Moving can be a stressful time, but ensuring your mail follows you to your new address doesn’t have to be. The USPS Movers Guide simplifies the process of changing your address and setting up mail forwarding. While it’s recommended to allow up to 2 weeks for mail forwarding to begin, planning ahead with the USPS Movers Guide will help ensure a smooth transition and that you don’t miss any important correspondence.
Understanding What Mail USPS Will Forward
When you use the USPS Movers Guide to forward your mail, it’s important to know what types of mail are included in this service.
- First-Class Mail and Periodicals: These, including newsletters and magazines, are forwarded at no cost to you.
- Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage: These expedited and ground services are also forwarded for free, ensuring important packages reach your new address.
- Media Mail: While Media Mail items are forwarded, there’s a cost involved. You’ll need to pay the shipping fee from your local Post Office to your new address for these items.
- USPS Marketing Mail: This type of mail is not forwarded. It’s typically discarded, so be sure to update your address with companies sending marketing materials directly.
It’s crucial to remember that using the USPS Movers Guide only updates your mailing address with the United States Postal Service. You still need to separately update your address with government agencies (like the DMV, IRS, and voter registration), financial institutions, insurance providers, online retailers, and other important services.
Where Can You Access the USPS Movers Guide to Change Your Address?
The USPS offers convenient options for changing your address through the Movers Guide, both online and in person at a Post Office.
You’ll need to visit a Post Office location to submit your change of address request in the following situations:
- Moving internationally: If your new address is outside the United States, an in-person request is required.
- Submitting on behalf of someone else: If you are an authorized agent changing an address for another person.
- Online identity verification fails: If you are unable to verify your identity through the online process.
Step-by-Step Guide: Changing Your Address Online with USPS Movers Guide
Changing your address online via the USPS Movers Guide is a straightforward process:
- Visit the Official USPS Movers Guide Website: Go to Official USPS Change of Address® website. This is the official and secure portal for address changes.
- Select Your Move Type: Choose whether you are moving as an “Individual,” “Family,” or “Business,” and fill out the online form with your old and new address information, and the date you want forwarding to begin.
- Verify Your Identity Online: For security purposes, you will need to verify your identity. You can opt to receive a verification code or link via text message to your mobile phone.
- Pay the Identity Verification Fee: There is a nominal $1.10 identity verification fee. Ensure the billing address for your credit card matches either your old or new address for successful verification.
- Confirmation and Notifications (Successful Online Verification):
- Upon successful verification, USPS will send an email confirmation containing a confirmation code, which is important if you need to modify or cancel your request later.
- A Move Validation Letter will be sent to your old address confirming the change.
- Approximately 5 business days before your mail forwarding start date, you’ll receive a Customer Notification Letter at your new address, which also includes your confirmation code and a welcome kit with coupons from USPS partners.
- Mail forwarding to your new address will then commence piece by piece.
- In-Person Verification (If Online Verification Fails): If you cannot verify your identity online, USPS will email you instructions and a barcode. Take this email and acceptable photo ID to your local Post Office to complete the verification process in person.
Changing Your Address at a Post Office Using the Movers Guide Packet
If you prefer to change your address in person, or if you are required to do so, follow these steps at your local Post Office:
- Visit Your Local Post Office: Locate your nearest Post Office using the USPS Post Office Locator. Bring acceptable photo identification with you.
- Request a Mover’s Guide Packet: Ask a retail associate for a free Mover’s Guide packet.
- Complete Form PS Form 3575: Inside the packet, you will find Form PS Form 3575, the official Change-of-Address form. Fill this out completely and accurately.
- Submit Your Form and Verify Identity: Give the completed form to the retail associate. They will verify your identity using your photo ID and process your change of address request.
What If You Can’t Verify Your Identity for USPS Movers Guide?
Identity verification is a mandatory step to prevent fraudulent address changes.
- Post Office Verification: If online verification fails, your next step is to attempt in-person verification at a Post Office with acceptable ID.
- No USPS Change of Address Possible: Unfortunately, if you cannot verify your identity either online or at a Post Office, you will not be able to complete a change of address request through USPS.
- Directly Contact Senders: In this situation, your only option is to individually notify everyone who sends you mail—friends, family, companies, and government agencies—of your new address. This is more cumbersome but necessary if USPS forwarding isn’t an option.
Special Circumstances for USPS Change of Address Requests
The USPS Movers Guide accommodates change of address requests for various special situations:
Authorized Agent (Changing Address for Someone Else): You must go to a Post Office and provide:
- Your acceptable photo ID.
- Additional documentation based on who you are assisting:
- Child under 18: Child’s birth certificate.
- Person unable to act for themselves: Power of Attorney documents.
Deceased Individuals: To manage mail for someone deceased, visit a Post Office with documentation proving you are the executor or administrator of their estate. A death certificate alone is not sufficient.
International Moves: If you are moving outside the U.S., you must visit a Post Office before leaving the U.S. to verify your identity and submit your change of address in person.
Businesses: For in-person business address changes, you’ll need documentation proving you are an “Authorized Agent,” such as a notarized letter, power of attorney, or a letter on company letterhead signed by a leader within the company.
U.S. Military Moves: Coordinate with your command for military moves first. If you still need to submit a USPS change of address, you can do so online or in person. For online military address changes originating from a military address, your email must end in .gov, .mil, or .edu. In-person identity verification for military moves is only available within the 50 states and Puerto Rico. If you are outside these areas, in-person verification and USPS change of address are not possible.
Explore Related USPS Mail Services for Movers
Beyond basic mail forwarding, USPS provides other services that can be helpful when moving:
USPS Hold Mail Service: If you’ll be away temporarily (3-30 days) during or after your move, USPS Hold Mail service pauses all mail delivery to your address. Mail is held securely at your local Post Office until you return.
Extended Mail Forwarding: Standard mail forwarding lasts for 12 months. For longer-term needs, you can extend mail forwarding for an additional 6, 12, or 18 months for a fee. You can add this when initially setting up forwarding or by editing an existing request.
Premium Forwarding Services: For more comprehensive mail management, USPS Premium Forwarding Service offers options to have your mail bundled and shipped to you weekly via Priority Mail (for residential customers) or daily, weekly, or monthly via Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express (for businesses).
In conclusion, the USPS Movers Guide is an invaluable tool for managing your mail during a move. By understanding the process and planning ahead, you can leverage USPS services to ensure your mail reaches you reliably at your new address, minimizing stress and ensuring a smoother transition to your new home.
