Are you moving or want to rent a post office box? Learn how to change your address to continue receiving mail or reserve a box at your local post office.
How to Change Your Address With the Postal Service
To let the post office know you are going to change your address permanently or temporarily and want your mail forwarded to your new location, you have two options:
- Go to USPS.com/move to change your address online.
- This is the fastest and easiest way, and you immediately get an email confirming the change.
- There is a $1.10 charge to change your address online. You will need a credit or debit card and a valid email address. The $1.10 charge to your card is an identity verification fee to prevent fraud and make sure you're the one making the change.
- Warning: You don't need to pay a separate company to change your address. Scammers may charge $40 or more to do what you can do for just $1.10 using the moving section of the official USPS.com website.
- Go to your local post office and request the Mover’s Guide packet.
- Inside the packet is PS Form 3575. Fill out this change of address form and give it to a postal worker behind the counter. Or, drop it into the letter mail slot inside the post office.
- You should receive a confirmation letter at your new address in five business days.
How to Change Your Address With Other Government Agencies
Other federal and state agencies to contact when changing your address include:
Forward or Hold Your Mail
Are you making a temporary move or heading out of town? The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) can forward your mail to a new address or hold it at your local post office for a limited time.
Forward Your Mail
If your move is temporary, the USPS can forward your mail from your old address to a new one for 15 days to one year.
Hold Your Mail
If you'll be away for three to 30 days, USPS can hold your mail at your local post office until you return. You can typically request this service as early as 30 days in advance or as late as the day before you want the hold to start.
- Begin by creating or signing in to your USPS account. You can check to see if hold mail service is available for your address and choose the dates for your hold mail request.
- Note: USPS has added an extra one-time-only security measure for online hold mail requests. You'll need to verify your identity online through a mobile phone passcode. Or, you can request an identity verification passcode to be mailed to your address. If you're not able to complete the identity verification online, you can still place a hold on your mail by going to your local post office.
- If you want your mail held for longer than 30 days, sign up for the USPS mail forwarding service.
For a permanent move, learn how to change your address with the USPS.
File a Complaint with the U.S. Postal Service
Complaint About Mail Service
Do you have a complaint, compliment, or suggestion for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS)? Maybe you’re looking for more information about USPS’s services. There are several ways to let them know:
United States Postal Service
Office of the Consumer Advocate
475 L’ Enfant Plaza SW
Washington, D.C. 20260-0004
Theft, Fraud, or Waste by the USPS or a USPS Employee
File a complaint with the USPS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) by:
Mail Fraud or Theft by a Person or Company
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the federal law enforcement agency that protects the mail system. Contact them to report:
Comment or Complain About a Policy Change
To comment or complain about a major policy change, such as postage rates, contact the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). You can do so by using their online contact form.
Find ZIP Codes and Post Offices
You can find ZIP Codes and post office locations, and track a package with online tools from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
ZIP Code
Use the ZIP Code lookup tool to search for a ZIP Code by address, city, company name, or partial address. You can also search for all city/town names in a ZIP Code.
Post Office
Use the Post Office Locator to search for post offices, approved postal providers, self service kiosks, collection boxes, and other services.
Do you have a question?
Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.
Last Updated: November 8, 2022
