When you submit a USPS address change request, mail will be set up to automatically forward mail from your old address to your new one, so you continue to receive any mail sent to an old address. This service can last anywhere from a few days to two and a half years, depending on the mail forwarding option you choose and whether or not you choose to extend the USPS mail forwarding service.
In this article, we answer the following questions and more:
What is USPS change of address?
What are the different types of email forwarding options?
How long does mail forwarding take?
Can you extend mail forwarding?
What are the other alternatives to USPS mail forwarding?
What is USPS change of address?
oUSPS Address Changeis a request you can submit when you or your business change addresses. This COA request will set up automatic mail forwarding so that mail can be redirected to your new address if it was sent to your old address. This is a useful service to use if you are receiving paper bills, notices, packages, etc. from senders who may not be aware of your new address. Some senders (eg banks, IRS, state departments, etc.) may also have a delay period to update your address.
More information on how email forwarding works and how to set up email forwarding can be found herehere.
What are the different types of email forwarding options?
When you submit a change of address request (also known as a COA request or US Mail forwarding request), there are four different email forwarding options you can select:
USPS Temporary Change of Address:
Atemporary change of address orderwill provide a "part by part" routing for all first class mail and periodicals (magazines, newspapers, etc.) you receive. This temporary address change is set for a specific time period that you can choose, so it's a common option for people who are traveling for an extended period of time or temporarily living in a new location.
Observation:USPS marketing mail or package services mail will generally not be forwarded with this option.
USPS Permanent Change of Address:
Similar to a temporary COA, apermanent change of address orderwill provide a "piece by piece" routing of all first class mail and periodicals (magazines, newspapers, etc.) you receive. The difference between a permanent COA and a temporary COA is that a permanent change of address order will inform the USPS that your mailing address on file must be changed entirely.
Because of this, First Class Mail will automatically forward for 12 months and magazines will automatically forward for 60 days. During this time period, you mustchange your addresswith all the services and providers that you or your company work with, since USPS will assume that your information has been updated during that time.
This Permanent Change of Address service is the obvious choice for anyone who has permanently changed their residential address or for any business that has permanently changed their business address.
Observation:USPS marketing mail or package services mail will generally not be forwarded with this option. Instead, your new address can be provided to commercial shippers if they request it via a mailing endorsement in a mailer.
USPS Residential Premium Forwarding Service (PFS-Residential):
setting up aPremium Residential Dispatch Servicewill provide single weekly shipments of all mail you receive at one address using a "piece by piece" forwarding. This email will be sent to the specified address via Priority Mail, and unlike a permanent and temporary COA, this premium forwarding service has a fee (more informationhere).
This PFS Residential Service is a great option for those who want to make sure they receive important mail on time.
USPS Commercial Premium Forwarding Service (PFS-Commercial):
Similar to a residential PFS, set up aPremium Commercial Dispatch Servicewill provide bundled mailings of all mail you receive at a previous business address via "piece by piece" forwarding. This mail will be sent to your new business address via Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express, and unlike a residential PFS, the delivery frequency of a business PFS can be customized for weekly or monthly mailings. Premium forwarding service for business use often has higher fees as well (learn morehere).
This service is great for any business that has changed its business address and doesn't want to lose any important business documents or notifications.
More information on how to ship a USPS mail forwarding service can be found here.
How long does USPS mail forward?
The length of your mail forwarding depends on whether you sent a temporary address change, permanent address change, or premium forwarding service residential or business premium forwarding service.
How long does a temporary address change last?
Mail forwarding for a temporary address change can last anywhere from 15 days to 6 months. However, because you can choose when the forwarding service will begin and end, mail forwarding for a temporary address change will last until the specified end date.
We recommend checking your address change confirmation email or yourCustomer Notification Letter (CNL)if you are not sure what that date might be.
How long does a permanent address change last?
Mail forwarding for a permanent change of address will last for 12 months (however,To use:magazines will only be forwarded for 60 days).
This means that the due date for your permanent address change request will be 12 months from the start date you specified. We recommend checking your address change confirmation email or yourCustomer Notification Letter (CNL)if you are not sure what that date might be.
How long does a Premium Residential Forwarding Service last?
Mail forwarding to a residential PFS can take anywhere from a minimum of 2 weeks to 12 months.
Because you can choose when this reshipping service begins and ends, the USPS will send a single weekly reshipment of your mail until the shipping due date. We recommend looking at yourOn-line account PFS-Residencialif you are not sure what that date might be, as the PFS residential mail forwarding end date can be managed online.
How long does a Premium Commercial Forwarding Service last?
Mail forwarding to a PFS salesperson can last for a minimum of 2 weeks and can be renewed to suit your business needs.
Because you can choose when this reshipping service begins and ends, the USPS will periodically send reshipments to your mail until your work order is maintained. We recommend looking at yourOnline account PFS-Commercialif you are not sure what that date might be, as your PFS-Commercial mail forwarding service can be managed online.
Can you extend mail forwarding?
Email forwarding can be extended in some scenarios.
One nice thing about setting up a US Post Office mail forwarding service is that they will usually notify you when your mail forwarding is about to expire by sending a physical postcard to your mailing address (or your new address). This postcard will also let you know if you have the option to extend, and while these extensions are usually paid for, they can be a useful service if you know your address hasn't been updated yet.
USPS Extended Mail Forwarding Information:
If you have requested a temporary COA, you will not be able to extend the address change mailing period. Instead, you can submit another temporary COA request or a permanent COA request if you want the mail forwarding time extended.
If you have requested a permanent COA, USPS will allow you to request an extension for a fee. This fee depends on how long you want your mail to be forwarded. The current rates as of January 2022 are as follows:
- 6 additional months are $19.95
- Additional 12 months are $29.95
- Additional 18 months are $39.95
Observation:If you only sign up for an additional 6 or 12, you can purchase another six-month increment for $19.95 each. It may not exceed an extension of 18 months in total.
More information on pricing, how to extend mail forwarding, or even how to cancel mail forwarding can be found here.here.
What are the other alternatives to USPS mail forwarding?
USPS Temporary Mail Forwarding is a great service to use if you know mail is being sent to an old address; however, it is important to note that this mail forwarding service is temporary, even if you submit a "permanent" address change request.
If you want to take the stress out of having to change your mailing address and want to be sure of a mail forwarding service no matter where you move, we recommend that you consult avirtual address and mailboxService.
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Disclaimer: Stable is not a legal or accounting firm, therefore we cannot provide legal or tax advice. You should consult legal and tax professionals for guidance on compliance with ongoing obligations that apply to you and your business.