Many people have noticed that if they move apartments or change their address, the USPS wants to charge them just to update their address. Like, seriously? They are already paying for moving trucks and deposits; now the post office wants a piece too?
Turns out there’s actually a reason behind it. Let me break down why USPS charges 1.10 for a change of address and what that money actually goes toward.
The Fee Keeps Changing (Sort Of)
Here’s something confusing. Different sources say different amounts. One says $1.10; others say $1.25. But when some visited to change their address in November 2025, the official USPS website charged $1.25.
The fee has been relatively modest; it was $1 since 2012. They edged it up a bit over the years, but nothing outlandish. Still, when you are already worried about moving and everything, any extra charge feels annoying.
It’s Really About Stopping Fraud
The main reason USPS charges this fee is to verify you’re actually you. Think about it. If changing your address was totally free and required zero verification, anyone could redirect your mail anywhere they wanted.
Your ex could send your mail to their place. A scammer could reroute your bank statements. Some random person could mess with your life just for kicks. That $1.25 charge requires a credit or debit card, which helps prove your identity.
When you do a USPS change of address online, the system checks that your card’s billing address matches either your old address or new address. That’s the verification part. They’re making sure you’re the actual person moving, not some identity thief.
My friend Lisa had someone try to redirect her mail once. The scammer got caught because they couldn’t provide valid payment that matched her addresses. The system actually works.
You Can Avoid the Fee If You Want
Here’s what is irritating. The USPS charging for change of address only is online or telephone driven. You could fill out the USPS change of address form for free if you physically visit a post office and submit it there.
The clerk checks your ID then and there, so they don’t have to charge a verification fee. You mostly show your driver’s license, complete PS Form 3575 and boom. Done. No charge.
So why do I still pay online? Because the post office is a nightmare. The lines are always a mile long, they close at bizarre hours and also, honestly, who wants to wait around an hour on their Saturday or just pay $1.25?
Watch Out for Scam Sites
Watch out for scam sites. This is a big one. A bunch of official-looking, but not actually official, third-party websites pile up when you Google “change address USPS”. They charge you $40 and up to do the exact same service that will only cost $1.25 at the actual USPS site.
Some people fall for this. The first site I clicked on wanted $39.95. The page looked legit and had official-sounding language. But it wasn’t actually USPS. It was some company trying to make money off people who didn’t know better.
Always make sure you’re on the actual USPS website. The real USPS change of address online portal is at moversguide usps or usps com/move. Look for that .gov in the URL or the official USPS branding.
The Billing Address Problem
A lot of people run into this frustrating issue. You try to pay the $1.25, but the system keeps rejecting your card and saying there’s a USPS change of address billing address error.
This happened to me. The problem was my credit card billing address was still my old apartment because I hadn’t updated it with my bank yet. But USPS needs that billing address to match either your old address or your new one for verification.
Here’s what I did. I used a different card that still had my old address on file. Worked perfectly. If you’re stuck in this situation, try a different card or update your billing address with your bank first, then do the USPS change.
What That Fee Actually Covers
USPS processes millions of address changes every year. Each one requires verification, processing, and then forwarding your mail for up to a year. That costs money.
The $1.25 doesn’t cover all those costs, but it helps offset them. It also gives you a little nudge to actually notify companies directly about your new address instead of relying on USPS forwarding forever.
Mail forwarding is temporary. After a year, USPS stops forwarding and returns your mail to the sender with your new address on it. The fee reminds you that you need to update your address with banks, credit cards, subscription services, and everyone else who sends you mail.
The USPS Rapid Address Change Option
If you need your address changed super fast, USPS offers a rapid option. It’s the same process, just faster. You still pay the same verification fee.
Regular changes can take up to two weeks to fully kick in. The rapid version starts within three business days. When I moved, I submitted my change two weeks before moving day, which worked out perfectly.
Different Types of Changes
You can do a temporary or permanent address change. ‘Temporary’ is for stuff like going to college for a semester or spending winter at your parents’ house. It lasts 15 days to six months.
Permanent changes are for when you’ve actually moved. USPS forwards your mail for 12 months. After that year, you can pay extra for extended forwarding if you want, but most people don’t need it.
I did a permanent change because I wasn’t going back to my old apartment. My roommate did a temporary one when he left for grad school for a semester.
Is $1.25 Really That Bad?
Okay, real talk. I was annoyed at first, but $1.25 is basically nothing. That’s less than a coffee. Moving costs hundreds or thousands of dollars. The USPS fee is such a tiny part of it.
What actually annoyed me more was almost getting scammed by those fake websites charging $40. That would’ve been a rip-off. But the official USPS charge? It’s reasonable once you understand what it’s for.
The verification prevents fraud. The processing handles forwarding millions of pieces of mail. The fee reminds you to update your address everywhere. It makes sense.
How the Process Actually Works
When you do the USPS change of address online, you fill out a form with your old and new addresses. You verify your identity by getting a code texted to your phone. You pay the $1.25 with a credit or debit card.
USPS emails you a confirmation code. Keep that code. You’ll need it if you want to modify or cancel your change later. They also mail a validation letter to your old address and a notification letter to your new address.
The whole thing takes maybe 10 minutes tops. Way easier than going to the post office.
What If You Can’t Verify Online?
Some people can’t get their identity verified online. Maybe their billing address doesn’t match. Maybe they don’t have a mobile phone for the verification code. Maybe the system just glitches out.
If that happens, you have to go to the post office in person. Bring your photo ID and proof of your old address, like a utility bill. The clerk will help you fill out the form and verify your identity right there. No charge.
It’s annoying if you wanted to do it online, but at least there’s a free backup option.
The Bottom Line on Why Does USPS Charge 1.10 for Change of Address
The charge is actually $1.25 now as of 2025, not $1.10 anymore. That small fee prevents fraud by verifying your identity through your credit card. It helps cover some of the processing costs. And it reminds you to update your address with everyone who sends you mail.
You can avoid the fee by going to a post office in person, but most people would rather pay $1.25 than deal with post office lines. Just make sure you use the official USPS website and not some scam site charging 30 times more.
When I think about everything involved in moving, the USPS fee is honestly one of the easiest and cheapest parts. Submit the form, pay $1.25, and your mail follows you to your new place for a whole year. That’s actually a pretty good deal.
My advice? Do it online unless you really can’t. Set it up two weeks before you move. Use a card with a billing address that matches either your old or new place. Save your confirmation code. And definitely don’t fall for those fake websites.
Moving sucks enough already. At least the USPS part is simple and cheap.