Moving to a new home or location can be an exciting time, but it can also come with a lot of logistics and planning, including ensuring that you receive your mail at your new address. Fortunately, the United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a Mail Forwarding service to make receiving your mail at your new address as seamless as possible.
USPS Mail Forwarding Works
USPS Mail Forwarding works by redirecting your mail from your old address to your new address. You can request mail forwarding online by visiting your local post office or filling out a paper form. Once your request is processed, USPS will forward your mail to your new address. USPS will forward all first-class mail, including letters, bills, and other important documents, to your new address for a specified period.
However, USPS does not forward some types of mail, such as magazines or newspapers, for more than 60 days. Instead, these items will be returned to the sender with a note stating the new address. If the sender doesn’t have a valid address to forward their mail to, they will return it. Your mail can be forwarded to your updated address by USPS Mail Forwarding without you having to change your address with each individual sender.
Duration
The duration of USPS Mail Forwarding varies depending on the type of mail and the forwarding address. By default, USPS Mail Forwarding lasts for 12 months for individual requests and 18 months for requests made by family members. After this period, USPS will stop forwarding your mail to your new address.
However, USPS also offers options to extend the duration of mail forwarding. If you need more time, you can extend USPS Mail Forwarding for an additional six months, for 18 months for individual requests or 24 months for requests made by family members.
It’s important to note that if you need to extend mail forwarding beyond the maximum allowed period, you will need to re-submit a new request. Additionally, if you have multiple moves during the same period, you must submit a new request for each address change.
Make Extension in USPS Mail
Suppose you need to extend USPS Mail Forwarding beyond the initial forwarding period of 12 months (for individual requests) or 18 months (for requests made by family members). In that case, you can request an extension for an additional six months. Here’s how to request an extension:
- Visit the USPS website or your local post office and ask for a PS Form 3575.
- You will need to fill out the form with your personal information, including your forwarding address, your old address, and the date you requested mail forwarding.
- Indicate on the form that you want to extend your mail forwarding for six months.
- Submit the completed form online or in person at your local post office.
If you have multiple moves during the same period, you must submit a new request for each address change. Additionally, if you need to extend mail forwarding beyond the maximum allowed period, you will need to re-submit a new request. Finally, keep in mind that additional fees may be associated with extending mail forwarding.
USPS Mail Forwarding Forms
Depending on your specific situation, you can use several forms for USPS Mail Forwarding. Here are some of the most common forms:
- PS Form 3575: This is the standard form for individual mail forwarding requests. You can submit this form online, in person at a post office, or by mail.
- PS Form 3576: This form is used for business mail forwarding requests. It can also be submitted online, in person, or by mail.
- PS Form 3579: This form is used to notify the post office that a person is no longer residing at a particular address.
- PS Form 6805: This form is used for temporary mail forwarding requests for military personnel. It can be submitted online, in person, or by mail.
- PS Form 8076: This form is used to forward mail to the deceased. It must be submitted by mail and requires proof of death.
You can also change your address online through the USPS website without filling out a paper form. Check the USPS website for current pricing information on some of these forms.
Change of Address Form
You can obtain a Change of Address form, also known as PS Form 3575, in several ways:
- Online: The fastest and easiest way to get a Change of Address form is to visit the USPS website and complete the online form. The online form requires a $1.05 identity verification fee, which helps prevent a fraudulent change of address requests.
- In Person: You can also pick up a Change of Address form at your local post office. Ask the postal clerk for a PS Form 3575, fill it out and return it to the clerk.
- By Mail: You can request that the USPS mail a Change of Address form to your current address by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) and following the prompts. You will receive the form within five business days at your current address.
- From a Mover: Some moving companies provide a Change of Address form as part of their moving services.
Regardless of how you obtain the form, be sure to fill it out completely and accurately to ensure that your mail is forwarded to the correct address.
Mail Forwarding Costs by USPS
The cost of USPS Mail Forwarding service depends on how you submit your request. Here are the current fees as of 2023:
- Online: If you submit your change of address request online through the USPS website, there is a $1.05 verification fee to ensure the request is legitimate.
- In-person: If you submit your change of address request in person at a post office, there is no fee.
- By mail: If you submit your change of address request, you must print and fill out the PS Form 3575 and mail it to the address listed. There is no fee to submit the form by mail.
Note: You may incur additional fees if you need to extend mail forwarding beyond the initial forwarding period. Additionally, if you request mail forwarding for multiple people or businesses, there may also be additional fees. Be sure to check the USPS website for current pricing information.
Processing Time for USPS Mail Forwarding Requests
Requests for USPS Mail Forwarding can take a while to process depending on how you submit your request and the volume of requests. Here’s what you can generally expect for processing times:
- Online: If you submit your change of address request online through the USPS website, you will receive a confirmation email immediately after submitting your request. Your mail forwarding will begin within 7-10 business days of your request being processed.
- In-person: If you submit your change of address request in person at a post office, the clerk will process your request immediately, and your mail forwarding will begin within 7-10 business days.
- By mail: If you submit your change of address request, it may take up to 2 weeks for the form to be processed and for your mail forwarding to begin. Once your mail forwarding has been processed, you will receive a confirmation letter at your new address.
Note: Mail forwarding may take longer for international forwarding requests and for rural or remote areas. If you have not received confirmation that your mail forwarding has been processed after the expected timeframe. Follow up with your local post office to ensure that your request was received and processed.
Why to Request USPS Mail Forwarding?
If you don’t request USPS Mail Forwarding when you move, your mail will continue to be delivered to your old address. It can result in a variety of problems, including:
- Missed bills and important notices: If you have bills or other important notices delivered to your old address, you may not receive them promptly, which can lead to missed payments or other problems.
- Identity theft: If your personal information is included in your mail and is not forwarded, it may be at risk of falling into the wrong hands, which can lead to identity theft.
- Inconvenience: If you don’t have your mail forwarded, you will need to contact each sender individually to update your address, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient.
To avoid these problems, requesting USPS Mail Forwarding as soon as possible after you move is important. You won’t miss any important bills or notices with your mail forwarded to your new address.
FAQ’s
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about USPS Mail Forwarding:
How long will my mail be forwarded?
USPS Mail Forwarding lasts for a minimum of 15 days and a maximum of 12 months. You can extend the service for up to 12 additional months if needed.
What if I only want some of my mail forwarded?
USPS Mail Forwarding will forward all of your mail unless you request otherwise. You can have only certain types of mail forwarded, such as first-class mail or packages, by filling out the PS Form 3575 at your local post office.
What if I move frequently or temporarily?
USPS Mail Forwarding is available for temporary moves as well. If you temporarily relocate, you can forward your mail for a shorter period, such as six months. If you move frequently, you must submit a new Change of Address form each time you move.
Can I cancel or modify my mail forwarding request?
Yes, you can cancel or modify your mail forwarding request anytime. You can do this by visiting the USPS website, calling 1-800-ASK-USPS, or visiting your local post office.
Will my mail forwarding automatically end after the specified period?
Yes, USPS Mail Forwarding will automatically end after the specified period. You must submit an extension request if you need to continue forwarding your mail.
Conclusion
When you move, you can use USPS Mail Forwarding to redirect your mail to your new address. Requesting this service as soon as possible is essential to avoid missing important mail and bills. The processing time for mail forwarding requests can vary but generally takes 7-10 business days to begin.
It is easy to extend or modify your mail forwarding request online or at the post office. USPS Mail Forwarding can help make your move smoother and less stressful.
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