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How to Forward Mail to Another Address

The Common Team

Whether you’re moving to a new state or one block over, one of the key items on your to-do list will be making sure your important mail finds you at your new home. Even if you seem to only get flyers and coupons, some critical communications still arrive only by snail mail. 

For some individuals, filling out a United States Postal Service (USPS) change of address form may take care of it, but it’s not always that cut and dry.

To ensure none of your key correspondence goes into the wrong mailbox, let’s take a closer look at how to forward mail to another address.

Why Do You Need to Forward Your Mail? 

When you move to a new address, you’ll probably want to share your updated info with friends and family. When the time comes, you may also update your forwarding address with places like your bank, your workplace, and any online retailers you receive shipments from. 

But even if you’re timely with all your address updates, it can still take time for these changes to take effect on the business side of things. That means some pieces of mail could unintentionally end up at your old place.

Filing a change of address to forward your mail accomplishes a few things at once. It can:1 

With mail forwarding, you won’t have to worry that your grandmother’s handmade card is sitting in your former mailbox—or that you’ll miss an important bill. Instead, the post office will take care of seamlessly sending mail to your new abode, at least for a time.

What Are the Steps of Forwarding Your Mail? 

If you’re moving to a new apartment, you might have all kinds of things on your mind—like how to pack up your prized pottery, or finding your new go-to coffee shop. Fortunately, the process of setting up mail forwarding is relatively simple. 

You can request permanent mail forwarding service with the United States Postal Service in two ways. Choose either:1 

  1. In-person – You can visit any United States Post Office to set up mail forwarding. If you need to look up a location, you can do so at the USPS Locations page. Ask for a free Mover’s Guide packet, which contains PS Form 3575. Fill this out and return it to the postal worker along with your official identification, such as a driver’s license or state ID card. 
  2. Online – Completing your address change online is even simpler. Visit the Official USPS Change of Address website, complete the permanent change of address form, and pay the $1.10 fee to verify your identity.2 Once this is complete, the USPS will email a confirmation code to you which can then be used to cancel or modify your request. 

Note that the online option is only available if your new address is within the United States. If you’re moving from one country to another, it may require an in-person visit to your local post office.

When Should You Submit a Change of Address?

Once you have your move details locked down, add mail forwarding to your move preparation checklist. To ensure your mail is forwarded in a timely manner, it’s best to take this step ahead of your “right down the block” or cross country move—but it’s not your only option.

You can request mail forwarding to your new address within the following time frames:2 

While the latter option can save you in a pinch, USPS advises that it’s best to plan ahead. It can take up to three days for mail forwarding to take effect, so for best results, try to submit your request at least two weeks before your move.

What Is Included in USPS Mail Forwarding? 

Forgot to tell Great Aunt Gertie your new address? No worries—that birthday card with a crisp five-dollar bill will still find you at your new home. Forwarded mail includes:1 

So long as you move to a new location within the United States, other types of packages sent via USPS will be forwarded, too. However, you’ll have to pay the additional shipping cost from your previous location’s post office to your new address. These include: 

What About Junk Mail?

If you’re accustomed to tossing half of your mailbox contents in the trash, you’ll be delighted to know that most junk mail doesn’t follow you to your new address. 

Items sent via USPS Marketing Mail (formerly known as standard class, standard A, third class, or bulk mail) are not forwarded unless the business sending them pays an extra fee to cover the cost—which isn’t common.3 This category can include: 

How Long Does Mail Forwarding Last? 

Eventually, even seasonal cards with the latest holiday postage stamp will be returned to the sender if they keep arriving at your old address. Be aware of these mail forwarding limits:1 

How Much Does It Cost to Forward Your Mail? 

When you’re learning how to forward mail to new addresses, you’ll want to understand up front how much forwarding may cost for your specific needs.

You don’t need to budget much for basic mail forwarding functions, but a premium mail forwarding service may be available at a higher cost. Examine the range of costs below:

What If You Move Multiple Times? 

If you keep your same name on the forwarding request forms to the USPS, your mail will follow you as many times as you move during the relevant time limits.

For example, a travel nurse from Minnesota could take a two-month job in Los Angeles, then spend six months in Orlando, three months in Chicago, and then move back to a different apartment in their home state. 

Mail sent to the old Minnesota address will skip along the same cross-country route and then end up back in Minnesota at the new address—so long as a USPS mail forwarding form was completed for each separate move. 

Who Should Be Notified Directly of Your Change of Address? 

Ideally, you’ll want to use mail forwarding as a safety net to cover anyone you forget to notify directly. In the long run, you’ll want to provide your updated forward mailing address to any people or businesses sending you mail before your mail forwarding expires.

Notify these contacts and services directly by changing your mailing address via an online account or customer service contact:

You may also want to provide a forwarding address as part of service cancellation for: 

Finally, as an additional safety net, be sure to exchange your updated contact information with: 

Be Cautious of Mail Forwarding Scams

If you’re entering any personal information about your address change on a website that doesn’t include USPS.com, think twice. There are many third-party websites set up to offer mail forwarding services that charge you up to $100 or more in fees.

To be on the safe side, only submit your change of address in person at your local post office or online on the Official USPS Change of Address website.

Find Your New Address with Common

When it’s time to make a move, forwarding your mail may ultimately be one of the simpler tasks you can check off your list. But having the right home to move to can make your move even easier. 

Common is all about simplifying and improving your switch to a new home. Our coliving homes are ideal for professionals who want the ease of a furnished space, shared amenities, and a built-in community. 

Plus, we offer a range of options for renters looking for private studios and apartments that allow for just the right mix of privacy and connection.

If you’re looking for a convenient, attainable home that’s a bridge to a friendly community of peers, activities, and amenities, take a tour of our spaces today.

Sources: 

  1. United States Postal Service. Standard Forward Mail & Change of Address. https://www.usps.com/manage/forward.htm 
  2. United States Postal Service. Official USPS® Change-of-Address. https://moversguide.usps.com
  3. United States Postal Service. What is USPS Marketing Mail®? https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-is-USPS-Marketing-Mail
  4. United States Postal Service. Find USPS Locations. https://tools.usps.com/find-location.htm
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