Changing Your Name With the Post Office

Steps

Same address: report your new name to your local post office, the one that delivers your mail.
If you're moving too, file a change of address: online or in person with PS Form 3575 from a free Mover's Guide packet.
If names in the household now differ, read USPS's Individual / Family / Business options on the official page before choosing.
Update important senders directly, especially for identity documents and financial mail that USPS says are not forwarded.

Source: Standard Forward Mail & Change of Address (USPS)

Same address: report the new name to the local post office that delivers your mail. Moving too: file a USPS change of address.

USAGov: "Report your name change to the local post office that delivers your mail." A USPS change of address is for moving: USPS says the order "only changes your mailing address with the Post Office." (usa.gov/name-change; usps.com/manage/forward.htm)
If you're moving too, file a change of address: online ($1.25 identity verification fee as of 2026-10-21; confirm on usps.com/manage/forward.htm) or in person with PS Form 3575 from a free Mover's Guide packet.
Forwarding starts after at least 7–10 business days and standard forwarding lasts 12 months (USPS).

Start the free name-change tool

Free guides, plus an optional tool that copies what you type onto blank official forms you choose. How the tool works

Same address, new name

USAGov says to report your name change to the local post office that delivers your mail. USPS's Find USPS Locations tool searches for nearby Post Office locations.

New address and new name

Fees and timing from usps.com/manage/forward.htm, last checked 2026-10-21.

Method	What USPS says	Fee (as of 2026-10-21)
Online	Official Change of Address at moversguide.usps.com. Choose Individual, Family, or Business. Verify identity; pay the ID fee. Card billing address must match old or new address.	$1.25 identity verification fee (confirm on usps.com)
In person	Request a free Mover's Guide packet. Fill out PS Form 3575. Photo ID used to verify identity.	Free Mover's Guide packet
Start timing	Once approved, allow at least 7–10 business days for it to go into effect.
Temporary move	USPS: relocating for 15 days up to 1 year.

USPS's online "Family" option is for households "where everyone has the same last name." If names in the household now differ, read USPS's Individual / Family / Business options on the official page before choosing.

What won't be forwarded

Per USPS, for security, mailers like government agencies and financial institutions do not allow forwarding of sensitive documents, including:

Identity documents, especially driver's licenses and voter registration
Credit cards, bank statements, insurance info, and other financial or medical information
USPS Marketing Mail unless the sender paid forwarding postage

USPS: "Your change of address order only changes your mailing address with the Post Office." Contact those senders directly. Related guides: DMV name change and voter registration name change.

Periodicals (newsletters and magazines) are forwarded for free for 60 days if fully prepaid by the sender (USPS).

How long forwarding lasts

Standard mail forwarding lasts 12 months.
Paid extension: 6, 12, or 18 more months (18 months maximum).
When forwarding ends, USPS returns mail to the sender for 6 months with a label that has your new address.

All figures from usps.com/manage/forward.htm, last checked 2026-10-21.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to tell the post office about a name change?

USAGov says: "Report your name change to the local post office that delivers your mail." If you are also moving, file a USPS change of address; USPS says that order "only changes your mailing address with the Post Office."

Is there a fee to tell USPS or set up forwarding?

For a name change at the same address, USAGov's step is to report it to the local post office that delivers your mail. If you are also moving, online change of address has a $1.25 identity verification fee as of 2026-10-21 (confirm on usps.com/manage/forward.htm). In person, the Mover's Guide packet with PS Form 3575 is free.

How long does a USPS change of address take to start?

USPS says: once your request is approved, allow at least 7-10 business days for it to go into effect.

How long does mail forwarding last?

Standard mail forwarding lasts 12 months. You can pay to extend for 6, 12, or 18 more months (18 months maximum). When forwarding ends, USPS returns mail to the sender for 6 months with a new-address label.

Does a change of address tell senders my new name?

No. USPS: "Your change of address order only changes your mailing address with the Post Office. You are responsible for telling government agencies, companies, and any other senders that your address has changed." Give senders your new name at the same time. Contact senders of identity documents and financial mail directly; USPS says those are not forwarded.