United States Post Office Address Change – A Comprehensive Guide

Every year, millions of individuals in the United States initiate a move to a new location. One of the critical steps in this process is to update your address with the United States Postal Service (USPS). An update ensures that your mail successfully follows you to your new residence and prevents important documents from getting lost.

There are several ways to do this, and the USPS has made the process incredibly simple. You can change your address online, in person at a post office, or through the mail.

Changing Your Address Online

The most convenient method available to make an address change is by visiting the USPS’s official website. After navigating to their “Change of Address” page, you will be required to fill in the details of your move. Details such as the moving date, the nature of the move (family, business or individual) and obviously, the new address. An identity verification step, which usually costs $1.05, will finalize the process.

Changing Your Address In-Person

If you would rather conduct the process of changing your address physically, visit your local USPS branch. At the post office, you will be provided a PS Form 3575, which you will fill. After that, a postal worker will process your request. The advantage of this method is that it’s free of charge and allows you to interact directly with USPS staff who can help with any confusion or complications.

Changing Your Address By Mail

You can also opt to change your address by mail. To do this, download and print the PS Form 3575 from the USPS website. After filling it out, you’ll send it through the mail to the post office. Remember, this method may take longer due to postal delivery times and the paperwork processing period at the USPS.

Once the USPS receives and processes your change of address, they will send you a Move Validation Letter (MVL) to your new address to confirm the status change. The post office will then forward your mail to the new location for up to a year for first-class mail.

For temporary moves, USPS can forward your mail to a new address for a specified period, usually between 15 days and one year. Irrespective of the method chosen, you can cancel or edit your address change by visiting USPS’s official website and navigating to the change of address section.

USPS PO Box Renewal

If you have a PO Box with the USPS, address changes are slightly different. Instead of regular address changes, you are required to follow a renewal process. The USPS PO Box renewal process can also be handled online, in-person, or by mail. It’s important to renew your PO Box when moving to ensure that your mail continues to be received. Your PO Box remains at the original post office, and USPS can forward your mail from the box to your new location.

In conclusion, changing your address when you move is a necessary process to ensure you don’t miss out on any important mail. With the United States Postal Service’s different options to cater to everyone’s preferences, the process becomes less daunting and convenient for everyone involved.