Getting mail delivered to a new address requires two parallel actions : filing a USPS Change of Address to forward existing mail automatically, and updating your address directly with every sender that matters. The forwarding handles the transition period — the direct updates make the change permanent.
Here's the complete process in the right order, what each step covers, and the senders most people forget to update.
Step 1 — File Your USPS Change of Address
The USPS Change of Address (COA) is the foundation. It intercepts mail sent to your old address and redirects it to your new one for 12 months, giving you time to update each sender individually.
How to file : Go to moversguide.usps.com — the official USPS portal. Complete the form with your old address, new address, and the forwarding start date. Pay the $1.10 identity verification fee. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days. File at least 2 weeks before your move to avoid any gap in coverage.
Individual vs family : You can file for yourself alone or for an entire family at the same address. Unrelated adults sharing a home each need to file separately — a family COA only covers people with the same last name.
What it covers : First-class mail and priority mail for 12 months. Periodicals for 60 days. Standard advertising mail and media mail are not forwarded. FedEx, UPS, and Amazon packages are not covered — those require direct address updates with each carrier.
USPS Informed Delivery : Sign up simultaneously at informeddelivery.usps.com — a free service that emails you daily scans of incoming mail and package tracking. At a new address, this is particularly useful for confirming that forwarding is working correctly and identifying which senders still have your old address on file.
📮 Your new mailbox must be ready before mail arrives USPS will deliver to your new address from the first day of forwarding. Make sure your mailbox is installed, correctly positioned (41 to 45 inches from road surface), and clearly numbered before that date. See our guide on how to replace a mailbox on an existing post if you need a quick installation at the new address, or browse our modern mailbox collection for USPS-compliant options with free shipping.
Step 2 — Update High-Priority Senders First
USPS forwarding is a bridge — not a destination. The goal is to update every sender directly so that by the time forwarding expires at 12 months, every piece of mail is already going to your new address without the redirect.
Start with the senders where a gap in communication has real consequences.
Financial and legal — update within the first week : Your bank and all credit card issuers. Your mortgage lender or landlord. Your investment and retirement account providers. Your insurance providers (health, auto, home/renters). Your attorney and accountant if relevant. Any loan servicers.
Government — update within the first two weeks : IRS via Form 8822 at irs.gov — critical for tax correspondence and refund checks. State DMV for driver's license and vehicle registration — required by law in most states within 30 days of moving. Social Security Administration via ssa.gov. Veterans Affairs if applicable. Any state agencies that send you correspondence.
Employer and benefits — update promptly : Your employer's HR department for W-2s, payroll, and benefits correspondence. Your health insurance if separate from employer. Any professional licensing boards that mail renewal notices.
Step 3 — Update Secondary Senders Systematically
After the critical updates, work through everything else using your forwarded mail as a guide. Every piece that arrives via forward is a reminder to update that sender.
Online accounts : Amazon, major retailers, subscription boxes, and any service with a saved delivery address. Log into each account and update the address — don't assume they'll follow the USPS COA, because package carriers don't.
Subscriptions and memberships : Magazine and newspaper subscriptions, professional associations, gym memberships, club memberships, alumni associations. Annual renewal notices may only arrive once a year — don't wait for them to arrive forwarded to know they need updating.
Healthcare : Your doctor's office, dentist, pharmacy (for prescription renewals and insurance correspondence), specialist providers, and any medical billing services.
Utilities and services at the new address : Set up new utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet) with your new address from day one. These rarely transfer automatically and are not handled by USPS forwarding.
🔒 Secure your new address from day one Moving to a new home means a fresh start on mail security too. If your new address has an open, unsecured mailbox, it's accessible to anyone walking past — a particular concern when you're still establishing yourself in a new neighborhood and don't yet know your neighbors or the area's mail theft risk. A locking mailbox ensures all mail arriving at your new address is secure from the first delivery.
The Senders Most People Forget
These are consistently the sources of mail that shows up months after a move because they were overlooked in the initial address update sweep.
Annual mailers : property tax statements (if you own), vehicle registration renewals, annual insurance renewals, club or association memberships with yearly billing cycles, and alumni association mailings. These only arrive once a year and may not appear in your forwarded mail until months after your move.
Former employers : W-2s arrive in January for the prior tax year — if you moved during the year, your previous employer may have your old address. Update HR at any job you held during the move year.
Inactive accounts : old bank accounts, credit cards you rarely use, investment accounts opened years ago. These send annual statements, security notices, or reactivation letters that you may not expect.
Government agencies at state level : jury duty notices, state tax correspondence, voter registration, and professional license renewals all come from state agencies that may not receive your federal COA update.
FAQ
How do I get mail sent to my new address? File a USPS Change of Address at moversguide.usps.com ($1.10 fee) to forward first-class mail from your old address for 12 months. Simultaneously update your address directly with every sender — banks, IRS, DMV, employers, and all services you use.
How long does it take for mail to start going to a new address? USPS forwarding begins 7 to 10 business days after filing. Direct updates with senders vary — financial institutions typically update within 1 to 5 business days, government agencies within 2 to 4 weeks.
Does USPS automatically update my address with everyone? No. USPS forwarding intercepts mail in transit — it doesn't notify your senders. Each sender needs a direct address update in their own system. Forwarding buys you time, it doesn't replace the individual updates.
Do FedEx and UPS packages forward automatically with a USPS COA? No. USPS Change of Address only covers USPS mail. FedEx, UPS, and Amazon packages require direct address updates with each carrier and each retailer.
What if I forget to update an important sender before forwarding expires? After 12 months, first-class mail to your old address returns to sender with a yellow label showing your current address — giving them one final automatic update. This is a safety net but not a reliable strategy for important correspondence.
