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1. Moving, Change of Address and Forwarding Mail
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CHANGE OF ADDRESS - THE BASICS
CHANGE OF ADDRESS (COA) IS A REQUEST TO TELL THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
(USPS) TO REROUTE YOUR MAIL (INCLUDING LETTERS AND PACKAGES) FOR ALL/OR SELECTED
INDIVIDUALS AT THE SPECIFIED ADDRESS.
MAY 15, 2024•KNOWLEDGE
INFORMATION
Article Number
000005313
Customer Information
The U.S. Postal Service is enhancing security protocols surrounding its change
of address (COA) service by implementing additional identity verification
methods. These enhancements are designed to address global identity theft
concerns, and to protect our customers’ information. The change of address
service remains simple and convenient to use. It can be completed in a few
steps, online at USPS.com, or by visiting one of more than 33,000 local Post
Office™️ locations.
Getting Started: Before the Address Change
Mail will only be forwarded to your new address, if you submit a Change of
Address with the USPS. You can make the Change of Address process faster and
easier by notifying everyone who sends you mail of your new address and the date
of your move at least two weeks before you move. Most bills and statements have
an area for making an address change notification. Make sure you use a complete
address that contains all necessary address elements, house number, street name,
directional (N, E, S, or W), (apt., suite, room #), city, state and ZIP Code™.
A COA request can be submitted 90 days before the effective date of your move,
and up to 30 days after the date of your move.
There are two ways to change your address: Online or In Person
Online
In Person
Change of address requests can be submitted online
at: https://moversguide.usps.com/
To improve online security and mitigate potential fraud, a multi-factor process
for online Change of Address requests is required:
1. A mobile phone number verification may be required, and a One-Time-Passcode
or verification link will be texted to your cell phone.
2. A $1.10 credit card identity verification fee will be charged to your credit
card. The billing address on the credit card must match either the old or
the new address used in the COA request. Prepaid cards and gift cards are
not accepted.
If online identity verification is not successful, you will be directed to
eligible Post Office™ locations able to verify your identity in person.
An email address is required for online COA submission. Military addresses are
eligible; if you are moving from a military address, your email address must end
in .gov, .mil, or .edu.
Military customers moving from an APO/FPO/DPO should work with military
officials to change their address and assist with mail forwarding.
International addresses (moving to an international address) are not eligible
for an online change of address. Please visit a Post Office to request a change
of address to an international address.
Online changes of address may not be possible for persons acting as authorized
agents for minor children, those unable to act for themselves and deceased
persons. You may have to submit the change of address in person and provide
documentation.
If your online identity verification was not successful, or if you do not wish
to complete a change of address online, you may complete a change of address in
person at a Post Office.
Online Identity Verification Failure:
You will receive an email with instructions and a barcode to verify your
identity in person at a Post Office. See below for required identification.
At a Post Office:
Request a change of address form from a Retail clerk at a Post Office. Please
bring one of the following photo identifications with you that is current and
unexpired:
* State issued driver's license or non-driver's license identification card
(name and address must match the old or new address on your request)
* Uniformed Services Identification Card (requires a secondary form of
identification)
* U.S. Passport (requires a secondary form of identification)
Secondary Forms of Identification:
It is recommended that you bring a secondary form of identification with you,
such as:
* Lease, mortgage or deed of trust
* Voter or vehicle registration card
* Home or vehicle insurance policy or card
The name and address on any secondary identification must match the old or new
address on your change of address request.
Minors and Authorized AgentsAuthorized Agents will be required to:
* Present their own personal, valid identification
* Submit a Change of Address (PS Form 3575), in person, on behalf of the party
they represent
* Provide required documents showing authorization to submit the change of
address on behalf of someone else:
* For a minor child: A birth certificate or legal document showing custody or
guardianship of the child
* For persons unable to act for themselves: A Power of Attorney
* For deceased persons: Executor documents
* For businesses filing a hardcopy COA: The Postal Service will require a
letter, printed on company letter head and signed by someone in a
leadership role, stating that the bearer is authorized to perform the
change of address for the business.
NOTE: Enrollment barcodes and 8-digit activation codes expire 20 days after the
date on the letter or email.
Change of Address Online Security
Security of a customer's personal information is extremely important to the
USPS. We use several techniques to minimize the chance that customer data will
become known outside our system and to prevent fraudulent COA requests.
* Secure Server - Encryption Technology.
* Credit / Debit Card Address Verification. A fee of $1.10 will be charged to
your credit card.
* The online change of address application allows a customer to submit a COA
using a "third" address for validation. This option requires that the move
effective date is at least 7 days in the future to allow the Move Validation
Letter to reach the old address.
We apologize if you were unable to verify your identity online or in person. You
will be unable to submit a USPS Change of Address without acceptable identity
verification.
To ensure you continue to receive critical mail, we encourage you to notify all
organizations that communicate with you via mail of your new address, such as:
Utility companiesInternet Service ProvidersPhone ProviderCable ProviderIRSAll
Insurance ProvidersDepartment of Motor VehiclesBanks and Credit Card
CompaniesSubscription ServicesEmployersFriends and FamilyBusiness
AssociatesIndividual Service ProvidersLoan ProvidersSocial Security
AdministrationMedical Providers
What it Costs
When the COA request is made online there is a $1.10 identity validation fee.
When you enter your credit card or debit card number and billing address, we can
electronically verify your card’s information with the issuing bank. If you
prefer not to use your credit card, you can fill out PS Form 3575 acquired from
your local Post Office. Forwarded mail may be subject to additional postage.
Warning: There are third party websites that will charge you fees of $40.00 or
more to submit your change of address. The Postal Service no longer accepts
submissions from third party businesses due to updated authentication processes.
The Postal Service is not affiliated with the businesses that own these sites
and, unfortunately, will not be able to assist you, or offer any refunds for
activity on ANY non-USPS site. If you attempted to file a COA on a non-USPS
site, you will need to contact the financial institution that issued the credit
card for resolution. To ensure the best service, always use USPS.com for all
change of address activities.
Obtaining a Hardcopy Change of Address Form
The Change of Address Order (PS Form 3575) is available at your local Post
Office within the Mover’s Guide® packet. The packet also includes instructions
for completing the form and coupons offering discounts for related moving
services.
The Change of Address Order is a hardcopy paper form that can be completed to
submit a change of address.
* If you mail or submit a PS Form 3575 without going through proper identity
verification at a post office, you will receive a letter in the mail. The
letter directs you to finalize your identity validation either Online or
In-Person at a post office location with in-person proofing.
* If you choose to complete your COA request online, Mover's Guide® Online
presents special offers. You can print the offers immediately or have them
sent as a text message to your mobile device.
Change of Address Options
A Change of Address (COA) request can be temporary or permanent and be submitted
for either an individual, family, or business. These options are requested when
completing your COA online or by filling out a PS Form 3575 acquired from your
local Post Office™. The PS Form 3575 form can no longer be printed from your
home computer.
Choosing Temporary or Permanent
Temporary COA forwarding time limits: The minimum time period for temporary
forwarding is 15 days. Temporary COAs, or seasonal forwarding, provide
forwarding of mail to a temporary address for a maximum of 364 days, starting
with the listed start date. Mail will stop being forwarded on the end date and
delivery will resume to the original address you listed on your COA request.
* Temporary COAs provide forwarding of mail to a temporary address for a
maximum of 185 days. A new request can be filed extending the temporary COA
for up to an additional 179 days.
* The start date on the new request can be either the original end date, or a
few days before the original end date (if the customer forgot the specific
date).
* The total forwarding time on a temporary move cannot exceed 12 months.
* If you return to the original address for a minimum of 45 days, the 364 day
forwarding limit starts over, allowing you to submit a new Temporary COA
order.
* If you are not sure when you will return, please indicate your best
estimate. If this date should change while you are away, contact the local
Post Office for the original address and advise them of the new date to
stop forwarding the mail. If you have already returned, simply cancel your
temporary COA for mail delivery to resume.
See Premium Forwarding Service - Residential for additional temporary forwarding
options.
Permanent COA forwarding time limits: Mail sent to your old address will be
forwarded to the new address for a certain amount of time, depending on the mail
class (see chart below). Forwarding time limits for specific mail classes is as
follows.
Choosing Individual, Family, or Business
The person who submits this Change of Address (COA) form states that he or she
is the person, executor, guardian, authorized officer, or agent of the person
for whom mail would be forwarded under this order. Anyone submitting false or
inaccurate information on this form is subject to punishment by fine or
imprisonment or both under Sections 2, 1001, 1702 and 1708 of Title 18, United
States Code.
Individuals may not file a COA request for someone other than themselves, or for
a business, without authorization (i.e., notarized letter, power of attorney or
letter on company letterhead) showing they are an authorized agent of the
person(s) or business that is moving.
Change Of Address — Who's Moving?
Situation
Individual
Family
Business
One person only is changing their address
Select Individual MoveN/AN/A
Multiple persons with different last names
One for each person changing their addressN/AN/A
Some members of family changing their address, others not
One for each person changing their addressN/AN/A
Entire family, all have same last name
Select Individual if filing separate requests for each person moving
Select Family MoveN/A
One or more individuals with same last name changing their address, but moving
to different addresses
One for each person changing their address
N/AN/A
Entire business changing its address
N/AN/A
One COA covers entire company
Entire business changing its address; however, mail is received in different
names
N/AN/A
Complete a separate COA for the primary Business Names (do not file COAs for an
individual or a business entity or other organization associated with the
business)
Business moving to a residence
N/AN/ASelect Business Move
Individual(s) or family moving to a foreign country
* Not allowed online
* Go to your local Post Office
Individual/family moving from a business address
* Not allowed
* A Change of Address may not be filed with the USPS for an individual’s mail
addressed to an organization, or to the individual at his or her place of
employment, business, or other affiliation either during or after the
termination of the employment, business, or other relationship. The
organization may change the address (but not the name) on mail to redirect it
to such individuals. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the business to
forward an individual’s mail.
Individual/family moving from residence to business
Select Individual if filing separate requests for each person moving
Select Family Move if everyone moving has the same last name
N/A
Individual/family/business COA from a CMRA (Commercial Mail Receiving Agency)
address
* Not allowed. You may not file a COA from a CMRA
* The CMRA (not the United States Postal Service®) is solely responsible for
forwarding mail intended for individuals after the agency / recipient
relationship has terminated
* CMRAs that do forward the mail are required to put new postage on the mail
* A CMRA must accept and re-send mail to former customers for at least 6 months
after termination of the agency relationship
* After the 6-month period, the CMRA may refuse mail addressed to a former
customer
Individual/family/business COA to a CMRA (Commercial Mail Receiving Agency)
address
You may file a COA request to a CMRA
Individual/family/business new address is a PO Box
Check individual, family, or business depending on Move Type
Change of Address Confirmation
* After scheduling a Change of Address (COA), USPS will promptly mail, to the
address you are leaving, a Move Validation Letter (MVL) to validate the move.
MVL Envelope image
MVL Letter image
Within 5 Postal business days before the COA start date, you will also
receive a Welcome Kit containing your Customer Notification Letter (CNL) in
the mail at your new address.
A Change of Address Welcome Kit is a confirmation of the Change of Address,
effective date and name. The Customer Notification Letter is included in the
Welcome Kit and contains your 16-digit, numeric Confirmation Code (which is
displayed in the area of Confirmation Code). Hold on to the Code to easily
make changes or cancel your COA order. Without the Code, you’ll have to visit
a Post Office to change or cancel your COA order. The Welcome Kit also
contains:
* Helpful information for new residents
* A community guide filled with facts, special offers, and coupons related to
the customer's new address
* If you submitted your Change of Address (COA) online, you will receive the
MVL and CNL mentioned above. Additionally, you will also receive a Change of
Address Confirmation via email containing the Confirmation Code. Again, make
sure to retain the Code for future changes/cancellations.
*Due to privacy and security issues, USPS does not issue duplicate COA
confirmation letters except for special or unusual circumstances. In those
circumstances, a fee of $75.00 will be charged.
Users of Informed Delivery® Feature
Did you receive an email informing you that your access to Informed Delivery
service(s) has been temporarily suspended? The detection of a Change of Address
submission corresponding to your online account triggered this suspension for
security purposes. You can learn more about restoring these services by clicking
here.
What Happens Next
* USPS stops delivering mail to your old address on the designated Change of
Address (COA) start date.
* Mail starts arriving to your new address within 7-10 Postal business days of
the COA start date.
* Mail is forwarded to your new address for up to 12 months depending on the
mail class.
* Mail will not be forwarded to your new address if the mailer has instructed
the USPS to return the mailpiece if it is undeliverable as addressed.
When mail is being forwarded to you, you will have to wait until it is
delivered
* You may not pick up mail at the Post Office™ of your old address.
* The public is not allowed access to mail processing and you would not be able
to pick up any mail from a processing facility.
* There is no estimated delivery time for forwarded mail.
* USPS stops delivering mail to the customer's previous address on the
designated start date and begins the forwarding process to the new address.
During this 7-10 day period, your mail is inaccessible.
Mail Class
Forwarded for...
First-Class Mail® / USPS Ground Advantage™ / Priority Mail® service (bills,
invoices, personal correspondence, reply mail)
12 months
Priority Mail Express® service (merchandise, printed material)
12 months
Periodicals (magazines, newsletters)
60 days
USPS Marketing Mail® (advertisements, catalogs, retail offers)
Only forwarded IF the mailer specifies forwarding instructions
May be subject to postage due
Library Mail, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail®
12 months (Forwarded only to domestic addresses)
May be subject to postage due
* During months 13-18, the mail is returned to sender with your new address
attached.
* After 18 months, the mail is returned to sender, but will not have your new
address attached.
If you need mail forwarding for longer than the times listed above, you can
purchase Extended Mail Forwarding.
Remember: You can ensure a smooth, Change of Address transition if you do some
legwork up front, and notify anyone who sends you mail of your new address and
your move date.
Example of a Yellow Forwarding Label:
If no Change of Address is Filed
If you move without filing a Change of Address (COA) request, your mail carrier
will pick up the accumulated mail and leave a notice advising you that your mail
is available for pickup at the local Post Office. Your local Post Office will
automatically hold any accumulated mail for up to 10 calendar days. After that,
most mail items are returned to sender(s); items that cannot be forwarded or
returned back to the sender will be discarded.
How do Endorsements Affect my Mail Forwarding?
Endorsements are instructions from mailers to USPS that tell us what to do with
mail that cannot be delivered as addressed. Mailpieces sent from businesses,
financial institutions or government agencies that use ancillary
endorsements may not forward to your new address. Common examples could be
driver's licenses or bank statements. Please contact the sender of the mailpiece
you are looking for to ask whether it will forward or can be resent.
Can I have my Mail Forwarded to a Hospital?
A Change of Address (COA) can be filed to have your mail forwarded to a
hospital, but not from a hospital back to your home. To begin receiving your
mail at home again if it has been 12 months or less since you filed your Change
of Address, just cancel the forward to the hospital to begin receiving mail at
your previous address.
How do I File a COA for an International Address?
* You cannot submit a Change of Address online from an international address.
Please visit a Post Office to request a change of address in person to an
international address.
* If you are moving to an International address outside of the United States,
you will need to fill out the same Change of Address (COA) form PS Form
3575 that is filed for a domestic move at your Local Post Office™ and
complete identity proofing BEFORE leaving the United States.
* If you forget to submit a COA prior to moving to an International address,
you will need to notify everyone of your new address or authorize a designee
to submit a Change of Address form, PS Form 3575 on your behalf. An
authorization letter will be required.
Please Note: If you are filing a Change of Address from another country to the
United States, you will need to contact the foreign country's postal
administration.
Change of Address for Multiple People in a Household
* If some members of your household with the same last name are moving with
you, but others are staying, you need to fill out a separate Change of
Address (COA) form for each person moving, using the "individual" option.
* If members of your household with different last names are moving with you,
but others are staying, you need to fill out a separate COA form for each
person moving, using the "individual" option.
* If your entire family is moving to the same address and each member has the
same last name, you only need to fill out one COA form, using the "family"
option.
Still not sure where your COA situation falls? Check out this chart.
What about Change of Address Requests for Less Common Situations?
USPS handles Change of Address requests on a circumstantial basis. Several less
common and/or unique COA types and handling procedures are listed below:
* Deceased Persons
* Mail addressed to a deceased person may be received at the address of the
deceased by anyone who would normally receive mail at that address.
* Mail also may be forwarded to a different address (such as that of an
appointed executor or administrator) if an order of request is filed at the
Post Office™.
* In order to submit a COA to stop mail from being delivered to a deceased
person or to receive mail on behalf of a deceased person, legal
authorization (such as Executor) must be provided in person or by mail
along with a Change of Address (COA) form to the local Post Office of the
deceased.
* Possession of a death certificate does not qualify as legal authorization.
* General Delivery
* Mail can be forwarded to or from a general delivery address by using a PS
Form 3575 or Internet Change of Address. Local forwarding procedures may
vary. The Postmaster of some small towns may hand forward from General
Delivery.
* Mobile Addresses
* The United States Postal Service® does not offer mail forwarding and
message services to customers who live and travel in recreational vehicles
(RVs). However, there are some Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA)
(CMRAs) that specifically offer these services.
Modifying, Canceling or Disputing a Change of Address Request
To modify or cancel your Change of Address (COA) online, you must know your new
ZIP Code and have the Confirmation Code you received when you placed the COA
order.
1. Go to https://managemymove.usps.com/.
2. In the corresponding fields, enter your new ZIP Code and the Confirmation
Code.
3. Click Submit.
4. You can now edit various Change of Address fields according to your
modification/cancelation needs.
If you lose your Confirmation Code, go visit a Post Office and talk to a Postal
Clerk about any changes you want to make to your COA order.
Note: You will be able to make no more than 2 (two) changes in a single day*,
one of which can be street address line related. After two changes, you will
receive an error message that says: "You have exceeded the amount of changes
that you can make within the same day. Please try again in 48 hours."
* You may still cancel your Change of Address (COA) order& even if you have
exceeded 2 allowable changes.
Need more information? Learn about Change of Address and Forwarding of Military
Mail, the difference between Premium Forwarding and COA handling, and USPS Hold
Mail - The Basics: How will a Change of Address (COA) affect Hold Mail.
To dispute a Change of Address order
1. Go to https://managemymove.usps.com/.
2. Under Get Started
* Choose - Received a Change-of-Address confirmation but not moving?
File a dispute online
3. What is a Change-of-Address Order Dispute?
* If you are not moving but received an Official USPS Change of Address
Validation Letter, file a dispute to flag the order for investigation.
USPS Support will be notified to investigate and determine the proper
course of action.
4. How to find your Change of Address Key?
* This key is printed on the front of the Official USPS Change-of-Address
Validation Letter. The key is highlighted in the image below. Click image
to make larger.
5. What ZIP Code™ do I enter?
* Enter the ZIP Code™ that is on the Official USPS Change of Address
Validation Letter
Accordion summary...
Accordion body...
Change Request for New Construction
Customers must contact their local Post Office to establish delivery to new
construction prior to submitting any Change of Address.
Customer Information 2
Customer Information 3
Customer Information 4
Customer Information 5
Title
Change of Address - The Basics
URL Name
Change-of-Address-The-Basics
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