how to change address with post office

June 28, 2026

You can change your address with the post office (USPS) either online or through your local post office, and the process is called a Change of Address (COA) request.

How to Change Address with the Post Office (USPS)

Quick Scoop

You can file a Change of Address online or at a post office.

Online is fast but has a small identity-verification fee (around a dollar).

In-person with a paper form (PS Form 3575) is usually free.

You’ll choose temporary vs permanent and set the date you want mail to start forwarding.

You still need to update banks, DMV, employers, etc. separately.

Step-by-step: Online Change of Address

This is usually the easiest option if you have a debit/credit card.

Go to the official USPS Change of Address page (such as USPS.com/move or the moversguide site linked from USPS).

Choose who the change is for:
- Individual
- Family (everyone with the same last name)
- Business

Pick temporary or permanent move and enter the start date when mail should begin forwarding.

Enter your old address and new address , along with your name and contact info (email, phone).

Verify your identity using a credit or debit card. USPS charges a small fee (about 1–1.10 USD) to prevent fraud.

Submit and save your confirmation number from the email you receive; you can use it later to modify or cancel the request.

Think of this like buying a cheap “ticket” that proves you are really the person who lives at that address.

Step-by-step: At the Post Office (Paper Form)

If you don’t want to use a card online, you can do it on paper.

Go to your local post office.
Ask for a Mover’s Guide packet.

Inside you’ll find PS Form 3575 (Change of Address form).
Fill it out with:
- Your full name
- Old address
- New address
- Move date
- Whether it’s temporary or permanent
- Whether it’s for you, family, or business

Hand the completed form to a postal clerk , who will check your photo ID and process it.

There is no fee for changing your address this way.

You can also mail PS Form 3575 to the POSTMASTER address listed on the form, but in-person is usually faster and safer against mistakes.

Temporary vs Permanent – What’s the Difference?

When you file your COA, you must choose temporary or permanent.

Temporary move
- Used if you’ll be away for a limited time (for example, a long trip, temporary job, or school term).
- Mail forwarding is limited in duration; after that, mail may go back to your old address.

Permanent move
- Used if you’re fully moving homes.
- USPS sets up mail forwarding , generally for up to 12 months for most First-Class mail, while you update your address with everyone else.

A simple rule: if you don’t plan to come back to the old address, choose permanent.

Must-do After You File with USPS

Changing your address with USPS only affects mail forwarding , not the official address on file with other institutions. After you file your COA:

Update your address directly with:
- Banks and credit cards
- Employer and payroll
- IRS and state tax agency
- Insurance companies (health, auto, home)
- Utilities (electric, gas, water, internet)
- Streaming and subscription services
- Online shopping accounts (Amazon, etc.)

A quick illustration: imagine USPS is a friend who agrees to carry your letters from your old place to your new place; unless you tell everyone your new address, they’ll keep sending letters to your friend forever.

Common Questions People Ask (Mini “Forum” Style)

“Is it safe to change my address online?”

The card fee (about 1–1.10 USD) is precisely there as an identity check to reduce fraud; USPS uses it to match your name, address, and card details.

“Do I have to pay anything if I go to the post office in person?”

The in-person PS Form 3575 method at the post office is typically free ; the fee applies mainly to the online verification.

“How early should I file before I move?”

Many moving guides suggest doing it about a week or more before your move so mail forwarding is in place when you arrive.

Quick HTML Table of Options

Below is an HTML table summarizing your main choices.

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Method</th>
      <th>Where you do it</th>
      <th>Cost</th>
      <th>What you need</th>
      <th>Pros</th>
      <th>Cons</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Online COA</td>
      <td>Official USPS Change of Address website</td>
      <td>Small ID verification fee (about $1–$1.10)</td>
      <td>Internet access, email, credit/debit card</td>
      <td>Fast, confirmation by email, can modify/cancel online</td>
      <td>Requires a card and online access</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>In-person COA</td>
      <td>Local post office counter</td>
      <td>Generally free</td>
      <td>Photo ID, PS Form 3575 from Mover's Guide</td>
      <td>No card needed, staff can help you avoid mistakes</td>
      <td>Requires a trip during office hours</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Mail-in COA</td>
      <td>Mail PS Form 3575 to USPS</td>
      <td>Generally free (postage may apply)</td>
      <td>Form 3575, mailbox access</td>
      <td>No need to go online or stand in line</td>
      <td>Slower, harder to fix if you make a mistake</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

(Details in this table are drawn from USPS-focused guides and USPS support pages.)

SEO Mini-Bits (Meta + Summary)

Focus keyword: how to change address with post office
Related keywords: mail forwarding , USPS change of address , temporary vs permanent move , moving checklist.

Meta description-style line:
Learn how to change your address with the post office in minutes, whether online or in person, including fees, forms, and what to update after your USPS Change of Address.

TL;DR:
File a USPS Change of Address online (small card fee, fast) or at your local post office with PS Form 3575 (usually free), choose temporary or permanent, then update your address directly with banks, government agencies, and services.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.