How does USPS mail forwarding work?
By Justin Winter · Updated August 22, 2026
USPS mail forwarding redirects First-Class mail, magazines, and some other mail classes from your old address to your new one for up to 12 months, free online or $1.10 to verify your identity if you set it up in person. It does not forward everything, and it does not replace directly notifying people like your landlord — for that, you still need to mail a letter to the actual address on file.
USPS mail forwarding is a temporary safety net for mail that's already addressed to your old place — not a substitute for telling the people who actually need your new address. Here is what it does, what it costs, and where it falls short.
How to set it up
- Online at usps.com/manage/forward.htm — $1.10 identity verification fee, takes about 5 minutes.
- In person at any post office with a completed PS Form 3575 and ID — free.
- Both options let you choose temporary (up to 12 months) or permanent forwarding.
What it forwards, and what it doesn't
| Mail type | Forwarded? |
|---|---|
| First-Class Mail (letters, bills) | Yes, for the full forwarding period |
| Priority Mail | Yes |
| Periodicals (magazines, newspapers) | Forwarded for 60 days only |
| Marketing mail / catalogs | Often not forwarded at all |
| Certified Mail already in transit before you filed | Depends — may be forwarded or returned to sender |
Why a forwarding order isn't enough by itself
Forwarding only helps with mail already sent to your old address — it doesn't tell your landlord, a court, the DMV, or your bank that you moved. If you're ending a lease, you should still send your landlord a written notice with your new address on it directly, so there's no ambiguity (and no excuse) about where your security deposit refund is supposed to go.
paperplane doesn't offer mail forwarding itself, but if you're moving and need to formally notify a landlord, court, or agency of your new address, we can mail that letter for you — First-Class for a routine update, or Certified with electronic Return Receipt if you need proof they received it, like a lease termination or notice to vacate.
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Common questions
Is USPS mail forwarding free?
Setting it up online at usps.com costs $1.10, charged to verify your identity and reduce mail fraud. Setting it up in person at a post office with proof of identity and address is free.
How long does forwarding last?
Standard forwarding lasts up to 12 months. You can extend it, but many senders — banks, the IRS, some businesses — will still mail to your old address until you update it directly with them, forwarding or not.
What does forwarding not cover?
Periodicals and some marketing mail are forwarded for a shorter window (or not at all), and forwarding does not apply retroactively — mail already delivered to your old address is not affected. It also will not update your address with any specific sender; each one needs to be notified directly.
Why would I mail a notice instead of just relying on forwarding?
Forwarding is a safety net, not a notification. If you need your landlord, a court, or an agency to have your new address on file — for example, to send your security deposit refund — you need to tell them directly, in writing, not assume a forwarding order will reach them.