We’ve all been in situations where the things we planned earlier suddenly didn’t go as planned and we had no option but to reschedule and cancel some plans made earlier because of the sudden turnaround of events.
It might be canceling a flight, visiting a friend, or even changing the address of the mail you’ve already sent, just like in this situation. In this article, we’ll be looking at many things that have to do with mailing and how long it will take for an address to be changed by the United States Postal Service.
Now, applying for a change of address will actually trigger a mail forwarding so that instead of the mail going to your formal address, it reaches your new address instead. The service is likely to be limited in duration, ranging from two days to up to two years, depending on the specific USPS forwarding service option you choose.
Take note that the USPS requires a change of address form to be submitted whenever you or the business you manage changes addresses. This is a method of rerouting your mail, but only if it is being sent to the old address so that it can be rerouted to your new address.
This particular service is very important, especially if you are getting different packages sent to your old address. Also take note that there might also be a possibility of a delay if the sender does not yet know your new address or if a lag period ensues when trying to update your address.
How long will mail be forwarded after a change of address?
Mail forwarding actually starts at least three business days after you submit the request, and the letters begin to be forwarded directly to your address as they enter. Now, the period of time that it takes for this service to last entirely depends on the option used. In other words, the duration of your mail forwarding is solely determined by the option you select.
If you are considering changing your address, here are some of the options available to you.
Step 1. If you live in the United States, kindly visit the official website of the USPS to change your address.
Step 2. Go ahead and select which option suits you most, permanent or temporary.
Step 3. Go ahead to pay the $1.10 identity verification fee.
Step 4. Fill in valid information and complete the online form.
Step 5. After completion, you will receive an email from USPS containing a confirmation code. You can use this code to either change or cancel your request.
Step 6. You will receive a welcome kit and coupons from UPSP partners at your new address.
Step 7. Gradually, mail will start coming in to your new location bit by bit.
What happens if mail gets sent to an old or wrong address?
Yes, it happens. Sometimes mistakes like this occur, and people receive mail that is not theirs, or their mail is delivered to an old address. However, if the receiver does not act, the post office or post worker might not be aware that you’ve been receiving the wrong mail. As we move on, we’ll be looking at what you can do if you find yourself in such a situation, or maybe you are already in it and you are looking for a way out.
If you find yourself in this situation and have no idea what to do, you can easily do away with it the right way. Just pick up a pen and write “return to sender” on the front of the envelope and put it back inside your mailbox. The person in charge of your posts will then take it up from there. After a while, the post office will realize the letter isn’t getting to the right address as it has been sent back and will prevent further mail for the individual from being sent to your address.
However, if you continue to get these mails even after doing the above alternative, you should consider writing a letter to your postal office or worker, letting them know that the person to whom the letter is being sent does not stay there anymore. This way, it would be easier for them to know they’ve been sending emails to the wrong location all the while.
If your emails keep being sent to the wrong address, the best thing to do at this point is to change your postal address completely. You can do this online by following the stated steps in the sub-topic before this or by visiting the post office.
Is it illegal to keep a package wrongfully delivered to you?
There are several instances of people stealing information from emails that were not meant for them and using it to cash out or do other things that are not appropriate. For the record, about seven people have been arrested in Georgia for stealing mail and cashing out the checks. However, not all cases of arrests like this emanate from just stealing mail and cashing it out; ignoring and not forwarding mail that is not yours can get you in trouble.
The majority of cases like this occur when someone moves out of a place and forgets to change their address, so the mail keeps going to the address where they no longer live.
In the United States, it is considered a crime to mishandle mail that isn’t yours. A person found wanting in such a case will have to pay a fine and spend five years in jail. However, the laws differ by state as it is a federal law, and each decides what the penalty entails for them.
This law penalizes intent, so if you accidentally opened a mail and didn’t realize it wasn’t yours, you’re fine. However, if you damage or dismiss a letter that actually isn’t yours, then you’ll have to face the penalty.
How do I stop someone else’s mail from coming to me?
To stop someone else’s mail from coming to your mailbox, there are certain options you should try.
- Put a “Return to Sender” label on it and put it back into the mail box. You can also cross out the barcode to make it more obvious that the letter is not for you.
- Reach out to the owner of the place where you stay. If you live in a rented apartment, it is best to report to the owner of the house about the unsolicited mail you are receiving and how it is not for you.
- Let your postal worker know of the current development. Assure them that there is a problem with your mail because it is not yours.
- If all the steps listed are not working, then it’s best to write your post office a letter, letting them know of the emails you’ve been getting that aren’t meant for you.
What mail is not forwarded with a change of address?
When a change of address is made, you won’t get to receive all the mail you used to receive anymore. You will receive most of the mail, but there are some exceptions, which are:
- Magazines and second-class mail after it has been up to sixty days.
- Other second-class mails include non-profit mail, bulk mail, etc.
- Mails that aren’t addressed to you.
Is it faster to change your address online?
The fastest and easiest way to change your address is online. Kindly visit USPS.com/move to change your address online. After filling out your details and submitting the form, you immediately get a confirmation code in your email to confirm the change you made. This is a better option than going to the post office, where you might have to wait in line and fill out your form manually.
Is USPS change of address free?
No, there is an added charge of .10 to actually enter your address on the website; the same thing is applicable at the post office too. Most people agree that the change of address charge or fee is quite fair, given that you can always be in the comfort of your home and do it online without having to go to the post office.
However, if you feel it would be better to use the postal office, you can still do it, but the majority of people will do it online.
Why did USPS charge me 100 dollars to change my address?
The United States Postal Service charges $1.10 because of the verification of your identity and protection from fraud. Before you pay the intended charge or fee for a change of address, make sure you look for the UPSP’s official logo, and the official site contains ups.com.
Another important thing to look out for is excessive charges. The USPS does not charge more than $1.10; anything else is a fraudulent activity. You also want to look out for recurring charges; the USPS does not charge more than once.