There are many tasks to complete before moving, right? You must choose which possessions to discard, pack the remainder, work with a moving company, and take care of the numerous details involved in changing your address.
Changing your address is one task you shouldn’t overlook. Here is everything you need to know about how to change your mailing address so that you won’t miss any vital notifications after your move.
What do You Need to Change Your Mailing Address?
Prepare the following details before updating your mailing address.
1. New and Old Addresses
You must include both your old and new addresses if you choose to update your address online or on paper.
2. A Functioning Credit or Debit Card
You will require a working credit or debit card to make payments for the identity verification charge if you choose to submit your change of address (COA) online. Don’t worry; at $1.10, it will be among your most affordable moving expenses.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) accepts Mastercard, Visa, Discover, debit cards, and American Express credit. Prepaid or gift cards are not accepted, though.
3. Start Date for Mail Forwarding
Additionally, you’ll need to know when you want your mail to start going to your new address. Remember that it usually takes seven to ten business days following the start date for mail to start arriving. The USPS advises that you submit your request two weeks before the date you plan to move in because of this.
4. A Valid Email Address
If you submit the COA request online, the USPS will need your valid email address so they can send you an email with a confirmation.
Step-by-Step Guide to an Official USPS Change of Address
You can alter your address for mailing with the USPS online or in person if you have the necessary documentation, which is what you will need to do.
1. File the change online with the USPS
The change-of-address page on USPS.com allows you to submit your request there, which is frequently the quickest option to do so. It functions as follows.
2. Declare that you are in a position to make the modification
You must verify that you have the right to submit the request when you land on the change of address page. To seek a change of address, you must either be changing your own address or have permission to do so on someone else’s behalf.
3. Provide information on a change of address
You must next submit the necessary data so that the change of address may be processed, which includes:
- A person, a family, or a business is relocating.
- Name, email, phone, and phone type are the details you can use to contact us.
- Either a temporary move (you intend to return to your previous residence within six months) or a long-term relocation
- The date that your mail will begin to be forwarded to the new address is known as the “mail forwarding date.”
- The street address you are leaving behind is your old address.
- Your new address is your new home’s street address.
Once all the information has been entered, you must verify that it is accurate before clicking “Next.”
4. Choose whether or not you want continued mail forwarding
When you submit a change of address, your mail is temporarily forwarded to your new address. The majority of mail classes are forwarded for a year when an address is permanently changed. Magazines and other periodicals, however, can only be forwarded for 60 days.
5. For an additional cost, you can extend the forwarding service to all types of mail
The following are the USPS mail forwarding fees:
- Six months: $19.95
- 12 months: $29.95
- 18 months: $39.95
6. Make the identity verification payment
Give your billing address next, then use a legitimate credit or debit card to prove your identity. There will be a $1.10 identity verification fee applied to the card you provide.
7. Verify your address change application
Following the submission of your change request, you will get a physical letter with a 9-digit alphanumeric code along with a confirmation email. To verify the modification, you must adhere to the directives in the letter.
On a Wrap
Two weeks prior to your move-in date, submit a change of address form to the USPS to guarantee that the move goes smoothly. Contacting the DMV, IRS, your credit card firms, and your health insurance provider are additional organisations that you should contact as they send you vital notices.
While the USPS can help ensure you receive your mail by using mail forwarding, you should immediately update all of your accounts and contacts.
Also read: How To Address Envelope Properly
