You’ve spent weeks searching for your new home and are finally ready to move in. It’s easy to focus on the most apparent tasks, such as packing, hiring movers, cleaning, etc. However, there’s one more crucial task you can’t forget to do. You need to know how to forward mail from your current address to your new one!
Why is forwarding mail important? We don’t think about physical mail as frequently these days. However, mail is still a formal method of correspondence for many entities and companies. You don’t want to miss important correspondence like bills, taxes, insurance, financial, and employment documents. Nor do you want your private information going to the wrong party (such as the new resident). To ensure that you continue to receive your personal mail, be sure to set up mail forwarding. Before you start to Google “how to forward my mail?”, check out the following instructions.
How to forward mail to new address
It’s pretty simple to learn how to forward your mail. The best and easiest method is to utilize the United States Postal Service’s Standard Forward Mail & Change of Address Feature. It’s also known as the Official USPS Change of Address tool.
USPS Change of Address
The USPS Change of Address tool is for both temporary and permanent moves. Temporary moves are defined as a move away from your current address, anywhere from 15 days to a full year. Permanent moves are ones where you’re leaving your original address for longer than a year or permanently. The tool is mostly free to use, though you do need to pay a $1.10 identity verification fee.
The effects of changing your address and forwarding your mail should take effect within three business days. However, USPS recommends giving their system more time and updating your address two weeks before your move. Standard mail forwarding will last up to 12 months. Any First-Class, Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, or USPS Ground Advantage mail you receive will be forwarded for free once you’ve submitted your request. Items such as Media Mail will be forwarded, but you’d need to pay for the cost of shipping. Other items, like USPS Marketing Mail, and packages from Fedex or UPS will never be forwarded.
To start the process, you’ll want to head over to the Official USPS Change of Address website. Once there, you’ll want to confirm the following:
- Confirm if it’s an “Individual”, “Family”, or “Business” move
- Verify your identity
- Pay the $1.10 identity verification fee. Note: You’ll want to pay with a credit/debit card that has the same billing zip code as either your old or new address.
USPS will send you further information via email if you cannot verify your identity online. In the email, you’ll get instructions and a barcode to bring to a local USPS location, along with an acceptable photo ID.
If you were able to verify your identity, then you’ll automatically get a confirmation number in email. You’ll also receive a physical Move Validation letter to your old address and a physical Customer Notification Letter to your new address.
The tool is easy to follow and use, however, take special care when inputting your current address and new address. The system can take some time to process. If you notice that you’re getting stuck. Try restarting from the beginning and inputting your information again.
Going in person
You can head to any local USPS location if you’d prefer to update your address in person. Just request a “Mover’s Guide” packet, fill out the “PS Form 3575”, then hand that in to a USPS representative. They will verify your identity using a drivers license. If you don’t have a driver’s license, then you’ll need to bring in another form of identification such as a passport along with a secondary form of identification such as a lease.
Submitting Change of Address for Special Circumstances
Submitting on behalf of another person
If you’re submitting a change of address for another individual such as your child (under 18) or a person unable to act for themselves, then you’ll need to bring proof of identification in addition to documentation to show that you have the right to take the change of address action on their behalf. For a child, you’ll need a birth certificate. For a person unable to act for themselves, you’ll need documentation to prove that you are their power of attorney.
Submitting on behalf of a previous resident
You won’t be able to use the USPS Change of Address tool, if you’re looking to update the address for a previous resident. Instead, write “Return to Sender” or “No Longer at This Address” on the piece of mail and put the mail back in your mailbox. USPS will return the piece of mail back to the sender. This will hopefully prompt the sender to update their address so you no longer receive the previous residents mail!
Submitting on behalf of the deceased
If the person you are submitting the change of address for has passed away. You must have documentation to prove that you are the executor or administrator in charge of their mail. Note, a death certificate is not sufficient proof!
Submitting on behalf of a business
If you’re submitting a change of address on behalf of business. Do so online. If you go in person, you’ll need to show documentation proving that you are an “authorized agent”. Such documents include a notarized letter, power of attorney, or letter on company letterhead. A person in a leadership position in the company would need to sign off on any of these documents.
International Moves
If you’re moving internationally, you must go in person to a post office location. Its best to do this before you leave the country.
U.S. Military Moves
Your change of address should automatically be shared with USPS. If not, you can follow the general instructions for updating your address either online or in person. Note: for online requests, make sure to use an email address ending in .gov, .mil, or .edu if you’re moving from a military address.
Can’t verify identify of change of address request
Be prepared to manually update all of your friends, family, companies, and business entities if you’re unable to verify your identity online or in person. This might sound like a lot but dwindle the list down by focusing on those who will send you mail. Prioritize who to contact with an update on your address in order of the importance of the mail they may send you.
Other USPS Mail Services
USPS offers other mail services such as:
- USPS Hold Mail Service: Free service to have USPS hold your mail for 3-30 days. Mail carrier will deliver all of your mail on the last day of your hold.
- Extended Mail Forwarding: Extend your mail forwarding service by an additional 6, 12, or 18 months (on top of the standard 12 months). You can sign up when you first change your address or up to a month before your standard mail forwarding service ends.
- Premium Forwarding Services: If you purchase premium forwarding services, USPS will pack up your mail and send it to you via a weekly Priority Mail shipment. For businesses, USPS will do this in daily, weekly, or monthly Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express shipments.
Update addresses on major accounts
Don’t forget to update your address for the following companies, government agencies, etc even after you have successfully registered your change of address. Think of the change of address as more of a temporary catch net. You’ll still need to permanently update your address everywhere else!
- Friends and family
- Update your utilities such as electricity, water, internet, etc.
- Bank accounts
- Retirement savings accounts
- Insurance such as homeowners, renters, car, life, etc.
- Update your Driver’s license and voter registration at the DMV
- Update other government agencies such as social security and IRS
- Healthcare providers
- With your employer for payroll and benefits
- Education institutions for yourself or your children
- Online-retailers such as Amazon, Target, etc
- Delivery services such as Seamless, Grubhub, etc.
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