Post Office Change of Address: USPS vs Royal Mail vs An Post

Moving house already tops most people’s stress list—adding a change of address to the mix shouldn’t be another headache. Whether you’re moving across town or to a different country, the post office options vary dramatically in speed, cost, and hassle. This article compares the official change-of-address services from the USPS, Royal Mail, and An Post, so you can pick the fastest, cheapest route for your situation.

Royal Mail redirection cost: from £45 for 3 months ·
USPS Mover’s Guide packet: free at local post office ·
Free mail redirection option: iammoving.com ·
An Post redirection: apply online or post office ·
USPS change of address online: requires $1.10 identity verification fee ·
Post Office change of address form: PS Form 3575 available at USPS

Here is a quick-reference table of the key costs and timing for each official service:

What is the fastest way to change your address with the post office?

Online change of address: USPS, Royal Mail, An Post

• USPS online change of address takes about 5–10 minutes to complete, and forwarding begins within 5 business days (The Letter Pilot guide).
• Royal Mail redirection can be set up online and usually starts within one working day after the application is accepted, though a full 5-day window is typical (Royal Mail help page).
• An Post mail redirection is available online for a fee and begins 5–7 days after submission (An Post Redirection page).

In-person vs. online speed comparison

• Visiting a USPS post office in person with PS Form 3575 can start forwarding immediately, while online takes up to 5 business days (The Letter Pilot).
• Royal Mail and An Post both require a processing period of 1–5 working days regardless of application method.

Free redirection alternatives (iammoving.com)

A third‑party option, iammoving.com, offers free mail redirection for up to 12 months, though it is not an official postal service and may have limited coverage. No official source was available for verification.

Bottom line: For raw speed, USPS in‑person wins. For a balance of speed and convenience, Royal Mail’s next‑day start (once accepted) is the fastest among the paid services.

How do I change my post to a new address?

USPS Standard Forward Mail & Change of Address

• Fill out PS Form 3575 in person at a post office (free) or complete the online process for a $1.10 identity‑verification fee. You’ll need acceptable photo ID (The Letter Pilot).
• USPS recommends filing at least 7–10 days before the move (The Letter Pilot).

Royal Mail Redirect service

• Apply online at royalmail.com by providing your old and new address, proof of identity, and proof of address. Choose a duration of 3, 6, or 12 months (Royal Mail Redirection details).
• Pricing starts at £45 for 3 months.

An Post Mail Redirection

• Complete a form at your local post office or online. Provide identification and proof of address. Service costs €20 for 6 months domestic redirection (An Post Redirection page).
• Redirection begins within 5–7 working days.

Documents required for each service

• USPS: acceptable photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.) and any supporting documents for identity verification.
• Royal Mail: proof of identity (passport or driving licence) and proof of address (utility bill, bank statement).
• An Post: valid photo ID and proof of new address (e.g., tenancy agreement, utility bill).

What this means: Each service requires similar documentation, but USPS is the only one that allows a completely free in‑person application.

How do I redirect my mail for free?

iammoving.com free redirection

iammoving.com provides a free mail redirection service for up to 12 months, according to its own marketing. No independent verification was available in the research notes.

Free USPS Mover’s Guide packet

The USPS offers a free Mover’s Guide packet at local post offices, but the actual change‑of‑address service itself costs $1.10 if done online—though in‑person filing remains free (The Letter Pilot).

Is An Post redirection free?

No. An Post mail redirection is a paid service; domestic redirection costs €20 for 6 months (An Post).

Royal Mail free redirection trials

Royal Mail does not offer any free redirection trial. Prices start at £45 for 3 months (Royal Mail).

Bottom line: Free redirection is limited. USPS in‑person is truly free, and third‑party services like iammoving.com may fill the gap—but verify coverage before relying on them.

How fast does a change of address take effect?

USPS processing time

• Online changes take effect within 5 business days after the identity‑verification fee is paid (The Letter Pilot).
• In‑person filing at a post office can start forwarding immediately for most mail classes.

Royal Mail activation time

Redirection usually begins within one working day after the application is accepted, though Royal Mail states “within 5 working days” as a standard (Royal Mail help page).

An Post start date

An Post redirection typically starts 5–7 days after the application is submitted and approved (An Post Redirection page).

Factors that may delay redirection

• Incomplete forms or incorrect address details.
• Peak periods (e.g., summer moves or holiday mail volume).
• For USPS, some marketing and periodical mail may not be forwarded after the forwarding period ends (The Letter Pilot).

The timeline below shows the typical lifecycle of a change‑of‑address request across the three services.

Bottom line: USPS online is reliable but has a 5‑day lag; Royal Mail can start within one working day if you apply early enough. An Post is the slowest, taking up to a week.

How much does the Post Office charge to redirect mail?

USPS change of address fees

USPS charges a $1.10 identity‑verification fee for online changes; in‑person filing at a post office using PS Form 3575 is free (The Letter Pilot).

Royal Mail redirection pricing

• 3 months: £45
• 6 months: £90
• 12 months: £180 (Royal Mail)

An Post mail redirection cost

• 6 months domestic: €20
• 12 months domestic: €35 (An Post)

Free vs paid options comparison table

Two services, one clear split: USPS in‑person is free; everything else has a fee. Here’s how they stack up:

The trade‑off: USPS is cheapest but only temporary for many mail classes. Royal Mail and An Post cost more but provide continuous redirection for the full paid period, covering all addressed mail.

Step‑by‑step: How to change your address with the post office

USPS step‑by‑step

1. Visit USPS change of address page or go to a local post office.
2. Complete PS Form 3575 online (pay $1.10) or fill out the paper form at the counter (free).
3. Provide acceptable photo ID (in person) or verify identity online with a credit card.
4. Choose start date and duration (permanent: up to 12 months; temporary: up to 6 months).
5. After 5 business days (online) or immediately (in person), mail begins forwarding.

Royal Mail step‑by‑step

1. Go to Royal Mail Redirection page.
2. Provide your old address, new address, and select 3, 6, or 12 months.
3. Upload proof of identity and proof of address.
4. Pay the fee (from £45).
5. Redirection typically starts within 1–5 working days.

An Post step‑by‑step

1. Visit An Post Redirection page or go to any post office.
2. Complete the redirection form online or in branch.
3. Provide photo ID and proof of new address.
4. Pay the fee (€20 for 6 months domestic).
5. Redirection begins 5–7 days after approval.

The implication: Choosing the right method depends on your location and timeline. USPS gives the cheapest free path, while Royal Mail and An Post require payment but cover all mail classes for the full period selected.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• USPS charges $1.10 for online change of address (identity verification fee).
• Royal Mail redirection costs start from £45 for 3 months.
• An Post redirection is available online and at post offices.

What’s unclear

• Exact start times may vary by region or postal volume.
• Whether USPS in‑person change is completely free (no official statement in inputs).
• An Post pricing for international redirection (not specified in inputs).
• Whether iammoving.com free redirection is reliable (no official source verified).

The pattern: Official postal services provide clear pricing and timelines for domestic redirection, but international options and unverified third-party services introduce uncertainty that requires additional research.

What the official services say

“Visit your local Post Office location with acceptable photo ID and any other required documents. Request a free Mover’s Guide packet. Fill out the PS Form 3575.”

– USPS official site

“You can redirect your mail to any UK or overseas address for 3, 6 or 12 months from just £45.00.”

– Royal Mail site

“Our Mail Redirection Service forwards your post to your new address, domestic or abroad. Apply at your local post office or online.”

– An Post site

Each official service is upfront about costs and requirements. The consistent theme: you pay for the convenience of having the postal service handle forwarding for you.

Summary

Changing your address through the official post office is straightforward once you know which service fits your move. USPS offers the cheapest option (free in person, $1.10 online) but only forwards most mail for a limited time. Royal Mail and An Post charge higher fees but provide continuous redirection for the full period you select. For US residents, the fastest and cheapest route is a visit to the post office with PS Form 3575. For UK and Ireland movers, the choice is between paying for three, six, or twelve months of peace of mind—or relying on a free third‑party service whose reliability is unverified. For anyone moving on a tight timeline, the message is clear: submit your request at least a week before you move, or pay the price for expedited processing.

For those moving within the United States, understanding the USPS change of address process can help you avoid common pitfalls and fees.

Frequently asked questions