The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the average American moves over 11 times in their life. That’s a lot of moving! When you prepare to move, you think of the obvious things like finding packing supplies and hiring movers. One often-forgotten task is changing your mailing address, but it’s key to making sure you don’t miss any mail, from tax documents to birthday cards. We’ve broken down the steps you need to take to change your USPS mailing address and keep all of your love letters (and bills) coming to you. We’ll then cover a few other address change details and FAQs to help you prepare for your move.
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Changing Your USPS Mailing Address
The organization that delivers traditional mail in the United States is the United States Postal Service (USPS). So after moving, one key step is to change your USPS mailing address. When you change your address, you can choose one or more individuals at your residence to have their mail forwarded to a new location.
There are two easy options for changing your USPS mailing address. You can change your address online or in person.
Online Address Change
To change your address online, go to USPS.com/move. This will lead you to the five steps listed on the USPS website. First, choose if you are moving as an individual, family, or business, and fill out the website’s forms, including contact forms and address forms. At this stage, you can also choose if the move is temporary or permanent. Next, verify that your information is correct, and verify your identity. Finally, pay for the transaction. To change your address online, there is a fee of $1.10 that you must pay with a credit or debit card. This fee is for identity verification purposes to protect you against fraud and ensure that you are the one making the change of address request.
This is the fastest and easiest way to change your mailing address with the USPS. After completing the final step, you will receive a confirmation email that your mailing address has been changed.
In-Person Address Change
To change your mailing address in person, go to your nearest post office. Make sure you bring a form of identification with a photograph, like a driver’s license. Upon arrival, request the Mover’s Guide packet. This will break down the basics of changing your address, such as what information you will need. First, you will fill out PS Form 3575 located inside the Mover’s Guide. This is a hard copy of the change of address form.
Next, give the form to a postal worker. They’ll use your ID to verify your identity, and then you’re good to go! There is no fee to change your mailing address in person.
If you aren’t ready to turn in the PS Form 3575 at the post office, you can also mail it to any US post office.
After you have completed the above steps, the USPS will mail a moving validation letter to your current address to notify you that the request has gone through. Also, five days before your selected change of address date, you will receive a customer notification letter in the mail at your new address, along with a confirmation code.
Other Address Changes
Unfortunately, changing your post office mailing address while moving only affects mail or packages. All state and personal records must be updated separately from the USPS change of address form.
For example, to change your voter registration address, you must visit USA.Gov and fill out their change of voter registration form. In addition, to change your address with a school, health care provider, etc., contact them directly.
In addition, the USPS typically forwards your mail for only a year following your move. After this, mail that goes to your old address will be returned to the sender. Therefore, it’s important to update your address in as many places as possible.
Driver’s License Address Changes
Driver’s license address changes are important and are separate from post office address changes. The steps for this change rely on state protocol and laws. Some states allow you to change your driver’s license address on your state’s DMV website. But if you’re moving out of state, you might need to visit the DMV in your new state with certain documents.
For example, if you already live in Iowa and want to change your driver’s license address, visit the closest driver’s license center. You will be charged a $10 fee for this service. If you’re moving to Iowa from another state, you will need to swing by the DMV with documents proving your identity, SSN, new address, and more.
If you move within North Carolina, you have 60 days to update your driver’s license address, but you can do it online. For a move to North Carolina from elsewhere, you need to visit the DMV with your current driver’s license, proof of SSN, proof of address, and more.
In South Carolina, you only have 10 days to change the address on your license after an in-state move. This can be done online. If you’re newly moving to South Carolina, you need to visit a DMV with documents proving your identity, SSN, and current address.
Mailing Address Change FAQs
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When Should I Change My USPS Mailing Address?
The USPS stops delivering mail to your previous address on the change of address (COA) date you select when you fill out the change of address form. That means you get to decide when you would like to stop receiving mail at your current address.
In addition, your mail will begin arriving at your new address 7–10 business days after your selected COA date. With all this in mind, make sure you add your change of address to your moving checklist as a task to accomplish at least a week in advance of your moving day.
Also, about two weeks before your move, notify anyone who regularly sends you mail about your change of address to ensure smooth delivery to your new home.
What If I Don’t Have a New Permanent Address Yet?
Sometimes people move out without having a new permanent address yet. This might entail things like putting your possessions in a storage unit—and figuring out what to do about your mail. Luckily, you have a few options here.
If you’re living somewhere else for a short time before moving on, you can submit a USPS temporary change of address request. With this request, the USPS will forward your mail to a temporary address for any period between two weeks and six months. Also, you can extend the forwarding if needed.
In addition, you can get a virtual mailbox. This service will scan your mail and let you access it digitally. Expect to pay anywhere between $5 to $50 per month for this type of service.
Lastly, the USPS will hold your mail for up to 30 days. You can request this service online.
What If I Forget to Change My Mailing Address?
If you forget to change your address, you might miss important mail, which could have negative implications. For instance, if you don’t receive your jury summons and fail to appear, many states can penalize you.
Still, you can change your USPS mailing address at any time after moving, so it’s easy to rectify your mistake!
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot of ground! Now you know how to change your USPS mailing address before moving, both online and in person. You also know where else you should change your address, as well as answers to some FAQs. By getting tasks like this done early, you’ll be ready to ace your moving day and settle into a new place in no time.
More FAQs
It depends! There is no fee for changing your address in person at the post office. If you opt to change your mailing address online, there is a verification fee of $1.10.
If you changed your address online, you will receive a confirmation email immediately after completing the transaction. If you changed your mailing address in person, you will be mailed a moving validation letter detailing the change of address information you specified in your form. You will also receive this letter if you changed your address online.
Make sure you notify banks and financial institutions; utilities; internet, phone, and cable companies; insurance companies; doctors, dentists, and lawyers; employers; subscription services; and your voter registration.