If you’re planning on moving soon, you likely know that you’ll need to file your change of address with the United States Postal Service (USPS) before your actual move date.
So, you planned ahead and sent in your change of address information weeks before your move. However, something has changed with your plans, and you need to update or cancel your change of address entirely.
Fortunately, updating or canceling your change of address request is not difficult. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to update or cancel your change of address.
How to Update or Cancel Your Change of Address Online
You can always update or cancel your request, even if it’s after the date you requested that your mail is forwarded to the new address.
Start by going to the USPS change of address website, then take these steps:
View, Edit, Cancel, or Dispute Your Change of Address
Scroll to the bottom of the USPS change of address website page. Look for a blue banner that states, “Want to View, Edit, Cancel, or Dispute your USPS Change of Address1”
Once you locate this banner, click the red arrow next to the text and wait for the page to load.
Alternatively, you can click here to bring this page up automatically.
Enter Necessary Information
The USPS page requires you to fill in your confirmation number and new ZIP code to bring up your USPS change of address information. Enter these two pieces of information to view your change of address form.
If you’re having trouble locating your confirmation number, look for your change of address confirmation email or the printed change of address order that was sent to your new address. If you submitted this request through the Post Office or online, you can find the code in the confirmation sent to the new address.
For email confirmations, look for an email with the subject line “Your USPS® Change of Address Confirmation.” Otherwise, look at the physical confirmation letter sent to your new mailing address to find the code.
If you have lost the validation letter or are unable to locate the email, visit your local post office in person to have its team help you find the confirmation number and process the cancellation or updated change of address.
Select the Needed Change
After entering your ZIP code and confirmation code, the following options will appear:
- Cancel your address change order altogether.
- Change your email address or phone number.
- Change your mail forwarding start date or end date.
- A temporary move switch to a permanent one.
- Change from a family move to an individual one (though not from individual to family).
Please note that you can only make two changes related to the same street address in one day. If you try to complete more than two, you’ll be given an error message and told to try again in 48 hours. As a result, we recommend starting with the most critical changes and working from there to make additional changes over time.
How to Update or Cancel Your Change of Address In Person
If you’re struggling with the online USPS system or don’t have your confirmation number, visit your local Post Office. The U.S. Postal Service can help you update or cancel your change or address. It also doesn’t charge a fee to complete the task, unlike the online system, which will charge a small fee to verify your identity.
Visit your local post office with the following information to request mail forwarding services:
- Your identification (driver’s license, state ID card, or passport should suffice.)
- Physical evidence that you’re living in the primary address, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or magazine subscription.
Closing Thoughts
Needing to update or cancel your change of address request doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by deciding whether you’d prefer to complete the change of address process in person or online, keeping in mind that completing this process online will result in a small fee and requires a debit card or credit card.
From there, simply provide the necessary information, your old address, and update or cancel your change of address. After completing the update or cancellation, you should receive a confirmation email at the new address in approximately five business days.
FAQs About Updating Your Change of Address
How Much Does It Cost to Change Your Address?
If you submit your address change through the USPS online, it will charge you $1.10. This charge is used as an identity verification fee to avoid fraud and ensure that you’re the person making the change request. If you visit the local post office to make the change, you won’t need to pay anything.
When Should I Update My Address for a Move?
We recommend changing your address with the USPS at least two weeks before your move so that you don’t miss your mail during the move. The USPS can take up to two weeks to process your address change, so don’t wait too long to submit your change of address. If you need to update or cancel your address change, immediately take action to ensure that you miss as little mail as possible.
Does Changing Your Address With the USPS Update It Everywhere Else?
No, you’ll need to change your address everywhere else. Submitting a change of address with the USPS only forwards your mail to your new address in the meantime. Use this time to contact companies and organizations that need your address to reach you and send important mail, such as your bank, subscriptions, utility company, and other bills you receive.
When Will My Mail Begin Arriving at My New Address?
After completing a change of address, you should begin receiving your mail at your new address within seven to 10 business days from your scheduled move date. If you submitted the change of address after your move, you’d receive it seven to 10 business days after you filed the change of address request.
Why Did the USPS Charge Me $40 To Change My Address?
USPS.com will never charge you $40 to change your address. However, websites with similar domain names or names that appear to be associated with the Postal Service may charge customers up to $40 for a change of address. In many cases, the customer’s change of address is never even made. We recommend that you always make the change through the official USPS change-of-address website or your local post office directly to ensure this doesn’t happen.
