Everything you’ve ever wanted in a home is likely in your new place, including a convenient location, a wooded backyard, and a friendly neighborhood. The only drawback is that relocating to such a new home can be challenging for many reasons.
One factor that makes moving a difficult task is the uncertainty of whether your mail will be delivered to your new location or is still at the old one. Interestingly, that occurs much more frequently than you might think. Fortunately, there are a few ways to change your address, either temporarily or permanently. That is why we created this quick guide.
How Can I Change My Mail Address?
In the section below, we’ll go over how to change your address and how to do so temporarily (for instance, if you’re moving to a warmer location for the winter and then coming back home) or permanently.
After reading through this comprehensive guide, you will be fully aware of the steps necessary to ensure that all your mail is delivered to your new address. Ready to start today? Great! Let’s get started.
Temporary Change of Address
A temporary change of address service diverts mail from your current address to a different location for a short time. If you choose to use your temporary address going forward, you will need to manually notify senders as you receive mail with a yellow forwarding label. Visit the postal service page to discontinue this service: Manage My Move.
Fifteen days is the bare minimum for temporary forwarding. Seasonal forwarding, also known as temporary changes of address, allows mail to be forwarded to a temporary address for 364 days, beginning on the specified start date. The end date you specified in your request is when mail forwarding will stop.
Permanent Change of Address
You can permanently reroute your mail by requesting a permanent address change from USPS. The choice is the best if you are moving and won’t be relocating again for a while. When you submit a permanent change of address, your data will be entered into the National Change of Address (NCOA) database.
As a result, as your mail is forwarded, the NCOA system will inform banks and other organizations of your new address. Your new data will be stored in the NCOA database for 48 months. If you choose to return to your previous address or continue receiving mail there, it will be impossible to change it through the USPS system.
SEE: How To Change Billing Address On Amazon
What Are the Steps to Follow When Changing My Address with USPS?
You must still clear a few hurdles to set up a Change of Address with the USPS, but the procedure is generally relatively simple. We’ve outlined the procedure in as much detail as possible so you can get through it stress- and headache-free. Keep these things in mind as you move from one step to the next. If you do, you’ll be able to put your COA in place without any issues. Let’s begin right away.
1. Verify the New Address
If you’ve lived at your old address for a while, you’ll likely encounter some difficulties trying to recall your new one. Even though that may be the case, you should still confirm your new address with the landlord or realtor before dealing with the mail forwarding aspect.
Make sure the street and city names are spelled correctly, verify your house or apartment number, and learn how the postal service codes the mail that will be delivered to your new address.
2. Apply for a Temporary or Permanent Address with USPS
Once you move to a new location, you must carefully consider whether you should submit a temporary or permanent address to the USPS. If you select the temporary option, be aware that your mail will be routed to the new location for a specific time. The only difference is that in this situation, first-class mail and periodicals will be sent to you instead of standard mail like catalogs.
However, a temporary address is helpful if you intend to spend the winter in a warm location or the summer in a cold location. The duration of a temporary change of address can range from 15 days to 6 months, but if you stay, you can extend it to a year.
3. Select the Change Type
You must also decide whether or not to forward or change your mailing address for families, individuals, or businesses during the COA process. If only one person is relocating (temporarily or permanently), you must choose the Individual option during the COA process.
During the COA process, you should choose the Family option if the entire family (all occupants of that home) is moving. Last but not least, choosing the Business option during the change of address process is a good idea if a business is moving locations.
All of this is relatively easy to understand and is specified in detail on the USPS Form 3575, which is accessible offline or online.
4. Inform the Post Office of Your New Address
The steps for notifying the post office of your new address are listed below.
- To submit a change of address, use a valid email address that is accessible, and if any fees are incurred, use a legitimate debit or credit card.
- To change your address over the phone, dial the toll-free number 1-800-ASK-USPS.
- Fill out the USPS mail forwarding address change form. It is referred to as Form 3575 and aids you in changing your address. You can obtain the form from your post office or the official USPS website.
5. Mention Anyone Relocating With You
After updating your address with USPS, there is no way to include the names of everyone moving in with you to the new location. So, it is essential to do that before you submit.
6. Determine Who Needs to Know Your New Address
It is advisable to list all the people and organizations you want to stay in touch with and let them know your new address. These consist of:
- Utility companies for telephone, electricity, water, and gas.
- Your employer and the appropriate government agencies.
- Your bank and the card companies.
- Magazines and newspapers
- Clubs and organizations.
- Doctors and specialists
- Family and friends.
How Long Does it Typically Take for Address Changes to Become Effective?
The actual implementation of your new COA may take up to two weeks. This is why it’s wise to start the process as soon as possible, especially knowing you’ll be moving soon and don’t want to bother about packages not being delivered to the new address.
In their best efforts, the USPS tries to move the process along for you as quickly as possible. However, because of logistical issues, they cannot promise that your new address will be active until two weeks after you have made the change. If you plan ahead, you won’t need to worry about anything.
Why Should I Change My Address?
You might have to change your address for many reasons, but perhaps the most crucial one is to ensure that no one else is receiving important mail addressed to your old address. This is true, at least for USPS and other courier services.
Many believe that by updating their mailing address on their credit cards, banks, and other important documents, mail will eventually “find them.”
It doesn’t work quite like that. Mail will continue to be delivered to your old mailbox until you complete a COA (temporary or permanent). Who knows what kind of sensitive, private, or personal information might end up in the hands of others if you don’t physically update and change your address? You must go through the COA procedure each time you relocate, even if you only intend to be gone for a few months or a year.
See also: What Is A Return Address?
Is It Possible to Edit My Address Change?
Absolutely! You can call USPS’s customer service helpline to edit the address if you need to change anything. During regular business hours, call 1-800-275-8777 to speak with a customer service representative from USPS. Regardless of which post office you initially made the change at, you can also modify your COA by going in person to any nearby post office.
