Choose the USPS service that matches your plans: use a permanent Change of Address when you move for good, a temporary Change of Address when you are staying elsewhere, Hold Mail for a short trip of up to 30 days, or paid Premium Forwarding Service when you want residential mail bundled and shipped weekly. Forwarding does not cover every mail class, so check eligibility for important items and file early.
Choose the right USPS service
| Your situation | USPS service | How it works | Key limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| You have moved permanently | Permanent Change of Address (COA) | USPS forwards eligible mail pieces individually to your new address. | Coverage varies by mail class; some mail is excluded. USPS Mail Forwarding Options |
| You are staying at another address temporarily | Temporary Change of Address | USPS forwards eligible mail pieces to the temporary address. | At least 15 days; the initial request can be for up to 185 days, with total forwarding capped at 364 days. USPS Change of Address – The Basics and Domestic Mail Manual 507 |
| You are away briefly and want delivery paused | Hold Mail | USPS holds mail at your local Post Office instead of delivering it; you can arrange pickup or home delivery when you return. | Up to 30 days, according to the 2025 USPS Postal Customer Guide |
| You want residential mail bundled and sent to a temporary address | Premium Forwarding Service Residential | USPS sends a weekly shipment by Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express. | Paid service; check current fees and enrollment terms. USPS Premium Forwarding Services |
The practical difference is whether mail is forwarded piece by piece or held or bundled for later delivery. For a move that is permanent, use a permanent COA; for a temporary stay, choose the temporary COA rather than treating the move as permanent.
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How to file a Change of Address
- Decide whether the change is permanent or temporary. For temporary forwarding, set the start and end dates. USPS says a temporary request must cover at least 15 days and may initially run for up to 185 days. You can extend it; the Domestic Mail Manual describes the second filing, and total temporary forwarding cannot exceed 364 days. See USPS Change of Address – The Basics and Domestic Mail Manual 507.
- Submit the request online or in person. Use the USPS Mover’s Guide to file online, or get PS Form 3575 at a Post Office. USPS says the form can no longer be printed from a home computer; its PS Form 3575 guidance explains what the form looks like.
- Complete identity verification. USPS requires online identity verification and describes a $1.25 verification fee. If USPS cannot authenticate a request properly, it may require additional online or in-person proofing. For an international move, USPS says you must verify your identity and submit the COA in person at a Post Office before leaving the United States. See USPS Standard Forward Mail & Change of Address.
- File for the right person or household. Submit the COA for the person, family, or business moving, and make sure the filer is authorized. USPS may require supporting documentation if you file for someone else or the last name on your photo identification differs from the request. See USPS Change of Address – The Basics.
- Allow time for forwarding to begin. USPS says forwarding may start within three business days but recommends allowing up to two weeks. Do not assume an important item will arrive immediately after submitting the request. See USPS Standard Forward Mail & Change of Address.
Know what mail will and will not be forwarded
A COA is not a universal rerouting instruction for every piece of mail. USPS’s listed treatment depends on mail class:
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- Forwarded free: Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage.
- Forwarded with charges due: Media Mail, for which postage or shipping charges may be collected.
- Not forwarded: USPS Marketing Mail.
These categories are based on USPS’s Mail Forwarding Options and Standard Forward Mail & Change of Address pages. If a package or letter is critical, check its exact class with the sender before relying on forwarding.
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Handle brief trips and bundled forwarding
Use Hold Mail for a short absence
Hold Mail pauses delivery rather than redirecting mail to another address. USPS’s 2025 Postal Customer Guide says a hold can last up to 30 days, with pickup or home delivery arranged when you return. If you will be away longer or need mail sent elsewhere, choose a COA or investigate Premium Forwarding Service instead. Details are in the 2025 USPS Postal Customer Guide.
Use Premium Forwarding Service for weekly shipments
Premium Forwarding Service Residential is the option for bundling residential mail into weekly shipments to a temporary address, sent by Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express. It is a paid service; consult USPS’s current service page for fees and enrollment details.
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What a COA does not change
A Change of Address updates your mailing address with USPS; it does not update your records with other organizations. Contact banks, government agencies, employers, subscription providers, and other senders separately. USPS describes this limitation on its Standard Forward Mail & Change of Address page.
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For a permanent domestic COA, USPS offers Extended Mail Forwarding for an additional 6, 12, or 18 months. The current USPS FAQ lists fees of $26, $39, and $52 respectively; these amounts are subject to change, so confirm them on the Extended Mail Forwarding FAQ before enrolling. This paid extension applies to permanent domestic forwarding, not as a way to exceed the 364-day cap on a temporary COA.
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