Here’s the Easiest Way to Forward Your Mail Before You Move (It’s So Simple!)

Before you even get the keys to your new place, you need to make one all-important move: Set up your mail forwarding. It’s an easy task to forget, and you might put it off in the midst of packing or because you’re wondering, “How do I forward my mail?” Thankfully, forwarding your mail is an easy process that you can sign up for directly through the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Ready to mark this chore off your to-do list and make sure you don’t miss a single important bill or correspondence? Here’s exactly how you can forward your mail in six easy steps.

For most people, the easiest way to forward mail is to submit a change-of-address form online. It’s a quick, easy process. USPS recommends starting this process at least 2 weeks before you plan to move.

1. Go to the Official USPS Change of Address® website.
2. Choose the situation that is most relevant for you, whether that’s individual, family, or business. Then, set the date when the mail should start forwarding. Note: You can also update your voter registration at the same time! 
3. Verify your identity via a verification code or mobile phone verification, and pay the verification fee. This costs $1.10 as of April 2025.
4. USPS will then send you a confirmation code. Hold on to this code in case you need to reference your request later.
5. You should receive a Move Validation letter at your previous address (it’s helpful to do this a few days before you move!), as well as a Customer Notification letter at your new address.
6. Mail will begin to arrive at your new address!

When you submit a permanent change-of-address request and sign up for mail forwarding, any letters or packages sent to your previous address will be forwarded to your new address. While it’s important to contact those who will regularly send you mail or let your bank or insurance company know that you’ve moved, this is helpful for all of those straggler bills, letters, and packages that might not have your updated contact information.

You can also sign up for mail forwarding temporarily. For example, if you’re moving somewhere for a semester or relocating for the winter, you can forward your mail only during that time. Note that there is a minimum of 15 days and maximum of one year for mail forwarding via a temporary change-of-address request.

Mail forwarding through USPS is free! You can walk into any post office and fill out the form. If you fill out the form online, forwarding is still free, but you will pay a $1.10 identity validation fee. Beyond the standard mail forwarding period, you can pay $22.50 to extend it for six months, $33.50 for 12, and $44.50 for 18 months.

For those who want the convenience of having their mail packed up for them each week and delivered in one weekly Priority Mail shipment, you can pay for Premium Forwarding, which costs $24.70 to enroll online or $26.85 to enroll in person, plus an additional $27.80 weekly.

Standard mail forwarding will last for 12 months, which should give you enough time to remember to update your address with anyone who might need it. You can choose to purchase extended mail forwarding, which will forward your mail for an additional 6, 12, or 18 months on top of the initial year. This is something you can request when you first sign up for mail forwarding, or you can add it on later.

It’s worth noting, however, that magazines only forward for 60 days, so switch those subscriptions over to your new address ASAP.

There are just a few situations where you will have to go in person to forward your mail (though anyone can!). If you’re moving outside of the United States, filling out the request for someone other than yourself, or you’re unable to verify your identity online, then you will have to go in person.

In these cases, you’ll go to the nearest post office; make sure you have your photo ID. Ask the post office associate for a Mover’s Guide packet, and fill out PS Form 3575. Your request will be processed and mail will be forwarded starting on your requested date.

Some institutions will get the information from the post office and reach out asking to confirm whether you’ve moved. But, unfortunately, the easiest way to let everyone know is to actually let them know. Sending an email with your change of address is one easy option to let people know en masse, or you can go the snail mail route and send out change of address cards. You can also get return labels made with a “Please note our new address” at the top.

Whether you’re finally realizing your dream of moving to Europe for a year, or you’re spending six months working on a project across the country, sometimes you only need to forward your mail for a finite amount of time.

If you’re moving to another location for anywhere from 15 days to one year, you can use temporary mail forwarding. This looks super similar to forwarding your mail for a permanent move, and a temporary address update even uses the same form. Here’s how to do it.

1. Go to the Official USPS Change of Address® website, just as you would for normal mail forwarding.
2. Choose whether the forwarding is for an individual, a family, or a business, depending on what is right for your situation. 
3. The form asks, “Are you planning on returning to your old address in six months or less?” Check “yes” even if you plan to need this service for up to a year (more on that in the next step). This will mark your Change of Address as temporary.  
4. Enter the dates you want your mail to start forwarding and stop forwarding. Note that the initial forwarding period is set to six months, though you can extend a temporary Change of Address up to one year.
5. Verify your identity via a verification code or mobile phone verification, and pay the $1.10 verification fee.
6. USPS will then send you a confirmation code. Hold on to this code in case you need to reference your request later.
7. You should receive a Move Validation letter at your previous address (it’s helpful to do this a few days before you move!), as well as a Customer Notification letter at your new address.
8. Mail will begin to arrive at your new (and temporary) address! 

Check out the The New Mover to discover the latest tips and most innovative hacks to make your next move the smoothest one yet. This content was presented by a sponsor; it was created independently by our editorial team.