The USPS offers a temporary change of address service for customers who will be away from their regular address for a certain period of time. This service is called “Temporary Forwarding of Mail” and it allows you to receive your mail at a different address for up to 6 months, with the option to extend for an additional 6 months.
You can request a temporary change of address through the USPS website, in person at a Post Office, or by completing and submitting Form 3575, the official Change of Address form. Here are the steps to request a temporary change of address online:
- Go to the USPS website: https://www.usps.com/manage/forward.htm
- Click on “Get Started” under “Temporary Change of Address.”
- Fill out the required information, including your old address, new temporary address, and the dates you want the temporary forwarding to start and end.
- Choose how you want to receive your mail during the temporary forwarding period: at your temporary address, held at the Post Office for pickup, or returned to the sender.
- Review the information you entered and make any necessary corrections.
- Pay the $1.05 identity verification fee using a credit or debit card. This fee is required to verify your identity and prevent fraud.
- Submit your temporary change of address request.
Note: If you submit your request online, you will receive a confirmation number by email or by mail. Be sure to keep this number for your records in case you need to make changes to your request or cancel it.
Temporary mail forwarding
Temporary mail forwarding, also known as Temporary Forwarding of Mail, is a service provided by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that allows you to receive your mail at a different address for a specified period of time. This service is particularly useful if you are going to be away from your regular address for an extended period of time, such as for a vacation or temporary relocation.
To request temporary mail forwarding, you can either fill out Form 3575, the official Change of Address form, or request it online through the USPS website. Here are the steps to request temporary mail forwarding online:
- Go to the USPS website: https://www.usps.com/manage/forward.htm
- Click on “Get Started” under “Temporary Change of Address.”
- Fill out the required information, including your old address, new temporary address, and the dates you want the temporary forwarding to start and end.
- Choose how you want to receive your mail during the temporary forwarding period: at your temporary address, held at the Post Office for pickup, or returned to the sender.
- Review the information you entered and make any necessary corrections.
- Pay the $1.05 identity verification fee using a credit or debit card. This fee is required to verify your identity and prevent fraud.
- Submit your temporary mail forwarding request.
Note that you can request temporary mail forwarding for up to 6 months, with the option to extend it for an additional 6 months. You can cancel or make changes to your temporary forwarding request at any time, either online or by visiting your local Post Office.
Free change of address
While the United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a Change of Address service, there is a fee associated with it. As of 2023, the fee for a standard Change of Address is $1.05. This fee is charged to help prevent fraudulent changes of address and ensure that your mail is forwarded to the correct address.
It’s important to note that there are websites that may offer “free” Change of Address services, but these are usually scams that charge hidden fees or sell your information to third-party marketers. To ensure that your Change of Address request is processed accurately and securely, it’s best to use the official USPS website or visit your local Post Office.
If you are experiencing financial hardship and cannot afford the Change of Address fee, you may be eligible for a waiver. You can request a waiver by visiting your local Post Office and completing a hardship form. The USPS will review your request and determine if you qualify for a waiver of the Change of Address fee.
