How to Forward Mail to Someone Else

Ask permission from the person to whom you want your mail forwarded. If they are unaware, your important letters could get thrown away or misplaced. If you would like to set up mail forwarding online, go to Step 2. If you would like to set up mail forwarding in person at the post office, skip to Step 5.

Open the online Official Change of Address Form on the United

States Postal Service website. (See Resources for a link.)

Click the button marked "Click here to begin." On the following page, select either a temporary or permanent change of address, depending on your situation. Type in the date you wish the forwarding to start in the field provided and click "Continue." If you selected a temporary change, enter both the start date and the date you will return.

Select whether you are an individual, family or business on the following page by clicking the appropriately marked box. After pressing the "Continue" button, you will be led to a page asking for your full name, existing address and address that you wish to have the mail forwarded to. Fill out all of this information completely. Enter your credit card number to pay a $1 fee for this service. If you do not have a credit card with billing to your mailing address, or you do not want to pay the fee, continue to Step 5.

Fill out the change of address form as outlined online, but instead of submitting when completed, print it out and mail the form to your post office or take it over by hand. For this you do not need a credit card. Otherwise, you may go to the post office in person and request a change of address form. On the paper form, mark in the appropriate box if this is a temporary change of address, along with the start dates and end dates for forwarding your mail.