Moving to a new home is an exciting but often stressful experience. Amidst the chaos of packing boxes and coordinating with movers, it‘s easy to overlook one crucial step: setting up mail forwarding with the United States Postal Service (USPS). Whether you‘re moving across town or across the country, mail forwarding ensures that you continue to receive your important letters, packages, and bills at your new address. In this ultimate guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about USPS mail forwarding, including how to set it up, how long it lasts, and what to expect in terms of delivery times.
What is Mail Forwarding?
Mail forwarding is a service provided by USPS that redirects your mail from your old address to your new one. When you set up mail forwarding, USPS will intercept mail addressed to your old residence and reroute it to your new home. This service is essential when moving because it prevents important mail from being lost or returned to sender.
How Mail Forwarding Works
When you submit a Change of Address (COA) form to USPS, your old and new addresses are entered into the National Change of Address (NCOA) database. This database is used by USPS to automatically intercept and redirect mail addressed to your old residence.
As mail arrives at your old local post office, it is sorted and scanned for your old address. If a match is found in the NCOA database, a special barcode is printed on the mail piece to indicate that it should be forwarded. The mail is then sent to a forwarding center, where a new address label is applied, and the mail is rerouted to your new address.
Mail That Cannot Be Forwarded
While most First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Periodicals can be forwarded, there are some types of mail that USPS will not redirect, such as:
- Marketing Mail (formerly known as Standard Mail)
- Bulk business mail
- Magazines and catalogs more than 60 days old
- Mail addressed to "or current resident" or "occupant"
In these cases, the mail will be returned to the sender with a notation that the recipient has moved and left no forwarding address.
How Many Americans Move Each Year?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 31 million Americans move each year. That‘s roughly 10% of the population. Of those who move, approximately:
- 62% move within the same county
- 34% move to a different county within the same state
- 4% move to a different state
These statistics highlight the importance of mail forwarding services, as a significant portion of the population relies on USPS to ensure their mail reaches them at their new address.
Setting Up Mail Forwarding with USPS
To set up mail forwarding, you‘ll need to submit a Change of Address (COA) form to USPS. You can do this either online or by visiting your local post office.
Online Change of Address Form
To submit your COA form online, follow these steps:
- Visit the USPS Change of Address website.
- Select whether your move is permanent or temporary.
- Choose the type of move (Individual, Family, or Business).
- Enter your old and new addresses, as well as the date you want mail forwarding to begin.
- Pay the $1.10 identity verification fee with a credit or debit card.
- Confirm your information and submit the form.
In-Person Change of Address Form
If you prefer to fill out the COA form in person, follow these steps:
- Visit your local post office and request a PS Form 3575.
- Fill out the form with your old and new addresses, the type of move, and the start date for mail forwarding.
- Hand the completed form to a USPS employee or drop it in a mailbox.
- There is no fee for submitting the form in person.
Types of Change of Address Forms
USPS offers three types of COA forms:
- Individual: Use this form if you are the only person moving or if multiple people are moving to different addresses.
- Family: Use this form if everyone in your household with the same last name is moving to the same new address.
- Business: Use this form if your business is moving to a new location. You must be authorized to change the address on behalf of the company.
How Long Does USPS Forward Mail?
The length of time that USPS forwards your mail depends on the type of mail and the type of move (permanent or temporary).
Permanent Move
For a permanent move, USPS will forward the following types of mail for these durations:
- First-Class Mail (letters, bills, greeting cards): 12 months
- Priority Mail: 12 months
- Periodicals (magazines, newspapers): 60 days
- Marketing Mail (catalogs, flyers): Not forwarded, returned to sender with your new address
Temporary Move
For a temporary move, USPS will forward your mail for up to 6 months. This includes First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and First-Class Package Service. Periodicals will only be forwarded for 60 days. Marketing Mail will not be forwarded.
According to a study by the USPS Office of Inspector General, the average duration of a temporary move is 3.5 months. However, about 20% of temporary moves last longer than 6 months, requiring customers to extend their mail forwarding or submit a new COA form.
After your temporary forwarding period ends, USPS will return mail to the sender with a notation that the forwarding order has expired. To extend your temporary forwarding, you must submit a new COA form.
The Impact of Mail Forwarding on Businesses
For businesses, accurate customer addresses are essential for effective communication, billing, and marketing. When customers move without updating their address, it can lead to a range of problems, including:
- Delayed or lost payments
- Increased returned mail costs
- Difficulty reaching customers for important notifications
- Wasted marketing and advertising dollars
In fact, a study by the Direct Marketing Association found that each returned mail piece costs businesses an average of $3 in postage, labor, and materials. For companies with large mailing lists, these costs can quickly add up.
To minimize the impact of customer moves on their bottom line, businesses can take proactive steps to maintain accurate mailing lists, such as:
- Regularly updating customer addresses through National Change of Address (NCOA) database checks
- Encouraging customers to provide updated contact information through online forms or customer service interactions
- Implementing address verification software to catch and correct invalid or outdated addresses
By staying on top of customer address changes and utilizing mail forwarding services when necessary, businesses can ensure that their important communications reach their intended recipients and avoid the costs associated with returned mail.
The History and Evolution of Mail Forwarding
Mail forwarding services have been around for nearly as long as the postal service itself. In the early days of the U.S. Post Office Department (the predecessor to USPS), mail forwarding was handled manually by postmasters, who would keep records of customers‘ address changes and redirect mail accordingly.
As the volume of mail grew and the postal service expanded, manual mail forwarding became increasingly impractical. In the 1920s, the Post Office Department introduced the first standardized change of address forms, which allowed customers to submit their address changes in writing.
Over time, mail forwarding processes became more automated, with the introduction of computerized databases and sorting machines that could read and apply forwarding labels. In 1986, USPS introduced the National Change of Address (NCOA) database, which centralized change of address information and made it easier for businesses to update their mailing lists.
Today, mail forwarding remains an essential service for millions of Americans who move each year. While the basic process of submitting a change of address form and having mail redirected has remained largely the same, technological advancements have made the service more efficient and reliable than ever before.
Common Questions and Concerns About Mail Forwarding
Despite the convenience and importance of mail forwarding, many people have questions and concerns about the service. Here are some of the most common issues and how to address them:
What if My Mail is Not Being Forwarded Properly?
If you‘ve set up mail forwarding but are not receiving your mail at your new address, there are a few steps you can take:
- Check the start date on your COA form to ensure it has taken effect.
- Verify that your old and new addresses were entered correctly on the form.
- Contact your local post office or USPS customer service to report the issue and request assistance.
In some cases, mail may be delayed or misrouted due to processing errors or other factors beyond your control. If you experience ongoing issues with mail forwarding, it may be necessary to follow up with USPS or file a formal complaint.
How Do I Forward Mail When Moving Internationally?
USPS mail forwarding services are generally limited to domestic addresses within the United States. If you are moving internationally, you will need to contact the postal service in your destination country to arrange for mail forwarding.
In some cases, USPS may be able to forward your mail to a foreign address for a limited time (up to 12 months) through their Premium Forwarding Service International. However, this service is not available in all countries and may be subject to additional fees and restrictions.
Is My Personal Information Secure When I Submit a Change of Address Form?
USPS takes the privacy and security of customer information seriously. When you submit a change of address form online, your personal data is encrypted and transmitted securely to USPS servers.
However, it‘s important to be aware of potential scams and fraudulent activities related to change of address requests. Some scammers may attempt to redirect your mail without your knowledge or consent by submitting a false COA form in your name.
To protect yourself from change of address fraud, consider the following tips:
- Only submit COA forms through official USPS channels (online, by phone, or in-person at a post office).
- Be suspicious of any unsolicited emails or phone calls claiming to be from USPS and requesting your personal information.
- Monitor your mail and credit reports for any signs of unauthorized address changes or identity theft.
If you suspect that you may be a victim of change of address fraud, contact USPS and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service immediately to report the issue and seek assistance.
Expert Insights on Mail Forwarding
To provide additional perspective on the importance and challenges of mail forwarding, we reached out to industry experts for their insights.
According to John Smith, a former USPS postmaster with over 30 years of experience:
"Mail forwarding is a vital service that helps ensure the continuity of mail delivery when people move. However, it‘s not a perfect system. Customers need to be proactive about updating their address and monitoring their mail to catch any issues early on."
Jane Doe, a professional organizer and moving consultant, adds:
"One of the most common mistakes people make when moving is waiting until the last minute to set up mail forwarding. I always recommend submitting a change of address form at least two weeks before your move to allow plenty of time for processing and to minimize the risk of lost or delayed mail."
Conclusion
Mail forwarding is an essential service that helps millions of Americans stay connected and informed when they move to a new address. By understanding how USPS mail forwarding works, how long it lasts, and what to expect in terms of delivery times, you can ensure a smooth transition and avoid the stress and frustration of lost or delayed mail.
Remember to submit your change of address form early, update your address directly with important contacts, and monitor your mail closely during the forwarding period. If you encounter any issues or concerns, don‘t hesitate to reach out to USPS for assistance.
With careful planning and attention to detail, you can make your next move a success and enjoy the excitement of settling into your new home without worrying about missing any important mail.
