Changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service costs very little, and it can cost nothing at all if you know which method to use. The catch is that lookalike websites charge many times the real price for the exact same service. Here is what USPS actually charges to change your address, why the online fee exists, and how to avoid overpaying a third party.
Quick facts: change of address fees
| Method | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online at usps.com | Small identity-verification fee (about $1.25 as of 2026) | Charged to a debit or credit card to confirm your identity |
| In person at a post office | Free | Complete the Mover’s Guide form; no charge |
| Premium Forwarding Service | Higher recurring fee | Enrollment fee plus a weekly reshipment charge |
| Extended Mail Forwarding | Tiered fee | Adds 6, 12, or 18 months to a permanent order |
| Third-party “filing” websites | Often $40 or more | Not official; you are paying a markup for a free or near-free service |
Fees reflect USPS pricing as of 2026 and can change. Confirm current amounts on usps.com.
How much does a USPS change of address cost?
Filing a standard change of address costs a small identity-verification fee of roughly $1.25 when you do it online, and it is free when you do it in person at a post office. That is the entire cost of a basic change of address. The online fee is not a charge for forwarding your mail; it exists to verify that you are the person authorized to redirect that mail.
Why the online fee exists
The identity-verification fee is a fraud-prevention measure. Because a change of address reroutes someone’s mail, USPS charges a nominal amount to a debit or credit card so it can confirm the card’s billing details match the person filing. It is a safeguard against someone fraudulently redirecting another person’s mail, not a service charge. If you would rather not pay even that small amount, filing in person is completely free.
Filing in person: the free option
To change your address at no cost, visit any post office and ask for a Mover’s Guide packet, which contains the change of address form. Fill it out, hand it to a clerk, and there is no charge. This route takes a little more effort than filing online, but it is the way to change your address for free.
Premium Forwarding Service and Extended Mail Forwarding
Two optional upgrades cost more than a basic order:
- Premium Forwarding Service collects your mail and reships it to you in a weekly package. It carries an enrollment fee plus a recurring weekly reshipment charge, so it is the priciest option, suited to people who want every piece of mail bundled and sent on.
- Extended Mail Forwarding adds 6, 12, or 18 months to a permanent order for a tiered fee. It is useful when you need forwarding to run past the standard 12-month window while you finish updating senders.
Watch out for third-party websites
Search for “change of address” and you will find sites that look official but charge $40 or more to file on your behalf. They are not USPS. They complete the same form you could submit yourself for about a dollar online or free in person, and pocket the difference. Always start at usps.com and check the web address before entering any card details. Paying a third party gives you nothing the official channel does not.
Frequently asked questions
Is a USPS change of address free? It is free when you file in person at a post office. Filing online carries a small identity-verification fee of about $1.25 as of 2026.
How much does it cost to change your address online? Roughly $1.25, charged to a debit or credit card to verify your identity. The amount can change, so confirm on usps.com.
Why was I charged around a dollar to change my address? That is the online identity-verification fee, a fraud-prevention step that confirms your card details before USPS reroutes your mail. It is not a charge for the forwarding itself.
Why do some websites charge $40 to change my address? Those are third-party services, not USPS. They upcharge for a form you can file yourself for far less. Use usps.com directly.
The bottom line on cost
A basic USPS change of address is one of the cheapest tasks on a moving budget, effectively free in person and about a dollar online. The only way to overpay is to file through an unofficial site. Once your address is filed, it helps to know how long mail forwarding lasts so you can plan around the window, and how to cancel a change of address if your plans shift. For the full picture of what a move runs, see our guide to how much movers cost.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not financial advice. USPS fees and services are set by the U.S. Postal Service and can change without notice; confirm current pricing on usps.com before filing.
