Why Does It Cost $1.05 to Change My Address?

Why Does It Cost $1.05 to Change My Address?
In the chaos of your move, it’s easy to forget one important to-do list item: Changing your mailing address. It’s a small task — one that you can easily do online while sitting down for your morning cup of coffee. To make sure that your mail moves with you, you’ll have to change your address officially with the United States Postal Service. If you use the convenient online process, it will cost you $1.05. Here’s why.

USPS® Online Change-of-Address process

USPS® offers a secure online system to change your address. You’ll have to fill out a form with your email, phone number, and your previous and new addresses. USPS® will also ask you about who’s moving — is it just you, your family, or your business? — to help gather the necessary information. Once you fill out the required fields, you will be asked to pay the $1.05 fee with a credit or debit card. This identity validation fee is a fraud safeguard and verification tool. USPS® will ensure that the address linked with the credit/debit card matches either your old residence or your new residence. This way, the postal service can verify that it’s you making the change — not someone fraudulently requesting the address change on your behalf. When you’ve completed the change of address process, USPS® will send you a confirmation email to let you know that the request went through. The postal service will also send a Move Validation Letter to your old address, as a means to further verify your move. If you’ve already relocated when submitting the form, don’t stress. No action is required with the Move Validation Letter; it’s just an additional safeguard. You can also complete this process in person at any Post Office™ location.

When should I change my address?

We recommend changing your address in the two weeks leading up to your move. This will give USPS® enough time to send you the Move Validation Letter before your crazy Moving Day. It’s also helpful to notify all of the people, organizations, and companies that send you mail of your address change in the weeks before your move. That way you can make sure that all important mail is sent to the correct address. If for some reason you’ve already moved and need to update your address post-move, don’t worry. Just keep in mind that you might have missed some mail between the time of your move and when your change of address goes into effect.

Do I have to change my address with anyone else? 

The short answer: Yes, you do. Changing your address with the USPS® only forwards your mail to your new address for a limited time. It doesn’t change your mailing address on file with any other company, government organization, or institution. You’ll have to do that yourself by contacting them using the information provided on a bill or website. This will also simplify the process and ensure your mail arrives at the right place. Don’t know where to start? MYMOVE has your back with a complete change of address checklist.

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