Moving to a new home is a significant life event, filled with excitement and a long to-do list. Among the many tasks, ensuring your mail reaches your new address is crucial. Fortunately, the United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a straightforward solution through its Movers Guide at USPS.com, designed to make your address change process as smooth as possible. While mail forwarding can start within 3 business days of your request, it’s wise to plan ahead and allow up to 2 weeks to ensure all your mail is correctly rerouted without interruption.
Understanding What Mail USPS Will Forward
USPS provides a comprehensive mail forwarding service, but it’s important to know what types of mail are included:
- First-Class Mail™ and Periodicals: This includes your letters, postcards, and magazines. These are forwarded for free, ensuring you stay connected and informed without extra cost.
- Priority Mail Express®, Priority Mail®, and USPS Ground Advantage®: For your expedited and package services, USPS also forwards these for free, maintaining the convenience and speed you expect.
- Media Mail®: Forwarding is available for books, printed music, and other media, but it comes with a cost. You’ll need to pay the shipping fee from your local Post Office to your new address.
- USPS Marketing Mail®: This type of mail, often consisting of advertisements and promotional material, is not forwarded.
It’s critical to remember that a USPS change of address only updates your mailing address with the Post Office. You still need to notify other important entities directly, such as government agencies for benefits, driver’s licenses, and voter registration, as well as companies like banks, insurance providers, and online retailers.
Forwarding Mail Exceptions & Details (DMM 507.2.0)
Navigating to Your Change of Address Options
USPS offers convenient options to change your address, either online through the Movers Guide at USPS.com or in person at a local Post Office.
You must visit a Post Office location to submit your change of address request if any of the following apply:
- You are moving outside of the United States.
- You are submitting a request as an authorized agent for someone else.
- You are unable to verify your identity online.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Address Online via Movers Guide at USPS.com
The online Movers Guide at USPS.com is the most efficient way to update your address. Here’s how to do it:
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Visit the Official USPS Change of Address® Website: Go to MoversGuide.USPS.com. This is the official and secure portal for submitting your change of address.
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Select Your Move Type and Complete the Form: Choose whether you are moving as an “Individual,” “Family,” or “Business.” Fill out the online form with your old and new addresses, and the date you want forwarding to begin. For a family move, ensure everyone has the same last name.
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Verify Your Identity Online: For security, USPS requires identity verification. Opt to receive a verification code or link on your mobile phone. This step helps protect against unauthorized address changes.
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Pay the Identity Verification Fee: There is a nominal $1.10 fee for online identity verification. Ensure the billing address on your credit card matches either your old or new address for successful processing.
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Confirmation and Notifications (If Online Verification Succeeds):
- Email Confirmation: Upon successful verification, USPS will email you a confirmation code. Keep this code safe, as you’ll need it to modify or cancel your request.
- Move Validation Letter: You will receive a Move Validation Letter at your old address, confirming your request.
- Customer Notification Letter and Welcome Kit: About 5 business days before your forwarding start date, a Customer Notification Letter with your confirmation code will arrive at your new address. This letter often includes a welcome kit with coupons from USPS partners.
- Mail Forwarding Begins: Your mail will start being rerouted to your new address piece by piece.
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In-Person Verification Instructions (If Online Verification Fails): If you cannot verify your identity online, USPS will send an email with instructions and a barcode. Take this email along with an acceptable photo ID to your local Post Office to complete the verification process in person.
Change Your Address at MoversGuide.USPS.com
Alt Text: A welcoming exterior view of a USPS Post Office building, signaling a place for postal services.
Changing Your Address Directly at a Post Office
If you prefer to change your address in person, or if online verification isn’t possible, follow these steps at your local Post Office:
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Visit Your Local Post Office: Find your nearest Post Office location using the USPS Find Locations tool. Bring an acceptable photo ID and any required documents for special situations (see below).
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Request a Mover’s Guide Packet: Ask a retail associate for a free Mover’s Guide packet. This packet contains the necessary PS Form 3575 and instructions.
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Complete PS Form 3575: Fill out the PS Form 3575 inside the packet with your old and new address details, and the desired start date for mail forwarding.
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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.
Change of Address Exceptions & Details (DMM 507.2.0)
Addressing Identity Verification Issues
Identity verification is a mandatory step to protect your mail and personal information.
- If you cannot verify your identity online, visiting a Post Office with acceptable ID is the next step.
- Unfortunately, if you are unable to verify your identity even at a Post Office, USPS will not be able to process your change of address request.
- In such cases, your only recourse is to directly notify everyone who sends you mail – individuals, companies, and government agencies – with your new address.
Change of Address for Special Circumstances
USPS accommodates change of address requests for various special situations:
Submitting a Request for Someone Else (Authorized Agent):
If you are acting as an “Authorized Agent” to change an address for someone else, you must visit a Post Office and provide acceptable ID along with specific documents:
- Child under 18: Birth certificate of the child.
- Person unable to act for themselves: Power of Attorney document.
Handling Mail for the Deceased:
To manage mail for someone who has passed away, you need to go to a Post Office with documentation proving you are the executor or administrator of their estate. A death certificate alone is not sufficient.
Managing Mail for the Deceased
International Moves:
For moves outside the United States, you must visit a Post Office before leaving the U.S. to verify your identity and submit your change of address in person. Online changes are not permitted for international addresses.
Business Address Changes:
For businesses submitting a change of address at a Post Office, you must provide documentation establishing you as an “Authorized Agent.” This can include a notarized letter, power of attorney, or a letter on company letterhead signed by a leader within the organization.
U.S. Military Moves:
For military personnel, it’s recommended to first coordinate with your command regarding relocation. Your AMPS relocation information may automatically be shared with USPS. If you need to submit a change of address separately with USPS, you can do so online or in person. For online submissions from a military address, your email must end in .gov, .mil, or .edu. In-person identity verification for military moves is only available at Post Offices within the 50 states and Puerto Rico. If you are outside of these areas, in-person verification is not possible, and you may not be able to submit a USPS change of address.
Alt Text: A USPS mail carrier in uniform efficiently delivering mail to a residential mailbox, representing reliable mail service.
Explore Related USPS Mail Services
Beyond standard mail forwarding, USPS offers additional services to manage your mail during and after a move:
USPS Hold Mail Service:
If you’ll be away temporarily for 3 to 30 days, USPS Hold Mail® service allows you to pause all mail delivery to your address. Your local Post Office will securely hold your mail until you return. Upon your return, you can have all held mail delivered on a specified date or pick it up at the Post Office.
Schedule USPS Hold Mail Service
Extended Mail Forwarding:
Standard mail forwarding lasts for 12 months. If you need longer forwarding, you can extend it for an additional 6, 12, or 18 months (18 months being the maximum) for a fee. You can add Extended Mail Forwarding when you initially submit your change of address via Movers Guide at USPS.com or by editing an existing request. USPS will also send a reminder email before your initial forwarding period ends. Note that Extended Mail Forwarding fees are non-refundable.
Premium Forwarding Service®:
For more comprehensive mail management, consider USPS Premium Forwarding Service®. For a fee, USPS will repack and send your mail to you regularly. Residential customers can receive weekly shipments via Priority Mail, while businesses can opt for daily, weekly, or monthly shipments via Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express.
Premium Forwarding Mail Services
In conclusion, utilizing the Movers Guide at USPS.com or visiting your local Post Office simplifies the crucial task of changing your address. By understanding the services available and planning ahead, you can ensure a smooth transition and continued mail delivery to your new home.
