If you’re moving soon, you’re probably wondering what will happen to your mail. If you don’t plan ahead, a change of residence could mean your mail ends up in the hands of strangers occupying your old home.
if you’re concerned about losing valuable letters or packages, consider requesting usps mail forwarding service before you move. this article will help answer some of the most common questions about forwarding your mail with usps:
what is mail forwarding with usps?
mail forwarding is a service used to redirect mail each time you move. the optional service simply redirects mail without actually changing your address. If you don’t tell people or businesses that send you mail when you change your address, you can be sure the USPS will forward your mail to your current address.
There are two types of mail forwarding services with USPS:
- Regular Mail Forwarding: Regular Mail Forwarding is a standard mail forwarding service in which the USPS forwards your mail piece by piece once you change your address. the service can also ship some specific items for free, such as priority mail, periodicals, and first class mail, among others.
- premium forwarding services: this service provides more flexibility and control over how you want to get your mail forwarded. premium forwarding service is ideal for anyone who prefers to receive their mail only for a while. It can also be a good option if you want to receive your company’s mail in one place.
how does usps mail forwarding work?
As mentioned above, mail forwarding is a service that redirects all your mail to your new address once you move. Your forwarding order is entered into the national address database so that when someone sends a letter or package to your old address, the fact that you’ve moved to a new location is detected at the source. then a barcode for your new address is printed on your mail. Simply put, Mail Forwarding allows USPS to detect your lost letters and automatically redirect them to your new address.
the steps to set up mail forwarding with usps
You can set up mail forwarding by filling out a ps 3575 form at your local post office or by submitting your change of address (cao) form online:
visit your local post office
The following is a step-by-step guide to setting up mail forwarding with the USPS:
- visit your local post office a few days before you move
- fill out an official usps coa form
- give the form to the postal worker
- a confirmation letter is sent to your new address after five business days
online application
The following are the steps to apply online for mail forwarding with the USPS:
- go to the usps website and navigate to the address change page.
- fill in all necessary information, including your personal information, old address and new address.
- choose whether to change your address permanently or temporarily.
- pay the identity verification fee.
- you will receive an email from usps with a confirmation code.
- an email is sent to your new address.
which usps mail forwarding form should i use?
It is crucial to complete a proper form when changing address. There are three main forms to choose from when applying for USPS Mail Forwarding:
- Individual Change of Address Form: This is the form you use if only one person in the household is moving. You can also use this form if multiple household members move to different locations. this means that if you and your roommates move to different places, each of you must complete a separate individual coa form.
- family address change form: this form is used when everyone in a single household shares the same last name and moves to the same place. this form is useful when you want to forward all of your family’s mail to a new address.
- business address change form: a business entity must complete their own specific address change form. As long as you have the authority to forward mail for your organization, you can change the address for the entire company using this form.
when will usps mail forwarding start?
mail forwarding typically begins within three days of submitting the request. however, it is best to allow 7-14 days for your mail to be forwarded to your new address as received. If you’d like to start receiving your mail on move-in day, be sure to submit your request at least three days in advance.
how much does usps mail forwarding cost?
USPS forwards your First Class® Mail for free via the standard COA form. however, if you complete the form online, you must pay a one-time fee of $1.05 for identification purposes. The USPS charges an initial setup fee of $21.90 and an ongoing weekly fee for its Residential Premium Forwarding Service® (PFS-residential).
How will the postal service know the date of my move?
During the application process, you are allowed to select the date you want the USPS to begin forwarding your mail to a new address. you should expect to receive your mail at your new address on the date of your move or a few days after your selected start date.
how do i know my usps mail forwarding request was successful?
Once you successfully complete and submit your application, the post office will promptly send you a move validation letter to your new address. The Postal Service will then process your COA form before sending an official USPS Customer Notification Letter to your updated address. If you applied online, a change of address confirmation with your confirmation code will be sent to your inbox.
what do I do if I don’t receive my mail?
If the 14-day window period expires before you receive your mail at your new address, visit your local post office and let them know about your challenge. be sure to take your ID and confirmation code with you for reference.
how long does usps forward mail?
Unfortunately, you can’t forward your mail forever. USPS forwards all types of mail for up to 12 months. This means you’ll have a full calendar year without worrying about losing valuable cards or packs. however, the usps has a shorter forwarding limit of up to 60 days maximum for periodicals such as magazines and newspapers.
can usps allow a mail forwarding extension?
You can request a mail forwarding extension beyond one year. however, to qualify for the extension, you must show that you are likely to experience financial hardship if the extended remand is not granted. You must also show that you are doing your best to notify correspondents of your new address.
what mail can be forwarded for free?
All First Class Mail, Periodicals, and Premium Shipping Services, such as Priority Express Mail, First Class Parcel, and Priority Mail, are forwarded free of charge. however, to have media mail and usps retail ground mail forwarded, you must pay the cost of mailing from your local post office to your current address.
what type of mail will not be forwarded?
The post office says that no standard mail, such as advertising, catalogs, books, and circulars, will be forwarded unless requested by the sender.
does usps mail forwarding include packages?
usps forwards only First Class Mail® packages with temporary or permanent Standard Mail Forwarding. the service forwards packets for free.
what happens if i don’t submit a usps mail forwarding request?
If you don’t submit a usps mail forwarding request when you move, the post office collects and stores your mail for up to 10 days. after the 10-day period, mail is returned to sender whenever possible. If the USPS can’t return the mail, they will throw it away.
Who else should I notify when I move to a new address?
Although it helps to forward your mail as it was received, your USPS Change of Address Order cannot automatically update personnel records with your new address. this means you have to update the address yourself. Some of the entities to notify when you move include:
- irs – Use Form 8822 to contact IRS regarding a change of address. this ensures that you receive tax refunds and other important mail from the irs at your new address.
- dmv: after moving to a new address, you must update your driver’s license with your new address. visit your local dmv website for steps to update your dmv.
- social security: if you move to a new place, change your address with the social security administration to make sure you receive disability benefits, social security retirement, or medicare services.
- Banks and credit card companies: You should also update banks and credit card companies with new billing addresses once you move.
- elections office: Be sure to contact your state elections office regarding a change of address once you move. this ensures that you get a new polling station for the next election.
receive your mail after a move
There are several things to consider during a move. One of the most crucial steps is to update your address to make sure you receive all mail at your new address.
register your change of address with usps for a mail forwarding service to avoid losing mail going to your old address. This service helps the USPS track your lost letters and redirect them to their new home. Check out our tips on forwarding mail when moving in together, forwarding your graduation mail, and tips on forwarding mail when moving in with a baby.