Moving and documents
Changing your address after a move in the USA
USPS can forward mail, but government agencies and other organizations need separate updates.
Photo: Elliott R. Plack · CC0 · cropped and compressed
Facts checked against primary sources: September 9, 2026.
Start with the official USPS service
Submit a Change of Address only through USPS.com or at a Post Office. USPS warns that third party sites may charge far more than the official fee. Check the current fee and identity verification options on the USPS page before submitting.
Mail forwarding does not update every record
A USPS request helps forward eligible mail, but it does not automatically change your address with the IRS, DMV, bank, insurer, employer or subscriptions. Review statements and mail from recent months, make a sender list and update each record directly.
Notify the IRS separately
The IRS accepts Form 8822 for a home address change and lists other notification methods on its official site. Use the method that fits your situation and never send tax identifiers through a public listing or an ordinary message to a stranger.
Check USCIS requirements
USCIS states that people subject to alien registration requirements must report a new address within 10 days of moving. A USPS update does not replace the USCIS notice. If an immigration court is handling a case, the court address record must also be updated separately.
Finish the state and local updates
Deadlines for a driver license, vehicle registration and voter registration vary by state. USA.gov collects links to the relevant agencies. Record the date and confirmation for each update, then check the first mail arriving at the new address.