How to Change Your Address When You Move (USPS and Government Agencies)
The USPS change-of-address form forwards your mail for 12 months. But the post office does NOT tell the DMVDepartment of Motor Vehicles — Your state agency for driver's licenses, state IDs, and vehicle registration. Some states call it the BMV, DPS, MVD, or DDS.Click for official info ↗, IRSInternal Revenue Service — The US federal tax agency. It collects federal income taxes, issues refunds, and administers ITINs.Click for official info ↗, or immigration. This guide walks through the full checklist. Start with USPS forwarding. Then contact each agency yourself. Each agency must hear from you directly. This includes the AR-11 requirement for visa holders. They must file it within 10 days of moving.
At a glance
- Cost:
- $1.10 USPS verification charge
- Total time:
- 1–2 hours total across agencies
- Steps:
- 6 steps
- Where to apply:
- moversguide.usps.com
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official US sources(October 2026).
0 of 6 steps
- Before You Go 10 min
File the official USPS change of address
File at USPS.com/move. The $1.10 card charge verifies your identity. It also blocks fraud. Scam alert: some sites charge $40–$100 for "address change services". They are private middlemen. The official form is $1.10. Schedule it up to 30 days before the move. Mail forwards for 12 months for first-class mail. It forwards for 60 days for periodicals.
Click to mark as done
- Go 30 min
Update the DMV within your state's deadline
Most states require you to update your driver's license address within 10–30 days of moving. Some print the new address on a sticker. Others reissue the license. Update your vehicle registration and insurance at the same time. An old license address can lead to a fine during a traffic stop.
Click to mark as done
- Fill / Prepare 15 min
Tell the IRS and Social Security
For the IRS, file Form 8822 (change of address). Or just file your next return with the new address. But Form 8822 is faster if you expect mail, such as refunds or notices. For Social Security, update your address online. Use your my Social Security account if you receive benefits. USPS forwarding does NOT reliably reach SSASocial Security Administration — The agency that issues Social Security numbers/cards and pays retirement, disability (SSDI), and SSI benefits.Click for official info ↗.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay 5 min
Immigrants: file the AR-11 within 10 days
Non-citizens must report an address change to USCIS. This includes visa holders and green card applicants. They must do it within 10 days of moving. They use Form AR-11: free, online, takes 5 minutes. Missing it is technically a removable offense. It can also derail pending applications. US citizens are exempt.
Click to mark as done
- Follow Up
Work the rest of the checklist
Work through the rest of the list. Start with voter registration. Re-register in your new state/county. It does not transfer. Then update employer payroll. Update banks and credit cards. Update health insurance. Your plan's network may change by region! Update utilities, phone, and subscriptions. Update the electoral/property tax office if you own a home. Do them in the first week. USPS forwarding is a safety net. It is not a substitute.
Click to mark as done
- Receive
Confirm the USPS confirmation letter
USPS mails a Move Validation Letter to your old address. It confirms the forward. USPS also mails a welcome kit to the new address. If you get no confirmation within 10 days of the move date, check the status online. Mistyped addresses are the top reason it fails.
Click to mark as done
Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Paying a middleman for the USPS form. The official USPS change of address form costs 1.10 dollars. Private sites charge 40 to 100 dollars for the same address change service, so file at USPS.com/move.
Thinking USPS tells the agencies. USPS forwards your mail, but it does not tell the DMV, IRS, or immigration. You must notify each agency yourself, or official notices can be delayed or returned.
Missing the DMV deadline. Most states require you to update your driver license address within 10 to 30 days of moving. An old license address can lead to a fine during a traffic stop.
Missing the AR-11 10-day rule. Non-citizens, including visa holders and green cardPermanent Resident Card — The ID card proving lawful permanent resident status — live and work in the US permanently.Click for official info ↗ applicants, must report an address change to USCISUS Citizenship and Immigration Services — The federal agency that processes green cards, work permits, naturalization, and most immigration benefits. Part of the Department of Homeland Security.Click for official info ↗ within 10 days of moving using Form AR-11. Missing it is technically a removable offense and can derail pending applications.
Assuming packages forward too. Packages from shippers like UPS, FedEx, and Amazon are not forwarded at all. Update those addresses directly before you move. First-class mail forwards for 12 months and periodicals for 60 days.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does USPS forwarding notify the IRS or DMV?
No. USPS forwards mail physically, but it does not update any agency's records. Official notices can be delayed or returned. These include IRS letters, jury summons, and DMV renewals. You must notify each agency yourself.
How long does mail forwarding last?
First-class and priority mail forward for 12 months. Magazines and periodicals forward for 60 days. Packages from shippers are NOT forwarded at all. These shippers are UPS/FedEx/Amazon. Update those addresses directly before the move.
I moved between states. What is the biggest deadline?
The biggest deadline is the DMV license swap. Most states give new residents 30 days to get an in-state license. Driving on your old license beyond that can lead to a citation. Also re-register to vote. Registration does not cross state lines. And check your car insurance. Its price is based on state and county.
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