Whether you’re moving or just planning an extended stay away from home, you’ll need to set up mail forwarding to make sure you keep getting your mail.
In most cases, mail forwarding is easy to set up and works well, but this is not always the case. so if you’re worried your mail forwarding isn’t working, check out our guide on what to do.
why isn’t usps mail forwarding working in 2022?
usps mail forwarding may not work for a variety of reasons in 2022. For example, it could be due to an incomplete change of address form or a clerical error on the change of address form. it is also possible that the lost mail is not eligible for re-sending or the change of address request has expired.
You probably still have questions about mail forwarding not working and want to know how to fix it, so be sure to keep reading to learn more!
does usps mail forwarding work?
If you suspect there’s a problem with your usps mail forwarding request, your first instinct might be to wonder if usps mail forwarding works to begin with.
In most cases, it works and USPS will forward your mail for free when you complete a change of address form. You can complete this form online or at the post office (Form 3575).
Completing the form online requires a one-time fee of $1.10 for ID verification, and completing it in person is free.
mail forwarding can begin within 3 business days of usps receiving your request. however, it is best to send it at least 2 weeks before you move.
how does usps mail forwarding work?
When you have requested mail forwarding, your packages will go to a central processing facility. once there, it checks for a forwarding request and then forwards to your new address.
Correspondence will be sent to you piece by piece as it is received by usps. you will see a yellow label at the bottom of the envelope where your new address is printed.
It’s worth noting that mail forwarding is a service that should be used to redirect mail when you move.
While this offers a great temporary safety net, it is not a long-term solution. USPS will only forward your mail for the amount of time you request (from 2 weeks to 1 year).
During that time, you’ll need to contact your bank, government agencies (eg, IRS or DMV), and loved ones to give them your new address.
In fact, mail from service providers and government agencies is not eligible for mail forwarding, so it is essential that you contact them as soon as possible.
This is what you can expect from mail forwarding for different types of mail services:
- first class mail and periodicals (newsletters and magazines) are forwarded free of charge.
- premium shipping services (priority mail, express express and first class package) are forwarded for free.
- media mail and usps retail ground are forwarded, but you need to pay the shipping cost from your local post office to your new address.
- usps marketing mail is not forwarded
why won’t my usps mail forward?
There are many reasons why your mail is not being forwarded. we’ll go over a few here:
- your request was not sent: If you did not receive a confirmation code (online change of address request) or a letter (paper change of address request), then usps did not receive your information .
- Clerical error: You made a mistake on your change of address form (for example, an incorrect zip code or house number).
- Ineligible mail: Mail from government agencies, service providers (for example, gas, water, or electricity), and mail from the media cannot be forwarded.
- do not forward requests from senders: Senders will sometimes label mail as “do not forward”. if that’s the case, their mail will be returned.
- It’s been too long; you must complete a duration for mail forwarding, and this period can last up to 1 year. you will no longer receive forwarded mail after that time. Please note that serials are only forwarded for 60 days, even if your request is longer.
how do i fix usps mail forwarding problems?
Before trying to resolve your mail forwarding problem, review the possible explanations above and try to narrow down what the problem might be. once you have an idea, check out these tips:
if you suspect your request was not sent:
Check to see if you received a confirmation code via email or letter in the mail notifying you of your address change request. if you have not received any, please complete a new request as soon as possible to avoid delays in the mail.
if you suspect a clerical error:
- visit the usps change of address webpage.
- scroll to the bottom of the page and click the “view or edit” link next to the question “already Has your address changed?
- fill in the fields with your unique confirmation number and your new zip code.
- after completing the form, check your email for a confirmation letter.
- click “get started” after entering your information.
- after checking for errors or modifying your request, expect forwarded mail to start arriving at your new address within 7 to 10 business days.
if your mail is not eligible:
Contact the government agencies or service providers from whom you expected to receive mail. check if they have sent you any mail recently. request an additional copy if needed and be sure to update your new address.
if your email has a do not forward request:
contact the sender and update your address.
if your request has expired:
contact the senders and update them with your new address.
For more information, you can also see our posts on the usps mail handler, what to do if your usps package goes the wrong way, and how long it takes for usps priority express mail.
conclusion
mail forwarding is a useful service when it works, but unfortunately it is prone to errors, both from the person making the request and from usps. Fortunately, it’s a pretty easy problem to fix.