Choose the USPS service that matches how long you will be away: use a permanent Change of Address after a permanent move, a temporary Change of Address for a temporary stay, Hold Mail for a trip of up to 30 days, or Premium Forwarding Service to have residential mail bundled and sent weekly. File a Change of Address early, and check mail-class eligibility before relying on forwarding for an important item.
Choose the right USPS service
| Your situation | USPS service | How it works | Main constraint |
|---|---|---|---|
| You have moved permanently | Permanent Change of Address (COA) | Eligible mail is forwarded piece by piece to your new address. | Eligibility and forwarding duration vary by mail class. USPS mail-forwarding options. |
| You are staying somewhere else temporarily | Temporary Change of Address | Eligible mail pieces are forwarded to the temporary address for the dates you specify. | The initial request can cover 15 to 185 days; a second filing can extend it, subject to a total limit of 364 days. USPS Change of Address FAQ and Domestic Mail Manual, section 507. |
| You are away for a short trip and want delivery paused | Hold Mail | USPS holds delivery at your address; you can arrange to collect held mail or have it delivered when you return. | USPS’s 2025 Postal Customer Guide describes holds of up to 30 days. USPS Postal Customer Guide (2025). |
| You want residential mail sent to a temporary address in a weekly bundle | Premium Forwarding Service Residential | USPS sends a weekly shipment by Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express for a fee. | It is a paid service; check current fees and enrollment terms. USPS Premium Forwarding Services. |
The key distinction is whether delivery is paused, individual eligible pieces are redirected, or mail is bundled into weekly shipments. The services are not interchangeable, so match the dates and delivery method to your absence.
How to file a Change of Address
- Choose permanent or temporary. A permanent COA is for a lasting relocation. Choose temporary COA when you have a temporary destination and know the forwarding start and end dates. Review USPS’s Change of Address guidance if you are unsure which request fits.
- Submit online or in person. Use the USPS Standard Forward Mail & Change of Address page to start online, or obtain PS Form 3575 at a Post Office and submit it there. USPS says PS Form 3575 can no longer be printed from a home computer; see its PS Form 3575 information.
- Complete identity verification. USPS requires identity verification for online COA requests; its guidance describes a $1.25 online verification fee. If USPS cannot authenticate the request, it may require additional online or in-person proofing. Check the current instructions on the USPS forwarding page.
- Make sure the request is authorized and accurate. Submit the COA for the person, family, or business moving. If you file for someone else, or the last name on your photo ID differs from the name on the request, USPS may require supporting documentation. USPS explains these requirements here.
- Allow time for forwarding to begin. USPS says forwarding may start within three business days, but recommends allowing up to two weeks. Submit the request ahead of the move or travel date when possible. USPS forwarding guidance.
Temporary forwarding has a time limit
USPS allows an initial temporary forwarding period of 15 to 185 days. You can file a second request to extend it, but the overall temporary forwarding period cannot exceed 12 months, or 364 days. The extension is not automatic: follow the filing instructions in the Domestic Mail Manual, section 507, and the USPS Change of Address FAQ.
If you will be away longer than 30 days but for less than a year, temporary COA may fit better than Hold Mail. For a shorter absence when you want mail to remain at your home address, Hold Mail is the pause-in-delivery option.
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Know which mail USPS will forward
A COA does not redirect every item in the same way. USPS generally forwards First-Class Mail and Periodicals, and lists Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage as forwarded at no charge. Media Mail is forwarded with postage or shipping charges due, while USPS Marketing Mail is not forwarded. Rules can depend on the class and service used, so check the USPS mail-forwarding options for an important letter or package before assuming it will follow you.
Even eligible mail may have different forwarding durations depending on its class. If a delivery is critical, ask the sender what mail class or service they used and verify that it is covered by your COA.
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Special cases and practical follow-up
Moving outside the United States
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. Start with the USPS Standard Forward Mail & Change of Address page for current instructions.
Changing the address with organizations
A USPS COA changes your mailing address with the Post Office; it does not update your address with banks, government agencies, employers, subscription providers, or other senders. Notify those organizations separately. USPS describes the scope of its forwarding service.
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USPS Extended Mail Forwarding is an optional paid extension for a permanent domestic COA. Its current FAQ lists $26 for six months, $39 for 12 months, and $52 for 18 months. These are the listed fees, not a guarantee that prices will remain unchanged; confirm the amount and terms on the USPS Extended Mail Forwarding page before enrolling.
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