ZIP code and the confirmation code in the corresponding fields.
  3. Click the “Get Started” button.
  4. Then, you can edit various change-of-address fields according to your modification or cancelation needs.

If you forget your confirmation code, visit a post office and inform the postal clerk about any modifications you want to make to your COA order.

Can I Call to Change My Address With USPS?

You can only change your postal address online or at your local post office. 

If you want further information, call TTY: 1-800-877-8339 or 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).

You can also discuss your case with a postmaster or the station manager at a local post office.

Are You Eligible for Changing Your Address Online?

Typical requirements to become eligible to change address online includes having a social security number and identification (ID) card.

Generally, you are not qualified for address change online if you have an address outside of the U.S. or an APO (Army Post Office) or FPO (Fleet Post Office) address.

Still, some government agencies may add eligibility requirements for changing mailing addresses. 

For example, California’s DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) may be ineligible for address change online if you have a leased vehicle or a California state-issued commercial driver’s license. 

How to Change Your Address With Government Agencies

You must also update your address at other state or federal agencies. These government offices may include the IRS (the Internal Revenue Service), Social Security, and the USCIS (the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). 

Note that you may take different steps to contact those institutions when changing your address. 

For example, these are the ways you can contact the IRS when modifying your address:

  • IRS form: Use Form 8822 or Form 8822-B
  • Written statement:  Send the IRS a signed document with your:
    • Full Name
    • Old and new address
    • Social Security number, ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), or EIN (Employer Identification Number)

Send your signed document to the address where you submitted your last return.

  • Tax return: Use your new address when filing your tax return
  • Oral notification: Inform the IRS by telephone or in person. The agency will require you to verify your identity and original address. You will need to provide the following information:
    • Full name
    • New and old address
    • Date of birth
    • Social Security number, EIN, or ITIN

If you and your spouse filed a joint return and are still living together, then the two of you must fill out the statement or form with your names, new addresses, social security numbers, and signatures. 

However, you should inform the IRS of your new addresses if you jointly filed a return and have since moved to different residences.

Address changes via USPS may also update your address of record on file with other government agencies. 

However, not all post offices forward government checks, so you should notify these government agencies even if you have already informed the USPS.

You may click on the following links to see each government office’s specific change-of-address requirements:

How to Rent or Renew a Post Office Box

Here are the steps for renting a post office (P.O.) box:

  1. Apply online: Search, reserve, and pay for a box at a local post office.
  2. Pick up your keys yourself: Bring your completed application and two forms of valid ID to the post office (the location of your box) to secure your keys.
  3. Receive mail at your convenience: Flexible hours allow USPS clients to check their P.O. box on their preferred schedule.

There are four ways you can renew your P.O. box:

  1. At a self-service kiosk: Look for a kiosk and follow its payment procedure.
  2. Renew by mail: Send a money order or check payable to U.S. Postal Service to the station manager where your P.O. box is located. 

You may also include the P.O. box number on the check’s memo line.

  1. Online with a credit or debit card: Visit the PO Boxes Online application to renew. This option is available 30 days before your next payment’s due.
  2. Visit the Post Office where your box is located: Pay by cash, credit card, or check.

How to File a Complaint About a Post Office

Do you have a compliment, complaint, or recommendation for USPS? Maybe you are searching for more information about USPS’s services. 

These are some ways to let the agency know about your concerns:

  • Use the USPS Email Us form. Choose an inquiry type that most closely relates to your question or complaint. The USPS website also allows clients to request a refund for shipping or file a claim.
  • Contact 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or TTY: 1-800-877-8339.
  • Discuss your issue with the station manager at a local post office.
  • Contact the district consumer office that handles your area’s postal consumer and industry concerns.
  • Send an email to the USPS Headquarters Consumer Advocate office at

United States Postal Service

Office of the Consumer Advocate

475 L’ Enfant Plaza, SW

Washington, D.C. 20260-0004

How to Hire Movers and Avoid Moving Fraud

Remember the following tips to avoid moving scams:

  • Ask for a representative to visit your house to provide a reasonable moving cost estimate.
  • Obtain written quotes from several movers. Estimates often depend on the number of movers required, the amount of time necessary for the relocation, and the number of rooms you want to move.
  • Check the company’s insurance coverage if your belongings get damaged during the transfer.
  • Request the moving company’s  U.S. DOT (Department of Transportation) number.
  • Check with your state attorney general or municipal, county, or state consumer affairs office to verify if there is a history of complaints against the moving company.

Also, avoid doing the following things:

  • Accepting a cost estimate over the phone
  • Signing a blank contract
  • Paying for the move in cash or in advance
  • Permitting movers to start packing your belongings into their truck without reviewing the estimate and contract again

You may visit https://www.usa.gov/moving for more information on how to report moving scams.

Why Did USPS Charge Me $40 to Change My Address?

USPS offers its clients many free services. 

However, even if some of the services are not free, most are affordable, like standard mail forwarding services. On the other hand, premium services may sometimes require a higher fee.

USPS’ premium forwarding service may cost you the following:

  • $23.90 enrollment fee if you enroll at a post office
  • $21.95 enrollment fee if you enroll online
  • $23.90 fee for each week of service

You may contact USPS or visit a local post office if you want to confirm whether you have to pay $40 to change your address.

Find Zip Codes and Post Offices at Find Post Office

You may use FindPostOffice.org’s online tool to find ZIP codes and post office addresses. 

Zip Code

Click here to use the ZIP Code lookup tool for searching a ZIP Code by city or address. 

Post Office

You may also browse post office locations by state using our interactive map. This tool can provide you with the street addresses of post offices near you. 

References 

  1. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Change of Address
    https://www.disasterassistance.gov/get-assistance/forms-of-assistance/4725
  2. Change Your Address and Other U.S. Post Office Services
    https://www.usa.gov/post-office
  3. Change of Address
    https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/online-change-of-address-coa-system/
  4. Address Changes
    https://www.irs.gov/faqs/irs-procedures/address-changes