Last Updated: October 22, 2026 | Read time: 8 minutes
To forward your mail, submit a change of address on the official USPS website or at a post office. Online requests carry a $1.25 identity verification fee; submitting your request at a post office is free, according to USPS as of October 2026. USPS says to allow 7 to 10 business days after approval for forwarding to start, so submit the request about two weeks before you move.
This guide covers postal mail through USPS. For email forwarding, check your email provider's help page.
Moving comes with plenty of details to manage, from packing boxes to setting up utilities. Forwarding your mail belongs on that list. Otherwise, bills, financial statements, and other correspondence can end up at your old address.
Uncollected mail at your old address can leave sensitive documents unguarded. Missing bills and notices can also result in late fees or service interruptions.
Forwarding keeps your mail moving to your new home, but it does not update your address with every company or government agency. You will still need to notify those organizations directly. Once you know your new address, our guide to writing an apartment address shows how to format it correctly, and our moving cost guide helps you plan the rest of the budget.
When you're moving, setting up mail forwarding ensures you don't miss any important correspondence. Here's how to forward your mail, both online and in person.
A quick tip: Use the official USPS website when submitting your change of address. Third-party websites may charge additional fees for services you can access directly through USPS.
If you prefer to handle the process in person, you can visit your local post office. Here's what to do:
You may need to visit a post office if you're moving internationally, submitting a change of address for someone else, or unable to verify your identity online. Check the USPS change-of-address instructions for the requirements that apply to your situation.
USPS forwards most mail, but the forwarding period depends on the mail class, and some senders can instruct USPS not to forward certain items. Here's a breakdown based on USPS's change-of-address guidance.
| Mail type | Forwarded for | Source |
|---|---|---|
| First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and USPS Ground Advantage | 12 months | USPS, October 2026 |
| Magazines, newsletters, and other periodicals | 60 days | USPS, October 2026 |
| USPS Marketing Mail, including advertisements and catalogs | Only if the sender requests forwarding | USPS, October 2026 |
Some mail may be subject to postage due, and certain items have extra restrictions. For example, Media Mail can be forwarded to domestic addresses, but you may need to pay the shipping cost from your local post office to your new address.
USPS packages are forwarded; private carriers are not. Packages sent through services like FedEx or UPS aren't included in USPS mail forwarding, so contact those carriers or the sender directly to redirect a shipment.
Government agencies and financial institutions may use mail instructions that prevent forwarding of sensitive documents, such as identification, bank statements, and insurance information. Update your address directly with these organizations.
USPS forwards First-Class Mail for 12 months on a permanent change of address, and for 15 days to one year on a temporary one, according to USPS as of October 2026.
Permanent change of address: USPS forwards eligible mail for a period set by mail class. First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage are generally forwarded for 12 months, while periodicals are forwarded for 60 days. After the standard forwarding period ends, USPS may return mail to the sender with your new address attached for a limited time.
Temporary change of address: If you're relocating for school, an extended stay, or another reason, USPS allows temporary forwarding for a minimum of 15 days and up to one year in total. You receive eligible mail at the temporary address without changing your permanent address.
Extended forwarding: USPS offers paid Extended Mail Forwarding for an additional 6, 12, or 18 months. You can add it when you submit your change of address or later by editing your request. See the official USPS mail forwarding page for details and pricing.
Forwarding does not replace updating your address with individual senders. Once forwarding ends, important correspondence should not still be going to your old apartment.
Submit your change of address about two weeks before moving day. USPS says to allow 7 to 10 business days after approval for forwarding to begin, so two weeks gives you time to account for processing.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Two weeks before your move | Submit your request through USPS or at a post office. Double-check your old address, new address, and start date. Begin notifying banks, employers, and regular senders. |
| 7 to 10 business days after approval | Forwarding starts. Mail may be in USPS processing and unavailable for pickup until then. Watch your email for confirmation and save your confirmation code in case you need to change the request. |
| Moving day | Confirm your new address in online shopping accounts and subscriptions. Confirm utilities are active at the new apartment. |
| First month | Watch for bills, statements, and other expected mail. Contact any sender whose mail has not arrived. |
For a broader rundown of what to handle, use our first apartment checklist. Our guide to timing a move between rental apartments can help you organize the rest of your moving tasks.
You can't forward a previous resident's mail yourself, and you shouldn't file a change of address on their behalf. Write "Moved" or "Not at this address" on the envelope and return it to your mail carrier. This lets USPS know the recipient no longer lives there.
Avoid opening mail addressed to someone else, and don't throw away anything that looks important.
Changing your address involves more than updating your information with USPS. Here's a comprehensive checklist for notifying relevant parties:
Following this checklist will help ensure that important parties are informed of your move and that your transition to your new address is as smooth as possible.
Renters have a few extra addresses to handle that USPS forwarding does not cover:
Moving can affect your voter registration, so check whether you need to update it before the next election. Some states let you update your registration when you change your driver's license or state ID. In other states, you'll need to take separate steps.
For official guidance and links to your state's election resources, visit Vote.gov.
File your change of address with USPS about two weeks before you move, then work through the address checklist above so banks, employers, your landlord, and other senders have your new address before forwarding ends. Keep your USPS confirmation email until you have confirmed that mail is arriving at your new home.
If you are still planning the move itself, the first apartment checklist covers the rest of the to-do list.
A change of address tells USPS where to send your mail, and forwarding is what USPS does with it. According to USPS, a permanent change-of-address request forwards eligible mail for up to 12 months, depending on the mail class. A temporary request covers 15 days to one year.
Neither option automatically updates your address with every company or government agency. You'll still need to notify individual senders.
Submit your request about two weeks before you move. Once USPS approves it, allow 7 to 10 business days for forwarding to start, according to USPS.
As of October 2026, USPS charges a $1.25 identity verification fee for online change-of-address requests. The billing address on the credit or debit card used for verification must match either your old or new address.
Submitting a change of address in person at a post office does not require the online identity verification fee. Use the official USPS website rather than a third-party service that may charge additional fees.
The forwarding period depends on the type of mail. According to USPS, First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage are generally forwarded for 12 months, while magazines and other periodicals are forwarded for 60 days. Advertising mail is forwarded only when the sender requests it.
USPS also offers paid Extended Mail Forwarding for an additional 6, 12, or 18 months. Check the USPS mail forwarding page for current options.
Yes. USPS forwards eligible USPS packages, including Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage packages. Some shipments may require additional postage.
Packages sent through private carriers, such as FedEx or UPS, aren't covered by USPS mail forwarding. Contact the carrier or sender directly to update the delivery address.
Yes, if they are authorized to act on your behalf. USPS has specific requirements for someone submitting a change of address for another person, which generally involve a visit to a post office with documentation. Review the USPS change-of-address instructions to confirm which identification and supporting documents are needed.
When standard forwarding ends, USPS generally returns eligible mail to the sender with your new address attached. According to USPS, this continues for six months after the standard forwarding period ends. After that, mail may be returned without your new address.
Update your address directly with banks, employers, government agencies, insurance providers, and other senders well before your forwarding period expires.
Use the confirmation email or confirmation code USPS sent when you submitted your request. You can use it to edit or cancel the request through the USPS change-of-address page. If you filed in person, ask your local post office for help with changes.
Usually, yes, if they have different last names. USPS offers individual, family, and business options, and a family request is meant for people who share a last name. Each roommate should check which option applies to their situation on the USPS change-of-address page.
Check your confirmation email to confirm the start date you selected and that the request was approved. If both look correct, contact USPS through its website or your local post office. Meanwhile, contact important senders directly to confirm they have your new address.
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