How To Change Your Address: A Step-by-Step Guide
Fact Checked by: Here’s the quick answer: To change your address, start with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). File a change of address online at the official USPS site or in person at any post office. Then update your state DMV, the IRS, Social Security, your voter registration, and every bank, insurer, utility, and subscription that mails you. This guide walks you through each step, with a full checklist and timeline.
moveBuddha helps 400,000 people plan their moves every year, from getting quotes and comparing long-distance movers to transferring utilities and changing their address.
Jump to the address change info you’re looking for:
- Change your address with USPS
- Confirm your USPS change
- Avoid fake address change sites
- How mail forwarding works
- Government agencies to notify
- Your state DMV
- Voter registration
- Give your mover your new address
- Proof of address
- Change of address checklist
- Online vs. in person
- When to change your address
- FAQ
How do you change your address with USPS?
You can change your address with USPS online, in person at a post office, or by mail. Online is the fastest option for most people. Whichever you choose, file the request yourself through USPS, not through a third-party site.
Option 1: Change your address online
- Go to the official USPS change of address site: moversguide.usps.com.
- Fill out the form: Enter your old and new addresses, your move date, and whether the move is temporary or permanent.
- Verify your identity: USPS charges a small identity verification fee to a credit or debit card.
- Save your confirmation: You’ll get a confirmation email with your change of address confirmation number.
Option 2: Change your address in person
If you’d rather have face-to-face help, or you don’t want to pay by card online, visit any post office. Ask for the change of address form (PS Form 3575), fill it out, and hand it in at the counter.
Option 3: Change your address by mail
If you can’t go online or visit a post office, you can mail the completed change of address form to your local post office. It’s the slowest option, so leave extra time before your move.
The post office handles your mail, but not your belongings. See what a move like yours typically costs.
How do you confirm your USPS change of address?
USPS confirms your request by email if you file online, and by letter. If a confirmation shows up that you didn’t expect, contact USPS right away.
- Online: Watch for a confirmation email right away, then a letter at your new address.
- In person or by mail: Watch for a confirmation letter at your new address. If it doesn’t arrive within a couple of weeks, contact your post office.
- Keep your confirmation number: You’ll need it to check on, change, or cancel your request.
How do you avoid fake change of address sites?
Only file your change of address at moversguide.usps.com or at a post office. Look-alike sites show up in search results and charge large “service fees” to file the same form for you.
- Check the web address: The official site ends in usps.com.
- Watch the price: A site asking for much more than the small USPS verification fee isn’t USPS.
- When in doubt, go in person: Your local post office can file the change for you.
Scam sites aren’t the only thing worth checking before a move. Book a vetted, moveBuddha Certified mover.
How does USPS mail forwarding work?
Mail forwarding sends mail addressed to your old home to your new one for a limited time. It covers most letters, but not everything, and it ends whether or not you’ve updated your accounts.
- Permanent vs. temporary: Choose permanent if you’ve moved for good. Choose temporary if you’ll return to your old address, such as after a seasonal stay.
- Letters and bills: First-Class Mail is forwarded for the longest period.
- Magazines and newspapers: Periodicals are forwarded for a shorter window, so update subscriptions directly.
- Changes: Keep your confirmation number in case you need to change or cancel your request.
Check the current forwarding periods on usps.com when you file. Treat every forwarded envelope as a reminder to give that sender your new address directly.
Mail forwarding buys you time, but it doesn’t update your address anywhere. Every forwarded letter is a sender you still need to notify.
Which government agencies need your new address?
Your state DMV, the IRS, Social Security, and your voter registration office all need your new address. Non-citizens also need to report a move to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These offices don’t get your update from USPS.
IRS
- File IRS Form 8822: Download Form 8822 to change your home mailing address with the IRS.
- Why it matters: It keeps refunds and IRS notices from going to your old address.
Social Security
- Update online: If you receive Social Security benefits, you can change your address and phone number online with a my Social Security account.
- Other options: You can also contact Social Security by phone or visit a local office.
USCIS (non-citizens)
- File Form AR-11: Report your new address online or by mail.
- Don’t wait: USCIS sets a short deadline after a move, and missing it can affect your immigration case.
If you’re moving to a new state, see our guide to establishing residency in a new state.
How do you change your address with the DMV?
Update your address with your state’s DMV (or motor vehicle agency) on its official website. Many states let you do it online, and some set a short deadline after you move, so check yours early. If you move to a new state, you’ll usually need a new license and vehicle registration there, not just an address change.
- California: Use the California DMV’s online change of address service.
- New Jersey: Follow the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission’s address change instructions.
- Texas: Driver licenses are handled by the Texas Department of Public Safety. See its page on changing information on your driver license.
- Every other state: Search your state’s name plus “DMV change of address,” and use the result that ends in .gov.
Pro tip: Your license and your vehicle registration are often separate records. Update both, and update your car insurance at the same time, since your rate can depend on where you live.
How do you update your voter registration?
Update your voter registration every time you move, even within the same state. USPS doesn’t update it for you.
- Register online, by mail, or at the DMV: Many states offer all three.
- Find your state’s rules: usa.gov/change-voter-registration
- Watch registration deadlines: If an election is coming up, update before your state’s cutoff.
Paperwork is only half of moving. Compare real-time estimates from vetted movers.
Why does your mover need your new address early?
Give your mover your new address when you book, not the week of your move. Your mover needs to know whether its truck can reach your new home. If it can’t, you may pay for a shuttle, a smaller truck that carries your things the rest of the way.
Expert tip: moveBuddha founder Ryan Carrigan recommends giving your mover your new address when you book and asking it to check the street on Google Maps for anything that could require a shuttle, like low power lines, a tight turn, or HOA rules. The mover may be able to plan around it, and you’ll know the cost up front. See the legitimate ways movers can increase your final cost.
In moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project, Hitesh G. learned this the hard way on his October 2023 move to Arvada, Colorado. His mover told him the day before delivery that its truck couldn’t park by his apartment and that a shuttle truck would cost extra. “I shared the new address with Dumbo Moving a month in advance and they only realized the parking issue at the last moment,” he told us.
Give your mover your new address when you book, and ask it to check for anything that could keep the truck from reaching your door.
Learn MoreWhat counts as proof of address?
A recent utility bill, lease, bank statement, or government letter showing your new address usually counts as proof of address. You’ll need one for the DMV, voter registration, and some banks.
- Utility bill: A recent gas, electric, water, or internet bill.
- Lease or mortgage statement: It must be current.
- Bank or credit card statement: It must show your new address.
- Insurance policy or bill: Auto, renters, homeowners, or health insurance.
- Government mail: A tax bill or a letter from Social Security or the DMV.
Check requirements: Each agency sets its own rules, including how recent a document must be. Confirm before you go.
Who do you need to notify when you change your address?
Notify every organization that sends you mail, bills you, or needs to reach you. Use this master checklist so you don’t miss one.
- USPS (mail forwarding)
- DMV (license and vehicle registration)
- IRS (Form 8822)
- Social Security
- USCIS (non-citizens, Form AR-11)
- Voter registration office
- Banks and credit unions
- Credit card companies
- Insurance providers
- Healthcare providers and pharmacies
- Employer and payroll
- Schools and alumni associations
- Utilities
- Subscription services and online retailers
- Professional licensing boards
- Clubs and organizations
- Friends and family
Real movers in the Better Moves Project kept the list under control by tracking it from the start. Melissa O., who moved from Wellington, Florida, to Red Bank, Tennessee, in March 2024, wrote everything down: “I had a notebook to keep track of pre and post move activities so I could mark things done as I completed them.” Her list included insurance, address changes, new doctors, and utilities.
William B. worked ahead before his April 2026 move from Gretna, Nebraska, to Timnath, Colorado. “I am also getting ahead of transferring all of my services, insurance, etc. ahead of time so they will auto end and start with the new address so I can focus on getting there,” he told us.
Should you change your address online or in person?
Online is the best choice for most people, since it’s fast and you get confirmation right away. In person makes sense if you want help or don’t want to pay by card.
| Method | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Fast, convenient, instant email confirmation | Requires a card for identity verification | Most people and last-minute planners |
| In person | Help on the spot, no online payment | Requires a trip to the post office | Anyone who wants help or doesn’t want to pay by card |
| By mail | No need to leave home | Slowest, no instant confirmation | People with limited mobility or no internet |
When should you change your address?
File your USPS change of address about two weeks before you move, and update most accounts in the same window. Save the DMV and voter registration for right after you arrive, unless your state lets you update ahead of time.
- Two months before: Watch your mail and list every recurring sender.
- One month before: Opt out of junk mail and cancel subscriptions you don’t want.
- When you book your mover: Give the mover your new address.
- Two weeks before: File with USPS and update banks, utilities, insurance, and the IRS.
- Right after you move: Update your DMV records and voter registration.
- While forwarding lasts: Use forwarded mail to catch any accounts you missed.
Want the full plan? Our complete moving checklist covers everything from booking movers to unpacking.
What are the best tips for a smooth address change?
Track every update in one place, and use forwarded mail to find what you missed. A little organization keeps bills and important letters from slipping through.
- Keep one list: A notebook, spreadsheet, or notes app works. Check off each account as you update it.
- Use forwarded mail as a checklist: Each forwarded item is a sender to update.
- Cut the junk: Unsubscribe from catalogs and mailing lists before you move.
- Cancel old subscriptions: Avoid paying for deliveries to your old address.
- Keep your moving paperwork: Your lease, closing documents, or a letter from your moving company can help if an agency asks for proof.
Ready for your next step? Use our moving cost calculator to get personalized estimates and plan your move with confidence.
FAQ
Will USPS update my address everywhere?
No. USPS only forwards your mail. You have to update your address with each bank, agency, and company that contacts you, including the DMV, the IRS, and Social Security.
Does it cost money to change your address with USPS?
Filing online includes a small identity verification fee charged to a credit or debit card. If you’d rather not pay by card, you can file in person at a post office.
When should I file my USPS change of address?
File about two weeks before your move so forwarding starts on time.
Do I need to update the DMV if I move within the same state?
Usually, yes. Many states require you to update the address on your license and vehicle registration after any move, and some set a short deadline. Check your state DMV’s website.
How do I change my address with the IRS?
File IRS Form 8822 to change your home mailing address. This keeps refunds and IRS notices from going to your old home.
What if I move again soon?
File a new change of address with your latest details, and update the accounts you already changed.
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