Changing your address and forwarding mail

What to know

1. Use the real USPS site. Go to USPS.com/move. You don't need to pay a separate company; scammers may charge $40 or more for what costs $1.10 on the official site. You can also get a Mover's Guide packet at the post office. Source: USAGov²
2. Pick permanent or temporary. Moving for good? Choose permanent. Away 15 days to a year, like for school? Choose temporary. Source: USPS¹
3. Do it about two weeks early. Forwarding may start within 3 business days, but allow up to 2 weeks. Source: USPS¹ Online, you'll need to verify your identity; if you can't, go to a post office. Source: USPS¹
4. Watch for the confirmation letter. About 5 business days before your start date, USPS mails a letter with a confirmation code to your new address. Source: USPS¹
5. Know the clock. First-Class mail forwards free for 12 months. After that, USPS returns mail to the sender for 6 months with your new address on it. Source: USPS¹ Use that year to update everyone.
6. Update the IRS. Use your new address on your next tax return, or file Form 8822. Source: IRS³ USPS only changes your mail, not your records anywhere else. Source: USPS¹
7. Update your driver's license and car registration. Each state has its own process; find yours on USAGov. Source: USAGov⁴ California, for example, has an online change of address; allow up to 3 days to process. Source: California DMV⁵
8. Update your voter registration at Vote.gov. Source: Vote.gov⁶

Who else to tell

A text to send friends and family

I moved! My new address is [street], [apt], [city, state ZIP]. Please update your contacts.

If it doesn't work

• Mail not forwarding after two weeks? Check your confirmation letter, then contact your local post office. Source: USPS¹
• Only away a few days? Use USPS Hold Mail for 3 to 30 days instead. Source: USPS¹
• Got a change-of-address letter you didn't ask for? Someone may be trying to steal your mail. Contact your post office right away. See Recovering from identity theft.