What USPS Mail Forwarding Does and Why You Need It

USPS mail forwarding tells the postal service to send your mail to a new address for a set period of time. When you move, the Post Office will redirect letters, bills, and packages addressed to your old home to wherever you tell them to send it. This matters because financial institutions, government agencies, and creditors send important documents by mail — tax forms, benefit statements, account notices, and payment requests. If mail goes to an old address, you might miss a important date or never know a payment arrived.

The forwarding service runs for a period you choose: typically 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year. After that time ends, mail to your old address stops being forwarded and goes back to the sender or sits at the post office. You can renew before it expires, or set up a new forward if you move again.

Key Takeaways

  • You can set up mail forwarding online at usps.com, by phone at 1-800-275-8777, or in person at your local Post Office, and each method takes 10 to 20 minutes.
  • The service costs $1.10 for 3 months, $2.20 for 6 months, or $4.40 for 1 year when you order online, and payment is by credit or debit card only.
  • You will need your old address, new address, and the date you want forwarding to start — ideally the day you move or a few days before.
  • Mail forwarding does not reach packages from Amazon or other retailers that use their own delivery networks, only mail handled by USPS.
  • You should notify your bank, insurance company, and any government programs you receive benefits from directly, rather than relying on forwarding alone.

Setting Up Mail Forwarding Online at USPS.com

The online method is the fastest and cheapest. Go to usps.com and look for the "Mail & Packages" section at the top of the page. Click on "Hold Mail" or "Change of Address" — the link may be labeled differently depending on what the site shows you, but it will be in that section. You will see options for different types of forwarding: residential (for a person moving), business, or seasonal. Choose residential.

Enter your old address exactly as it appears on your mail, including apartment or unit number if you have one. Then enter your new address. Pick your start date — this can be today, tomorrow, or any date up to 30 days in the future. Choose how long you want forwarding to last: 3 months ($1.10), 6 months ($2.20), or 1 year ($4.40). The site will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your credit history, then charge your credit or debit card. You will receive a confirmation email with a reference number. The forwarding usually starts the next business day.

Keep your confirmation number. If mail does not start forwarding within a week, or if you need to cancel or change the dates, you will need this number to contact USPS customer service.

Setting Up Mail Forwarding by Phone or In Person

If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, call USPS at 1-800-275-8777. A representative will walk you through the same questions: old address, new address, start date, and duration. They will take payment by credit or debit card over the phone. This method takes about 15 minutes and you will receive a confirmation number by email or mail.

You can also visit your local Post Office in person. Bring a form of ID and be ready to provide your old address, new address, and desired start date. The clerk will fill out the change-of-address form with you, take payment, and give you a receipt with your confirmation number. This is the slowest option but useful if you do not have a credit card or prefer to handle it face-to-face.

What Mail Forwarding Covers and What It Does Not

USPS mail forwarding covers letters, bills, and packages sent through the U.S. Postal Service. This includes your bank statements, Social Security notices, Medicare documents, tax forms, insurance bills, and letters from government agencies. If a piece of mail has postage on it or was sent by a business using USPS, it will be forwarded.

Mail forwarding does not cover packages from Amazon, UPS, FedEx, or other private carriers, even if they sometimes use USPS for the final delivery. It also does not cover mail addressed to "Resident" or "Occupant" — those pieces are considered advertising and are not forwarded. Magazines and subscriptions may or may not forward depending on the publisher; some honor the change of address and some do not.

First-class mail (regular letters and bills) forwards reliably. Periodicals (magazines) forward sometimes. Standard mail (bulk mail and advertising) does not forward. If you are waiting for something important from a specific sender, contact them directly and give them your new address rather than relying on forwarding.

Notifying Banks, Government Programs, and Other Important Contacts

Mail forwarding is a safety net, not a complete solution. You should contact your bank, credit card company, insurance company, and any government programs you receive benefits from — such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or pension programs — and give them your new address directly. This ensures they have your current information in their system and do not send important documents to your old address by mistake.

For government benefits, you can often update your address online through your account portal, by phone, or by visiting a local office. For banks and insurance, call the customer service number on your statement or bill and ask to update your mailing address. Have your account number ready. This takes 5 to 10 minutes per organization but prevents mail from being sent to the wrong place in the first place.

If you receive bills or statements from a creditor, mortgage lender, or loan servicer, update your address with them as well. These organizations sometimes send time-sensitive notices about payment due dates or account changes, and missing one can affect your credit or your ability to pay on time.

What to Do If Your Mail Forwarding Expires or Stops Working

Mail forwarding lasts only as long as you set it up for — 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year. After that date, mail addressed to your old address will no longer be forwarded. If you are still expecting mail at your old address, you can renew your forwarding before it expires by going back to usps.com or calling 1-800-275-8777. You will pay the fee again for the new period.

If you notice that mail is not being forwarded when it should be, check that your start date has passed and your forwarding has not expired. If both are correct, contact USPS with your confirmation number. They can investigate whether the mail was processed correctly. Sometimes mail from certain senders does not forward due to how they address it or because they use a mail service that does not honor change-of-address requests.

If you move again before your current forwarding expires, you can set up a second forward from your new address to your newest address. USPS will forward mail from your old address to your intermediate address, and then forward it again to your final address — but this adds time and can cause delays. It is better to cancel the first forward and set up a new one from your original old address to your newest address if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does mail forwarding cost money?

Yes. Online forwarding costs $1.10 for 3 months, $2.20 for 6 months, or $4.40 for 1 year. Phone and in-person requests may cost slightly more. You pay by credit or debit card at the time you set it up.

How long does it take for mail forwarding to start?

Online orders usually start the next business day. Phone and in-person orders may take 1 to 3 business days. Mail sent to your old address after your start date should be forwarded, but allow up to a week for the system to catch up.

Can I set up mail forwarding for someone else?

No. The person moving must set it up themselves or authorize you in writing. USPS requires identity verification to prevent fraud. If you are helping an older family member, you can do it together online or in person, but they must be present or provide written permission.

What happens to mail after forwarding expires?

Mail addressed to your old address will no longer be forwarded. The Post Office will return it to the sender marked "No Longer at This Address," or it may be discarded. Renew your forwarding before it expires if you are still expecting mail.

Will my prescriptions and medical records forward?

Prescriptions and medical records sent by mail will forward if they are sent through USPS. However, you should notify your doctor's office, pharmacy, and any medical providers directly with your new address to may support they have it in their system. This is especially important for prescription refills and appointment reminders.