Streamline Your Move: The Ultimate Guide to USPS Address Change Online

Moving to a new home is a significant life event, filled with excitement and a to-do list that seems never-ending. Among packing boxes and setting up utilities, one crucial task often gets overlooked: updating your mailing address. Fortunately, the United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a convenient solution to ensure your mail follows you to your new destination – changing your address online. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using the Usps Address Change Online service, making your move smoother and ensuring you don’t miss any important mail.

Why Change Your Address with USPS Online?

Changing your address with USPS is essential for a seamless transition to your new residence. It ensures that your First-Class Mail and periodicals are forwarded to your new address, keeping you connected and informed. While you can also change your address at a physical Post Office location, opting for the USPS address change online service offers several advantages:

Convenience: Update your address from the comfort of your home, 24/7, without needing to visit a Post Office during business hours.
Speed: The online process is quick and efficient, taking just a few minutes to complete.
Ease of Use: The USPS website is user-friendly and guides you through each step of the address change process.
Verification: The online system includes identity verification steps to protect against fraudulent address changes and ensure the security of your mail.

Step-by-Step Guide to USPS Address Change Online

Changing your address online with USPS is a straightforward process. Here’s a detailed walkthrough:

Visit the Official USPS Change of Address® Website: Go to the official USPS Mover’s Guide website at https://moversguide.usps.com/. Always ensure you are on the official USPS website to protect your personal information.
Select Your Move Type: Choose the appropriate option for your move:
- Individual: For a single person moving.
- Family: For families where everyone moving has the same last name.
- Business: For businesses relocating.
Complete the Online Form: Fill out the Change of Address form with accurate information. This includes:
- Old Address: Your previous address.
- New Address: Your new address where you want to receive mail.
- Move Date: The date you want mail forwarding to begin. Remember to allow up to two weeks for mail forwarding to start, although it may begin as early as 3 business days after submission.
- Forwarding Duration: Standard forwarding is for 12 months. You’ll also see options to extend this period for an additional fee.
- Contact Information: Email address and phone number for verification and updates.
Verify Your Identity Online: For security purposes, USPS requires online identity verification. You will typically opt to receive a verification code or link via text message to your mobile phone.
Pay the Identity Verification Fee: There is a small identity verification fee of $1.10. You will need a credit or debit card with a billing address that matches either your old or new address to pay this fee.
Confirmation and Next Steps:
- Successful Verification: If your online identity verification is successful, 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.
  - Customer Notification Letter: About 5 business days before your change of address start date, you’ll receive a Customer Notification Letter (containing your confirmation code) and a welcome kit with coupons from USPS partners at your new address.
  - Mail Forwarding Begins: Mail will be forwarded to your new address piece by piece as it arrives.
- Unsuccessful Verification: If you can’t verify your identity online, USPS will send you an email with instructions and a barcode. You will need to take this email and acceptable photo ID to your local Post Office location to complete the address change.

What Mail Gets Forwarded?

Understanding what mail is forwarded and what isn’t is crucial:

Forwarded for Free:
- First-Class Mail
- Periodicals (magazines and newsletters)
- Priority Mail Express
- Priority Mail
- USPS Ground Advantage
Forwarded with a Fee:
- Media Mail: Forwarded, but you must pay the cost to ship it from your local Post Office to your new address.
Not Forwarded:
- USPS Marketing Mail (also known as “Standard Mail” or “Bulk Mail”)

It’s important to note that a USPS change of address only updates your mailing address with the Post Office. You must still independently update your address with government agencies (like the IRS, DMV, and voter registration), financial institutions, subscription services, online retailers, and other important contacts.

When You Need to Change Your Address at a Post Office

While the USPS address change online is convenient, there are situations where you must submit your request in person at a Post Office location:

Moving Outside the United States: For international moves, you need to verify your identity in person before leaving the US.
Submitting a Request for Someone Else: If you are an “Authorized Agent” changing the address for another individual, you must do so in person. This includes situations where you are acting on behalf of a child, someone who is incapacitated, or a deceased person’s estate.
Unable to Verify Identity Online: If you cannot complete the online identity verification process, you will need to visit a Post Office with photo ID to verify your identity and process your change of address.

Special Situations for Address Changes

USPS has specific procedures for address changes in particular circumstances:

Authorized Agent (Changing Address for Someone Else): You must visit a Post Office and provide:
- Your acceptable photo ID.
- Additional documents depending on who you are representing:
  - Child under 18: Child’s birth certificate.
  - Person unable to act for themselves: Power of Attorney documents.
Deceased Individuals: To forward mail for a deceased person, you must go to a Post Office with documentation proving you are the executor or administrator of their estate. A death certificate alone is not sufficient.
International Moves: You must change your address in person at a Post Office before you leave the United States.
Businesses: For in-person business address changes, you need to provide documentation proving you are an “Authorized Agent” for the business, such as a notarized letter, power of attorney, or a letter on company letterhead signed by a company leader.
U.S. Military Moves: Coordinate with your command first. If you need to submit a USPS change of address, you can do it online (using a .gov, .mil, or .edu email address if moving from a military address) or in person. In-person verification for military moves is only available within the 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Related USPS Mail Services

Beyond the standard address change, USPS offers other services that can be helpful during a move:

USPS Hold Mail Service

If you’ll be away temporarily (3-30 days) and don’t want mail accumulating, USPS Hold Mail service pauses all mail delivery to your address. You can schedule this service online and either have your mail delivered on your return date or pick it up at the Post Office.

Extended Mail Forwarding

Standard mail forwarding lasts for 12 months. If you need longer forwarding, you can pay to extend it for 6, 12, or 18 additional months. You can add Extended Mail Forwarding when you initially submit your USPS address change online request or edit an existing request later.

Premium Forwarding Service

For more comprehensive forwarding, USPS Premium Forwarding Service offers options to have your mail repacked and sent to you weekly (for residential customers) or daily, weekly, or monthly (for businesses) via Priority Mail. This is a paid service providing more robust mail management during and after your move.

Conclusion

Using the USPS address change online service is the most convenient and efficient way to ensure your mail follows you when you move. By understanding the process, knowing what mail is forwarded, and being aware of special situations, you can navigate your address change smoothly and focus on settling into your new home. Don’t delay – take a few minutes to update your address online with USPS and enjoy a stress-free transition.

Change Your Address Online Now