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What is the Official USPS® Change-of-Address Form?
The Official USPS® Change-of-Address Form is the postal service's own tool for telling the U.S. Postal Service that you are moving and want your mail forwarded to a new address. It is the official channel for a forwarding request, as opposed to a third-party site that charges a fee to submit one on your behalf.
What it does
- Files a change-of-address (COA) so mail addressed to your old address is redirected to the new one.
- Covers individual moves, family moves and business moves, which are filed differently.
- Lets you choose a start date, so forwarding begins when you actually move rather than the day you submit the form.
- Typically verifies your identity, since a forwarding request affects where your mail goes — a common target for fraud.
Who it is for
Anyone changing residence or business address within the United States, including people moving temporarily, students leaving for a term, and households where one person is moving out but others remain. If you are the only person leaving a shared address, you generally file as an individual rather than for the whole household.
Practical notes
- Identity verification usually requires a card or account tied to your name; a mover who has already closed accounts may need to plan ahead.
- Expect a small identity-verification charge to the card you use, which is separate from any mail-forwarding fee.
- Forwarding is a temporary service with a standard duration, so for permanent mail you should still update banks, insurers, employers and government agencies directly.
- If your page shows a JavaScript error or a loading message, as the USPS form page can when scripts are blocked, try a current browser with JavaScript enabled, or disable script blockers and reload.
Next step
Before you file, make a list of the senders that matter most — financial institutions, tax authorities, medical providers, subscription services — and update them directly. Use the COA as a safety net for the mail you forget, not as your only notification. If you are moving abroad or to a U.S. territory with different rules, check the postal service's international or military forwarding guidance first, since domestic forwarding does not apply in the same way.
How do I submit a change of address with USPS online?
You submit an online change of address through the official USPS form at Official USPS Change-of-Address Form. The page itself is a JavaScript-driven application, so it loads as a blank "Loading..." screen until scripts run—enable JavaScript and use a current browser before you start.
What the online process involves
- Open the official change-of-address page and let the form load.
- Enter the names of everyone moving, your old address, and your new address.
- Choose the date you want mail forwarding to begin.
- Verify your identity. USPS typically does this with a small charge to a credit card tied to your name, or an in-person verification option—details appear during the flow.
- Pay the identity-verification fee if you are verifying online.
- Save your confirmation number and watch for a validation letter sent to the new address.
Practical notes
- The identity step exists to stop someone else from redirecting your mail. Have a card in your own name ready, or expect an in-person alternative if that fails.
- The confirmation number is your proof and your reference if forwarding doesn't start on time.
- Expect a move-validation letter at the new address; follow its instructions if one is required.
- Forwarding is temporary, not permanent. Update banks, insurers, employers, and subscriptions directly rather than relying on forwarding long term.
Compare your options
| Method | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Online form | Most households; fastest start | Needs JavaScript, a working browser, and identity verification |
| In-person at a Post Office | People without a usable card or reliable internet | Takes a trip and a wait |
| Mailed paper form | Those who prefer paper | Slowest to process |
Next step
Before you begin, gather the old and new addresses, the full names of everyone moving, and a payment card in your name. Then open the official form with JavaScript enabled and complete it in one sitting so you don't lose your place.
How long does USPS mail forwarding last after I move?
USPS mail forwarding typically lasts for a set period that depends on the type of move, with the standard duration being 12 months for most residential moves. If you file a temporary change of address, the forwarding period can be shorter or matched to the length of your temporary stay. Business moves generally get a shorter forwarding window than residential ones.
Official USPS® Change-of-Address Form
Practical next step: File your change of address through the official USPS form as soon as you know your move date. This ensures forwarding starts promptly and gives you a clear record of when the 12-month window begins.
Example scenario: If you move in June 2025, your mail will generally forward until June 2026. After that, senders need your new address directly, so it pays to update important accounts early.
Decision criterion: Choose temporary forwarding if you're away for a defined period (for example, a semester or a work assignment) and permanent forwarding if you've actually relocated.
What information do I need to provide to change my address with USPS?
To change your address with USPS, you generally need to provide identifying details about yourself, your old address, your new address, and the date the change takes effect. The official form is at Official USPS Change-of-Address Form.
What you'll typically need
Identity verification
- Your name (and the names of others moving with you, if applicable)
- A valid email address or phone number for confirmation
- A credit card (for identity verification) or an in-person option at a Post Office
Old address
- The full street address, apartment/unit number, city, state, and ZIP code you are leaving
New address
- The full street address, apartment/unit number, city, state, and ZIP code you are moving to
Timing
- The date you want mail forwarding to begin (usually within a few days to a few weeks of submission)
Practical notes
- Individual vs. family: A "family" change covers everyone at the old address with the same last name; an "individual" change covers just one person. Choose based on who is actually moving.
- Duration: USPS forwardin
How much does it cost to file a change of address with USPS?
The official USPS change-of-address service is free to file when you use the online form at Official USPS® Change-of-Address Form. USPS does charge a $1.10 identity-verification fee if you file online and want to confirm your identity with a credit or debit card instead of answering security questions in person at a Post Office. That fee is for verification, not for the address change itself.
If you file in person at a Post Office, there is no charge. You can also request a paper change-of-address kit from your letter carrier or local Post Office at no cost.
What to expect
- Online filing: free, plus an optional $1.10 verification fee if you choose card-based identity confirmation.
- In-person filing: free.
- Mail-in or carrier-provided form: free.
Next step
If you want to avoid any fee, file in person at a Post Office or use the paper form. If you prefer the convenience of filing online and verifying your identity with a card, budget about $1.10. Either way, keep your confirmation number and watch for a validation letter at your new address, which you may need to respond to in order to activate the change.
How can I verify or cancel my USPS change of address request?
You can verify or cancel a USPS change-of-address request through the official online mover tool at Official USPS Change-of-Address Form, by phone, or in person at a Post Office. The online tool is the fastest route and also lets you correct a submission made in error.
Verify your request online
- Go to Official USPS Change-of-Address Form and sign in with the same account or confirmation details you used when you filed.
- Look for the option to view or manage your existing change-of-address request. You can confirm the effective date, the addresses involved, and whether the request is still processing.
- If you filed as a guest without an account, use the confirmation email or receipt you received at submission, which contains the information needed to look up or modify the request.
Cancel your request
- Sign in to the same tool and open your existing request, then choose the cancel option.
- Cancellation is time-sensitive. Once mail forwarding has started, stopping it mid-stream can leave a gap where mail is sent to the old address or not forwarded at all.
- If you cannot cancel online, call USPS customer service or visit a local Post Office with photo ID and the addresses tied to the request.
Practical decision criteria
| Situation | Best route |
|---|---|
| Filed online with an account | Manage or cancel through the online tool |
| Filed as a guest | Use your confirmation email, then the online lookup |
| Request already active and mail is forwarding | Call USPS or visit a Post Office before cancelling |
| You moved but need to fix an address typo | Correct it in the same tool rather than cancelling |
A useful next step: before cancelling, decide whether you actually need to stop forwarding or just correct an address. If you simply mistyped an apartment number or ZIP code, editing the existing request preserves your original effective date and avoids a gap in delivery. If you filed a change of address for a move that is no longer happening, cancel promptly so mail continues to reach your current address.
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