The Change Of Address Process – Steps And Importance Of Making The Change

Life is undoubtedly full of uncertainties. At any point in time, a change could occur and you may be required to relocate to a new location. Although the move might be for the best, it will still be strenuous and very trying. Many people will focus entirely on the physical move, while ignoring all other important steps, which need to be taken.

For instance, you will need to proceed through the change of address procedure. Changing your address is pertinent and failing to do so could lead to massive problems in the future. Within this comprehensive guide, you will learn all about this process and the importance of making the change sooner rather than later.

What It Does

First and foremost, you should learn precisely what this change would do for you. You should understand, by looking at the name, that this procedure will change your address with the United States Postal Service. Since this entity is responsible for delivering your mail, notifying them of the change will give them the ability to deliver your mail to your new address.

As soon as the appropriate documentation has been submitted, the USPS will add a forwarder to your old address so all of your mail is promptly delivered to your new address. Generally, this forwarder will remain in place for a specific amount of time.

The Importance

Many people understand the importance of getting their mail in a timely manner, but most fail to understand the potential repercussions that will occur, if they fail to do so.

If you do not take this crucial step, you could very well find yourself in a future dilemma, which could negatively impact the remainder of your life. Below, you will find a breakdown of the potential problems that could stem from failing to complete this procedure shortly after a move.

Missed Payments

Although a lot of consumers have begun receiving monthly and annually bills online, the majority still obtains paper bills through the mail. The paper variety seems to be more reliable and has more impact on the consumer, so they can ensure that the payments are made in a timely manner.

Of course, this can be problematic, when transitioning from one residential location to the next. If you fail to change your address, your bills will continue being delivered at your old home. This can lead to massive problems!

If you’ve ever missed a bill payment, you should already be familiar with the consequences. First and foremost, the owed company will probably tack on a late fee to your next bill.

If the company is generous, they’ll allow you to maintain your service. If they’re not, your service could be cut off unexpectedly. Suffice to say, making the change well in advance is incredibly wise and will help to diminish the probability of this problem from occur.

Missed Earnings

The majority of consumers receive bills and only bills through snail mail. However, there are some luck people that will receive checks in the mail. Also, most people receive their tax documentation through the mail.

If you wish to be able to cash those checks or fill out your taxes within a timely manner, you will need to make sure that these things are being delivered to your new address. Since you could receive money back on your annual tax returns, you’ll want to ensure that the USPS and your current employer are well aware of your new address, before the move is finalized.

Identity Theft

Although the above problems are very detrimental, nothing is more frightening than the thought of identity theft. Some people actually put themselves in harm’s way, by failing to protect their identity.

These individuals may place their credentials online, without hesitation or they may carelessly toss their bills and bank statements in a public garbage bin. Making one of these mistakes will increase your risks for identity theft substantially. This is also true, if you fail to complete the change of address process in a timely manner.

If your important documents, such as your bank account statements, credit card bills and doctor bills, are being delivered to your old address, you won’t be able to prevent them falling into the wrong hands. If you’re lucky and live nearby, you’ll be able to drive over and pickup the mail, but this will not be a possibility for the majority of individuals.

If a devious, seedy individual manages to obtain these documents, they could very well commandeer your identity and ruin your credit or drain your bank account.

Truthfully, the only way to prevent these problems from occurring is by taking action, before it is too late. Successfully changing your address with the United States Postal Service can be completed within a matter of minutes and doesn’t need to cost anything.

There are several different ways to accomplish this task and each method is truly straightforward and simplistic. More details regarding the process will be provided below.

Temporary or Permanent Options

When you first begin filling out the change of address form, you will need to select from the permanent or temporary moving option. If you only want your mail to be sent to a forwarding address for 6 months, which can easily be extended to a full 12 months.

The permanent moving option should be selected, if you do not plan on returning back to the old physical mailing address. If you select the temporary option, you should include the start and end forwarding date, so the postmaster will know exactly when the alterations need to take place. The minimum time limit for temporary addresses changes is 15 days from the initial forwarding date.

When selecting the permanent option, be sure to include the date that you want the postmaster to start forwarding your mail to the new address, which should be inputted into the form.

Filing Process 

It is important to note that if only one individual is relocating to another area, only one change of address form will need to be filed with the local post office. If you receive mail by multiple names, you will need to repeat the process for each individual name. If you fail to repeat this process, you will risk much of your mail continuing to be delivered to this old address.

Individuals with different last names will also need to complete one of these forms. If everyone in the home has the same last name, only one form will need to be filed. Once you decide how many change of address forms that you need to file, you should go ahead and begin the application process. The form is actually very self-explanatory and can be completed in a matter of minutes.

You will need to input your personal data, old physical address, current phone number, new physical address, and contact information, just in case the postmaster needs to get in touch with you.

Fees Charged 

If you are going to electronically file the change of address form via the USPS website, you will need to pay $1.05 for each individual form. This fee is for identification purposes only and is often charged to your debit or credit card. Be sure to include your card number and expiration date, because the postmaster will need it to charge your account and verify your identity.

When to File the Form 

It is important to note that the form should be completed and filed with the postal service within 5 business days, before the actual forwarding date request. This will give the postmaster ample time to make the changes and prepare the postman or postwoman for the upcoming date.

Once the postmaster received and processes your change of address request, you will receive a CNL (customer notification letter) via your current physical address, which should be stored in a secure location. If you file electronically, a confirmation code will be sent to your e-mail inbox, which will be required to cancel or make any further changes to the form.

Lost Confirmation Letters 

As mentioned above, it is crucial to keep your confirmation letter stored in a secure location such as a lock box. If for some odd reason, the letter becomes misplaced, you may need to obtain a duplicate for future confirmations of the changes. In this case, the USPS will charge you a $52.00 fee for a duplicate change of address confirmation letter.

Periodical Mail 

It is important to note that the USPS staff is very busy, but they are willing to make exceptions for individuals that are relocating to another city or state. Periodical mail, newsletters, magazines, and catalogs will be forwarded to your new address for only 60 days. This will give you plenty of time to contact the company to make whatever changes necessary.

Doing It In Person

When it comes down to it, you should know that there are numerous ways to proceed. Many people will appreciate the convenience of being able to complete and submit the form online. Others might not feel comfortable placing their confidential information online.

If you fall into the latter category, you can rest assured knowing there are other ways to proceed. For instance, you may want to consider visiting your local USPS office in person. Although this may require a bit more time, it’ll ensure that the form is submitted directly to the appropriate individual.

Another advantage of completing this process in person is the fact that the USPS representative will be able to assist you throughout the process. Finally, visiting your local USPS office will give you the ability to complete the process, without paying for anything. If you’ve got the time and live near a USPS facility, this is definitely an excellent solution to the problem.

Submit It Through The Mail

If you’ve planned ahead and still have plenty of time, before the physical move, you may want to consider printing the application and sending it to the USPS through the mail.

This is truthfully one of the easiest ways to accomplish the task, but it is much more time consuming, since you’ll have to wait for the documentation to be delivered. Therefore, this method may not be realistic for everyone. If you have plenty of time before the move, this could be your best bet. If not, you may want to consider choosing one of the other techniques.

Although the other methods are quicker, some people will feel more comfortable sending the application through the mail. This is entirely reasonable and will be fine, as long as you make sure to plan ahead and send in the application sooner rather than later!

Completing The Process Online

Finally, you should realize that the change of address process could be completed online. This is undoubtedly one of the quickest and most convenient ways to proceed, but it does come with a few minor downfalls. First and foremost, you will need to confirm your identity. In order to do this, you will need to utilize a credit or debit card.

Your card will be charged a minor fee, so the USPS can confirm that you are exactly who you say you are. Also, some individuals will not feel comfortable transmitting all of this information over the Internet.

Despite these minor downfalls, completing the process over the Internet is still one of the best options. This is the case, because the Internet makes the process simple and straightforward. Even if you’re not tech, you should be able to complete the form and submit the application, within a matter of minutes. Just make sure that all of the information is entirely accurate, in order to prevent delays and potential problems in the future.

Getting Assistance

Lastly, you should realize that some individuals would need help, when attempting to change their address. The form might give them trouble or they might not be able to comprehend the process. If you fall into this category, you should understand that there is help available.

There are some third-party entities that are willing to walk you through the process and complete the form for you. If you need assistance in any way, it is recommended that you make contact with one of these groups today.