United States Post Office Address Change Information

Fill out a change of address form when you move.

You need to fill out a U.S Post Office address change form whenever you move. This form notifies the post office to stop delivering mail from one address and start delivering mail to a new address. It also gives the post office the authority to forward mail still coming to the old address to the new address, and to notify the senders of your new address.

The Form

You use a U.S. Post Office address change form when you move or want your mail sent to a new address. The address change form asks for both your new and your old address and the date you want your mail to start going from your old address to your new address.

Timing

You can complete a U.S. Post Office address change form no sooner than 30 days before moving. You can make your change of address form effective immediately, although it takes a day or two for the post office to process the information. The Post Office recommends that you complete the form one week before you move. If you move without having filled out a change of address form, the Post Office will return your mail to the sender marked: no longer at this address, no forwarding order.

Online Form

You can file a change of address form online; see References for the website. The site will ask whether this move is permanent or temporary. Select permanent if you are not moving back to that address for at least a year, and select temporary if you plan to move back to your old address within 12 months. The website then will ask you to enter the date at which the Post Office should begin forwarding your mail from the old address to the new address. Then select whether the move is for an individual, family or a business. Once you click submit, you will be asked to complete your personal information, such as name, old address and new address. To complete a change of address online, you will need a valid credit or debit card in the name of the person moving. The post office will charge your card a small amount (less than $1) to verify your identity. Once the change of address form is completed, you will receive a confirmation number that you have completed your change of address.

Post Office Form

If you want to change your address in person, you can go to any post office and ask for a change of address form. When you have completed the form, you can either give it to the post office clerk or put it in your mailbox for your carrier to pick up. The form asks the same information as the online form, although you will not need to give credit card information. Be sure to fill the form out completely.

Additional Information

If you have filed an address change information form and your mail is not being forwarded to you, contact the post office information line at 1-800-ASK-USPS. If you fillled out the form on the Internet, have your confirmation number available. If you filled out the paper form, have your name and address information available. .

References

• moversguide.usps: The Official Change of Address Form
• USPS: United States Postal Service