How to forward your mail before you move (and why doing it early is essential)

With everything involved in moving, it can be easy to forget about forwarding your mail. Thankfully, USPS makes it easy to send your mail to your new home well before you get there. However, a couple of snags exist that you should be aware of in some situations. 

Here's how to set up mail forwarding before your move.

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Set up mail forwarding online

The most convenient option for starting mail forwarding is to use USPS's official change of address form online. Note that USPS uses the terms "change of address" and "forwarding" interchangeably; they are the same thing. The process is straightforward, but there are a few things you'll need to have on hand to complete it, including:

• Your old address and zip code

• Your new address and zip code

• Mail forwarding start date

• An email address and a valid phone number

• A credit or debit card with the same billing address as your new or old address

At the start of the application, you must choose whether your change of address request is permanent or temporary. A permanent change is for a new address where you plan to live for more than 12 months. A temporary change is when you'll live at the new address between 15 days and a year.

You must also indicate if your request is for an individual, family or business. For family requests, everyone must share the same last name and move to the same address. If some people in your home have different last names, each person must file an individual change of address.

From there, fill in the information as requested. You're required to verify your identity with a $1.25 fee, and, again, you must use a card that shares its billing address with your new or old address to verify your identity. You must pay this fee for both permanent and temporary address changes.

Set up mail forwarding in person

You can also submit a change of address request in person at your local USPS office. Staff at the office will give you a Mover's Guide packet that contains PS Form 3575. Simply complete this form and return it to the Post Office staff to submit your request.

For identity verification in person, you must show Post Office staff an unexpired photo ID. This can be your driver's license or state ID card, a Uniformed Services Identification card or a U.S. passport. The address on your driver's license or state ID card must match your old or new address.

If you use a Uniformed Services Identification Card or a passport, you must also supply a second form of identification. This can be one of the following:

• Lease, mortgage or deed of trust

• Voter or vehicle registration card

• Home or vehicle insurance policy or card

Alternatively, you can use two secondary forms of identification to verify your identity. Any addresses listed on the secondary forms of identification must match either your old or new address.

What if you can't verify your identity?

If verification fails online, you'll receive an email with a barcode you can take to your local Post Office. From there, staff will verify your identity with one of the physical forms of identification listed above.

If you don't have the proper forms of identification to verify in person, USPS won't be able to set up mail forwarding. Instead, USPS recommends individually notifying every service you communicate with through mail of your new address. This can be time-consuming, but it's the only way to ensure your mail goes to your new address if you can't verify your identity with USPS.

How long is mail forwarded and can you extend it?

By default, mail forwarding lasts 12 months for most mail and takes effect within seven to 10 days of your specific start date. This should give you enough time to contact everyone you need to change your address.

Mail forwarding can be extended for up to 18 months for a fee . Here's how much each cost for the available duration:

• Six more months: $24.50

• 12 more months: $36.50

• 18 more months: $48.50

Note that the maximum you're allowed to extend forwarding is 18 months, and you're only allowed to purchase in increments of six months after the initial six- or 12-month purchase. If your forwarding has already expired, you cannot buy an extension. So, any mail sent to your previous address could be lost after a maximum of two and a half years of forwarding. This shouldn't be an issue for most people, but it's worth keeping in mind.

That's all there is to it (but watch out for scams)

Moving scams are everywhere , and that includes scammers pretending to be the USPS. It's not uncommon for scammers to take advantage of people online who are unaware of the proper process for changing their address with the USPS. You should never have to pay anything beyond the $1.25 ID verification fee to change your address with USPS online, and it's free if you do it in person. Watch out for scam search results, and if you see an ad or are solicited by someone offering address change services for more (often upwards of $40 or more), run away.

Now that you have mail forwarding set up, it's a great time to make sure you aren't missing anything you may need on the big day. Read our guide to essential items people often forget to buy before moving day for more.

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