When you file a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service, your mail does not follow you forever. USPS mail forwarding runs on a clock, and the length depends entirely on which type of change of address you file. A permanent move buys you 12 months of First-Class forwarding; a temporary one can be as short as 15 days. Knowing the exact window matters, because once it closes, mail sent to your old address stops reaching you.
Here is precisely how long each kind of forwarding lasts, how to extend it, and what does and does not get forwarded along the way.
Quick facts: USPS mail forwarding durations
| Forwarding type | How long it lasts | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent change of address | 12 months for First-Class mail; 60 days for magazines and newspapers | A move you do not expect to reverse |
| Temporary change of address | 15 days up to 6 months, extendable to 12 months total | Seasonal stays, short-term relocations, extended travel |
| Premium Forwarding Service Residential | 2 weeks up to 12 months (weekly reshipment) | Getting all mail bundled and reshipped weekly |
| Premium Forwarding Service Commercial | Minimum 2 weeks, renewable | Businesses needing ongoing forwarding |
| Extended Mail Forwarding | Adds 6, 12, or 18 months to a permanent order | Stretching a permanent move past the standard year |
Timelines and fees reflect USPS policy as of 2026. Confirm current details on usps.com before you file.
How long does USPS mail forwarding last?
The short answer: a permanent change of address forwards your First-Class mail for 12 months, while a temporary change of address lasts anywhere from 15 days to 6 months and can be stretched to a full year. Magazines and newspapers are treated differently and only forward for 60 days under a permanent order.
Everything below breaks those windows down so you can pick the right option and avoid a gap in your mail.
Permanent change of address: 12 months
A permanent change of address tells USPS that your old address is no longer where you live. It forwards your First-Class Mail for 12 months from the start date you select. Periodicals such as magazines and newspapers forward for a shorter 60 days, which is why subscriptions are often the first mail to go missing after a move.
A permanent order also feeds your new address into the National Change of Address database. That database shares your updated address with certain mailers so their records can catch up, and it retains the information for roughly four years. If privacy is a concern, that data-sharing is worth weighing before you choose permanent over temporary.
Temporary change of address: 15 days to 6 months
A temporary change of address is built for situations where you plan to return to your original address, such as a seasonal move, a work assignment, or a long trip. The initial order runs from a minimum of 15 days up to 6 months. When your selected end date arrives, forwarding stops and mail automatically resumes to your original address, with no further action needed on your part.
If you need longer, you can extend a temporary order to a maximum of 12 months total by filing a second temporary request before the first one expires. Beyond a year, USPS expects you to switch to a permanent change of address instead.
Temporary vs permanent change of address: which one lasts long enough?
The deciding question is simple: are you going back to your old address or not?
- Choose temporary if you will return within a year. Forwarding ends on your date and reverts automatically, and senders are not notified of your new location.
- Choose permanent if the move is for good. You get the full 12 months, your address enters the National Change of Address database, and you can buy Extended Mail Forwarding if you need more time.
If you are unsure, a temporary order is the lower-commitment option, since it reverts on its own and keeps your new address out of the shared database.
Premium Forwarding Service: weekly reshipment
Premium Forwarding Service is a paid upgrade for people who want their mail collected and reshipped in a weekly package rather than piece by piece. The residential version runs from 2 weeks up to 12 months. The commercial version, aimed at businesses, has a minimum of 2 weeks and can be renewed for as long as it is needed. Because it carries a recurring fee, it makes the most sense when you want every piece of mail, including items that standard forwarding skips.
Extended Mail Forwarding: buying more time
Standard permanent forwarding tops out at 12 months, but you do not have to lose your mail the moment that year ends. Extended Mail Forwarding lets you add 6, 12, or 18 additional months to a permanent change of address for a fee. It is only available on permanent orders, not temporary ones, and it is the cleanest way to keep First-Class mail flowing while you finish updating your address with banks, employers, and other senders.
Does mail forwarding forward packages?
Partly. Standard forwarding covers First-Class Mail and Periodicals, but it generally does not forward USPS Marketing Mail (bulk advertising) or some Package Services shipments. Just as important, USPS forwarding does not coordinate with UPS or FedEx at all. If you have packages in transit with those carriers, you have to update your delivery address directly with each of them, because a USPS change of address will not reroute their shipments.
What happens when forwarding ends
Once your forwarding window closes, mail addressed to your old address is returned to sender or discarded rather than delivered to you. That is why the forwarding period is best treated as a grace window, not a permanent fix. Use the 12 months (or however long your order runs) to notify every sender individually, so that nothing depends on forwarding once it expires. Start with the accounts that matter most, then work through the rest before the clock runs out.
How to set it up and when to file
You can file online or in person at a post office. USPS recommends submitting your request about two weeks before your move, since forwarding typically takes 7 to 10 business days to begin. Filing early prevents a stretch where mail is still landing at your old address with no forwarding in place.
Frequently asked questions
How long does USPS change of address take to start working? Forwarding usually begins within 7 to 10 business days of your request, which is why filing roughly two weeks ahead of your move is the safe timeline.
Can I extend mail forwarding past 12 months? Yes, on a permanent order. Extended Mail Forwarding adds 6, 12, or 18 months for a fee. Temporary orders cap at 12 months total and then require a permanent change of address to continue.
How long does a temporary change of address last? From 15 days up to 6 months on the initial order, extendable to a maximum of 12 months by filing a second temporary request before the first expires.
Does forwarding cover magazines and newspapers? Only for 60 days under a permanent order, which is much shorter than the 12-month window for First-Class mail. Update subscription addresses directly to avoid missing issues.
Is there a fee to forward my mail? Filing a change of address in person is free, while filing online carries a small identity-verification fee. See our full breakdown of the USPS change of address cost for current amounts.
Before you rely on forwarding
Mail forwarding is a bridge, not a destination. It keeps your mail arriving while you update your address everywhere it needs updating, but it always expires. Use the window to change your address with your bank and financial accounts, and if your plans change, know how to cancel a USPS change of address cleanly. For everything else involved in a move, our relocation guide walks through the full checklist.
This article is for general informational purposes only. USPS forwarding periods, service options, and fees are set by the U.S. Postal Service and can change; confirm current details on usps.com before filing.
