USPS Temporary Change of Address Explained

Temporary vs. permanent change of address

The main difference between a temporary and permanent address change request is the amount of time you plan to be away.

A temporary COA request (also called seasonal forwarding) is for moves of 15 to 364 days, ideal for when you’re away for less than a year (e.g., extended travel or going to school). If you’re moving away for one year or longer, you have to submit a permanent COA request.

» LEARN: 5 tips for moving to temporary housing

How to file a temporary COA with the USPS

You can file a temporary COA online or in person. Here’s how to do it.

Place your request at least two weeks before you move to allow for adequate processing time.

File a COA online

1. On your device, navigate to the USPS Change of Address page.
2. Choose whether your request is for an individual, family or business, and then enter your name, email address and mobile phone number.
3. The next prompt will ask: “Are you planning on returning to your old address in six months or less?” Click “Yes” to proceed with the temporary hold. (After the initial six-month period has passed, you can renew your request to reach the 364-day limit, so you’ll still choose “Yes” even if you know you’ll be gone longer than six months.)
4. Pick the date you want your mail forwarding to begin. You can predate this up to 30 days, but you cannot choose a date more than three months after the day you submit your request.
5. Lastly, you’ll have to pay a $1.25 identity verification fee that confirms that the billing address on your credit or debit card matches your current or newly requested address.
6. You’ll receive an email shortly after submitting your request, which will contain your confirmation code. You can use this to update your information, cancel or extend the request online.

File a COA in person

If you’re unable to verify your identity online or you’re requesting a COA for a minor or deceased person, the process must be done at a physical USPS branch.

1. Go to any post office location and request a COA from a retail clerk.
2. Verify your identity with an unexpired driver's license or state-issued ID card where the address matches either your current address or the new address where you’re relocating. You can also provide a Uniformed Services Identification Card or a U.S. passport, but these require a secondary form of identification that confirms your address. This can be:
   • Lease or mortgage statement
   • Voter registration card
   • Vehicle registration
   • Auto or home insurance policy
3. Fill out a Change of Address Order (Form 3575) found in the Mover’s Guide packet that you can pick up at your local post office. You have the option to send the COA request later through the mail, but it will not be processed until you verify your identity.

Once your request is received (either online or in person), the Postal Service will send a Move Validation Letter (MVL) to your current address. Within the five days prior to the forwarding start date, you’ll receive a Welcome Kit with a Customer Notification Letter (CNL) to your new address.

Factor in processing time

Mail forwarding typically begins seven to 10 business days after your submission, so try to submit your COA at least two weeks before your departure date. If you wait until the last minute, you may miss important correspondence during your move.

Also, keep in mind that delivery timelines may vary depending on your location, time of year and USPS processing volume, especially around holidays. Planning ahead ensures a smoother transition and helps avoid missed mail.

How to file a temporary COA with other institutions

Filing a temporary change of address with USPS is only part of the process — you’ll also need to notify key institutions to avoid things like missed bills and benefits disruptions.

• IRS: If you expect to receive tax documents or correspondence while you’re away, file Form 8822 to update your mailing address. The IRS generally recommends submitting updates within about 30 days of your move.
• Social Security: If you receive benefits, update your address with the Social Security Administration either online, by phone or in person. Changes should typically be reported within 10 days to ensure uninterrupted payments and notices.
• Driver’s license and DMV records: Requirements vary by state. If you’re staying within the same state temporarily, you may not need to update your license. However, if you move to a different state, you may be required to obtain a new license. Deadlines typically range from about 10 to 60 days, depending on the state, so check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Voter registration: To stay eligible to vote, update your registration using the National Association of Secretaries of State. Most states require updates at least 15 days before an election.
• Banks and credit cards: Notify financial institutions as soon as possible — ideally within 30 days — to prevent fraud alerts, missed statements or service interruptions. Many allow you to update your address quickly through online banking portals.
• Utilities and insurance providers: Contact utility companies, renters or homeowners insurance providers, and auto insurers before or shortly after your move. A two-week to 30-day window is typical to ensure continuous service and accurate coverage.

» MORE: How to update an address on your credit report

How temporary mail forwarding works

Mail forwarding, which accompanies a temporary change of address, lets customers have their mail temporarily sent to their requested address. However, this forwarding service doesn’t include all types of mail.

For some mail, you’ll have to change your address with the sender if you want to receive it at your new address. Periodicals and catalogs will only be forwarded for 60 days, and packages sent through carriers like UPS, FedEx or Amazon are not included in this service.

Any mail sent in the following ways will be forwarded for up to 12 months:

• First-Class Mail
• USPS Ground Advantage
• Priority Mail
• Priority Mail Express service
• Library Mail
• Bound Printed Matter
• Media Mail

International mail forwarding

If you’re temporarily relocating to an international locale and want your mail forwarded, the request must be made in person. You’ll follow the same process of filling out COA Form 3575 and completing your identity verification while at the post office.

If you’ve already moved out of the country and would now like your mail forwarded, you can only do this by designating someone in the States to submit the request for you, which requires an authorization letter.

Troubleshooting common mail forwarding issues

Even when you submit a change of address correctly, mail forwarding issues can still happen. Here’s how to identify and resolve the most common problems:

• Verify your request: Start by confirming your change of address was processed. Check your confirmation email and look for the MVL sent to your old address and the CNL sent to your new one. If you didn’t receive these, your request may not have gone through correctly.
• Allow for processing time: USPS forwarding typically takes seven to 10 business days to begin. During this window, some mail may still be delivered to your old address, especially items already in transit.
• Identify misrouted versus lost mail: If you’re missing mail, consider timing and patterns. A few delayed pieces are often just misrouted and may arrive later. However, consistently missing important mail (like bills or official documents) could indicate a processing issue or incorrect address details.
• Report missing mail: If items don’t arrive after a reasonable period, file a search request through the USPS Help portal. This can help locate missing mail or flag delivery issues tied to your forwarding request.

How to extend or modify your temporary COA

If your plans change or you need mail forwarding services longer than initially anticipated, you can extend or modify your temporary COA through USPS. Using your confirmation code, visit the USPS Change of Address webpage and log in to access your existing request.

From there, you can:

• Extend the end date for up to a total of 364 days from the original start date.
• Modify the forwarding address if your destination changes.
• Cancel the request if you return earlier than expected.

If you don’t have access to your confirmation code, you may need to visit your local post office with valid identification to make adjustments in person. Always make changes at least a few days before your original COA end date to ensure uninterrupted mail forwarding.

Alternatives to a temporary change of address

Other options may be better suited to your specific needs and duration of travel, each with its own advantages and considerations:

• Mail hold: If you don’t need your mail while you’re gone, you can request a hold until you return. However, mail can only be held for up to 30 days, so anything longer than this should be temporarily forwarded.
• Premium Forwarding Service: With Residential Premium Forwarding Service (PFS), a service offered by USPS, your mail is collected each week and then delivered to your new address in bulk. There is a one-time PFS fee of $26.40 for online enrollment or $28.70 for in-person enrollment as of publishing. Additionally, you’ll have to pay $29.70 each week your mail is forwarded.
• Third-party companies: There are some third-party companies that charge customers (often a fee of $40 or more) to submit a COA on their behalf, but they’re no longer accepted by the Postal Service due to enhanced security measures in place. This means you should only request a COA through the USPS official website.

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