Movers Guide USPS: Everything You Need to Know for a Smooth Move

Moving to a new home can be both exciting and stressful. One of the most important tasks during a move is ensuring your mail follows you to your new address. The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a variety of services to help make this process easier. This movers guide USPS will walk you through everything you need to know to handle your mail during a move.Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, USPS has tools and services designed to simplify your transition. From forwarding your mail to updating your address, this guide covers all the essential steps.

1. Change of Address (COA): The USPS Change of Address service is the cornerstone of any move. You can submit your COA request online or in person at your local post office. This ensures your mail is forwarded to your new address for a specified period.
2. Mail Forwarding Options: USPS offers different forwarding options, including temporary (6 months) and permanent forwarding. Choose the one that best fits your situation.
3. Informed Delivery: This free service provides digital previews of your incoming mail, which can be especially helpful during a move when you might not be at your new address yet.

Beyond mail forwarding, USPS offers several other services that can be invaluable during a move:

• Priority Mail Express: For important documents you need to send quickly during your move
• Hold Mail Service: If you’ll be between homes for a short period, you can have your mail held at your local post office
• Package Intercept: If you accidentally send a package to your old address, this service can redirect it

When using USPS moving services, timing is crucial. Here’s a recommended timeline for handling your mail during a move:

1. 4 weeks before moving: Sign up for Informed Delivery to start tracking your mail
2. 2 weeks before moving: Submit your Change of Address request
3. 1 week before moving: Notify important senders (banks, subscriptions) of your address change
4. Moving day: Leave a note with your forwarding address for the new residents
5. 2 weeks after moving: Check that mail forwarding is working properly

Many people have questions about USPS moving services. Here are some common concerns addressed:

• Does mail forwarding cost money? There’s a small identity verification fee when submitting online, but the forwarding service itself is free.
• What mail isn’t forwarded? Certain items like magazines and packages may not be forwarded after the first few weeks.
• How long does forwarding last? First-Class mail is forwarded for 12 months, periodicals for 60 days.

To make the most of USPS moving services, consider these pro tips:

• Submit your Change of Address request about 2 weeks before your move date
• Update your address with senders directly for important accounts (banks, credit cards)
• Use the USPS moving checklist available on their website
• Consider renting a PO Box at your new location if you’re moving to temporary housing

Technology has made managing your move with USPS easier than ever. The USPS mobile app allows you to:

1. Submit and track your Change of Address request
2. Schedule package pickups at your new home
3. Track incoming mail through Informed Delivery
4. Find your new local post office

Remember that while USPS handles your mail, you’ll need to update your address separately with:

• Banks and financial institutions
• Subscription services
• Government agencies (DMV, IRS)
• Employer and professional contacts

For international moves, USPS offers additional services through their Global Express Guaranteed and Priority Mail International options. However, mail forwarding services are limited for moves outside the United States.By following this movers guide USPS, you can ensure that your mail transition is as smooth as your physical move. Taking advantage of these services will help prevent lost mail and maintain your important communications during this transitional period.Finally, don’t forget to update your address with USPS again if you move multiple times within a year. The forwarding service doesn’t automatically update if you move more than once. With proper planning and by utilizing all the tools USPS provides, you can make your move less stressful and more organized.