Many new residents have had the issue of receiving mail for the previous occupants. They just keep accumulating, no one ever comes for them and the mail never stops. This is because their mail was not set up with the USPS for forwarding.
A very easy way to ensure that all your mail is sent to you at the new address is by mail forwarding.
Mail and packages will definitely be sent to your new address if you have applied for mail forwarding or a change of address. It takes about 7–10 working days for the USPS to forward mail.
Mail forwarding works by taking your old residence into account and redirecting your mail to your current residence. Mail with your previous residence or address attached will not be mailed there; instead, it will be delivered to you.
Whether you move to a new residence permanently or temporarily, you have to apply for a change of address so that you can receive mail and packages. Not doing this keeps your mail accumulated at the old address. Accumulated packages and mail are sent back to the sender or discarded after 10 days.
How do I get packages forwarded to my new address?
Forwarding your packages to your current address through the USPS is very important. You can only choose to announce your move to your friends, family, and the organization where you work. Let’s assume they all get informed, even though not everyone will actually receive it. Other institutions, like the bank, that you do not have control over might not be notified that you have changed your location. As soon as you decide to move, make sure your mail is forwarded by the USPS.
To keep receiving mail at your current address, you may go to the USPS office or apply online at the official site USPS.com if your new location is still in the United States. You will need to follow the following steps correctly to keep receiving mail.
Online mail forwarding
- Visit www.usps.com
- Your bank card will be requested for verification and a fee of $1.10 will be charged on it.
- Your mail will be forwarded to your current address after the confirmation has been sent to your email.
Mail Forwarding at the USPS Office
- This is done physically at your local USPS office.
- Request for a change of address form.
- Submit the form at the mail slot.
- Wait for about 7 days for a letter of confirmation at the address you filled in.
It is very important that you apply for a change of address some months before you move. This is to make sure that the mail is forwarded just at the right time to you. In most cases, people who change their address when they are already at the new place lose old mail that was already directed to the previous address.
How long will USPS forward packages to new address?
You always have an option when choosing how long you want your mail to be forwarded.
When you schedule your mail to be forwarded permanently, you are given up to 356 days. You will always be updated whenever the set is coming to an end. You will be notified that your plan is about to end two weeks in advance by a postcard that will be delivered to your mailbox.
What is the difference between forwarding mail and changing address?
There are no distinctions between forwarding mail and changing your address because both involve receiving mail, packages, and other items at your new location rather than the old address where you previously received them. When you have submitted a request for a change of address, it also means you have requested a USPS mail forward. It could be permanent or temporary.
Forwarding of mail typically involves notifying the USPS that you have moved to a different address and subscribing to a particular offer. This could last for up to a year or even six months, depending on the type of mail you receive. This forwarding of mail service is popularly known as a virtual post office box or hybrid mail service.
Contrary to what some people say, forwarding mail will not modify your address but merely redirect mail. This means that, if you did not remember to inform someone after relocating, the mail or packages they sent to the previous address they are familiar with will be sent to your current address instead by the USPS.
Is forwarding mail free?
First-class mail is forwarded by the USPS without any charge after you have applied for a change of address form and have received a confirmation.
The only charge you will receive for the forwarding of mail is $1.10. This one-time charge is placed on the bank card you used for verification. However, you will be charged an initial fee of .95 online and .90 at the post office if you choose to use the premium service that the USPS offers. After paying the initial fee for this premium forwarding, you will have to pay $23.90 every week you receive a service.
Basically, any other mail forwarding apart from the premium service does not require any fee.
What happens when USPS forwards a package?
Your packages are forwarded by the USPS just the same way mail is forwarded. When you have moved out of the registered mailing address, USPS will redirect packages to your new address.
When you have forwarded a package, you can track it with the tracking number given to you during your email confirmation or receipt. Once the package has been forwarded to the address, you will receive a forwarded status on the package when you check the website.
What happens to mail that is not forwarded?
You are probably expecting your mail to arrive at your new location after relocating from the address you used to receive mail. The big question is, did you request a change of address? If you did, then why is your mail not being forwarded? And what really happens to them?
Packages and mail that are sent to your old mailing address will be collected and stored for 10 days if you have failed to request mail forwarding after moving. Mail is returned to the sender after 10 days (if possible), and mail that cannot be returned is discarded.
What happens to mail after forwarding expired?
Permanent or temporary forwarding mail lasts up to 12 months before it finally expires. However, you will be informed some weeks before the date to help you remember to renew.
The USPS returns mail to the senders after a period of one year with no renewal. You will no longer receive forwarded mail to your new location. They will be sent to the previous address and collected if there is no receiver. After 10 days, it will be sent back to the sender. This also applies to the deceased.
How much does it cost to extend mail forwarding?
Extending mail forwarding is very important if you want to keep receiving mail after the 12 month expiration. It can only be extended to a maximum of eighteen months (one year and six months).
This extension is available only for permanent address change requests.
When you initially request an extension, you will be given the following options:
- Six months for $19.95.
- Twelve months for $29.95.
- Eighteen months for $39.95
Note that this plan cannot be changed or canceled after the application has been confirmed. It is also non-refundable after payment has been made. If you have any issues concerning signing up or extending your mail forwarding, email changeofaddress@usps.gov.
You are only eligible to extend your mail forwarding if you request a permanent change of address. This extension can be requested on USPS.com or at moversguide.com. Other customers who have signed up for a permanent change of address for up to 18 months can extend their mail forwarding online at managemymove.usps.com or visit the nearest USPS office.
How do I know if my mail has been forwarded? How do I track a USPS forwarded package?
USPS provides a tracking number for any sent or ordered package. This applies to even packages or mail that are being forwarded. Using this tracking number enables you to know the current location of the package.
You are always allowed to track packages by USPS and other courier services. How do you track your packages then?
- The USPS tracking ID given to you that starts with 1Z is what you basically need to track forward service online.
- You will have to input the tracking number to open the United States Postal Service tracking portal.
- Wait for it to load.
- There you will see some information and the status of your package.