Use the official USPS Change of Address service for most moves. It is the standard request that tells USPS to forward mail from your old address to your new one. The online request costs $1.10 for identity verification, while submitting the form at a Post Office is free [source: USPS]. If you only need mail sent somewhere else for a short trip, seasonal stay, or temporary job, use a temporary forwarding option instead.
TLDR: For a normal move, choose USPS Change of Address, not a third-party “mail forwarding” site. For example, if a family moves from Ohio to Arizona on June 1, one online Change of Address can forward most First-Class Mail to the new home for up to 12 months. If you will be away for 8 weeks, a temporary request or Premium Forwarding may fit better. Be careful: unofficial sites may charge $30 to $80 for a form USPS processes for $1.10 online.
What USPS Change of Address Actually Does
A USPS Change of Address, often called a COA, is the formal request to redirect mail from an old address to a new one. You can file it online through USPS or in person at a Post Office.
For most people, this is the correct service when:
- You are moving to a new home or apartment.
- Your business is moving to a new office.
- You want USPS to reroute eligible mail from the old address.
- You need banks, insurers, and senders to start seeing your new address.
The process is simple, but it is not magic. USPS forwarding buys you time. It does not update every company in your life. You still need to change your address directly with your bank, employer, IRS, DMV, voter registration office, insurance provider, subscriptions, and medical providers.
Honestly, it feels like the one part people underestimate most. The USPS request may take only a few minutes. Updating the accounts that matter can take an evening.
What People Mean by “USPS Mail Forwarding”
USPS Mail Forwarding can mean several things. That is where confusion starts.
In everyday language, mail forwarding means USPS sends mail from one address to another. But USPS has different forwarding options depending on why you need the service:
- Permanent Change of Address: Best for a full move.
- Temporary Change of Address: Best when you plan to return to the old address.
- Premium Forwarding Service Residential: A paid service that reships mail weekly to a temporary address.
- Hold Mail: Best when you want USPS to keep mail at the Post Office while you are away.
So the question is not really “mail forwarding vs change of address.” A Change of Address is often the request that starts regular forwarding. The better question is: which forwarding type matches your situation?
Which Online Service Should You Use?
Use USPS Change of Address online if you are moving. This covers both permanent moves and many temporary moves. You choose the start date, enter the old and new addresses, verify your identity, and submit the request.
Pick permanent if:
- You sold your home or ended a lease.
- You do not plan to return to the old address.
- You want mailers to start using your new address.
- You are moving your household or business for good.
Pick temporary if:
- You are away for a season.
- You have a short-term work assignment.
- You are staying with family after surgery or during renovation.
- You expect to return to the original address.
Use Premium Forwarding Service Residential if you want USPS to package and send mail weekly to your temporary location for a fee. This may suit snowbirds, long vacation stays, or remote workers on extended trips. USPS describes it as a paid residential option for forwarding mail on a weekly basis [source: USPS].
Change of Address vs Mail Forwarding: Key Differences
| Feature | USPS Change of Address | USPS Mail Forwarding Options |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Moving or temporary relocation | Short stays, paid weekly forwarding, or mail holds |
| Cost | $1.10 online identity fee, free in person | Varies by service |
| Duration | Depends on mail type and request type | Depends on selected forwarding product |
| Main risk | Using a fake or overpriced site | Selecting the wrong forwarding type |
The catch is that search results can make this harder than it should be. Some private sites look official. They may file a USPS form for you, then charge a high “processing” fee. That does not mean they are illegal in every case, but it can be a bad deal.
When Regular Change of Address Is Enough
A standard USPS Change of Address is enough for most households. If you move from Apartment 3B to a house across town, use it. If you move across the country, use it. If your small business changes suites in the same building, use it.
It works best when your goal is simple: keep mail flowing while people and companies learn your new address.
Regular forwarding usually covers eligible mail such as First-Class Mail and many USPS packages. Marketing mail is often not forwarded. Some items may be returned to sender. Some senders also put restrictions on forwarding. That is why you should not rely on forwarding for tax notices, legal documents, medications, or checks longer than necessary.
When You Should Not Use Change of Address
Do not file a Change of Address just because you are taking a one-week vacation. Use USPS Hold Mail instead. It lets USPS hold mail for a short period, then deliver it when you return or make it available for pickup.
Do not file a permanent COA if you are a college student going home for summer and returning to campus. A temporary request may make more sense.
Do not file online through a site that hides fees until the payment screen. Expect to waste time on fine print if the site is not USPS. The Federal Trade Commission has warned consumers about address change sites that charge extra or mislead users [source: FTC].
How to Choose in 60 Seconds
- Moving permanently? Use USPS Change of Address.
- Moving temporarily for more than a short trip? Use temporary Change of Address.
- Traveling for a few days or weeks? Use Hold Mail.
- Staying elsewhere and want weekly bundled mail? Review Premium Forwarding Service Residential.
- Seeing a $39.95 “USPS forwarding” fee? Stop and check the official USPS site.
Security and Identity Checks
USPS uses identity verification for online Change of Address requests. That small card charge helps confirm the person filing the request is connected to the payment method and address. It is also one reason you should use the official USPS site.
If you file in person, bring acceptable identification. This may take longer, but it avoids the online verification charge. For people who have trouble with online forms, in-person filing can be the cleaner option.
Final Recommendation
For a real move, use USPS Change of Address online through the official USPS website. It is low cost, direct, and built for the job. Use temporary forwarding or Premium Forwarding only when your stay away from home has an end date. Use Hold Mail for short absences.
The safest rule is simple: start with USPS, not an ad. Then update your key accounts yourself. Forwarding is a bridge, not a permanent address management system.