How to Forward Mail

Co-authored by Hunter Rising

Last Updated: November 29, 2022 References

If you're moving, going away for a short amount of time, accidentally received the wrong mail, or want to share an email, forwarding will help everything get to the correct location. Forwarding mail from the post office is an easy process that only requires filling out a form. Email forwarding can be set up with just the click of a button. No matter what kind of mail you need to forward, you can easily make sure it gets to its proper destination!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Setting up a Forwarding Address

1
Request a change of address from your local post office. You can either go into your local post office and request the form or visit the post office's website. Even if you only need to temporarily forward your mail, you need to fill out all of the necessary change of address information. Provide 2 forms of identification if you go into the USPS to fill out the form. When you finish the form, submit it online or to one of the post office workers.^{[1]
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- The online change of address form from the USPS requires a $1 USD payment with a credit or debit card as a proof of identity.
- You can apply for a change of address in the US here: https://moversguide.usps.com/mgo/disclaimer.
2
Choose the amount of time you want your mail to be forwarded. Look at your change of address form for the mail forwarding duration that you need. You can choose anywhere between 15 days up to 12 months. Choose the appropriate amount of time that you need your mail forwarded.^{[2]
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- After the forwarding ends, you may extend your forwarding service for another 6 months by filling out and submitting the change of address form again.
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3
Get a premium forwarding service if you only want all of your mail in a weekly package. The premium forwarding service from the United States Postal Service collects your mail and sends a weekly package.^{[3]
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Research source} You may sign up for the service online for an $18.45 USD enrollment fee with $20.10 USD weekly payments. Fill out the form completely and submit it online.^{[4]
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- The premium service can be used for a minimum of 2 weeks or up to 1 year.
- Priority mail sent to you is automatically forwarded so you don't have to wait.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Resending Other People's Mail

1
Cross of the old address with a black permanent marker. Use a thick black marker to completely cover the address written on the envelope or package. That way, it won't be delivered to your address again.^{[5]
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- Do not cross out the name of the person that the mail is addressed to.
2
Put the new address underneath the old one if you know it. Use a black marker and write in large block letters. Put the phrase “Forward to:” above the name on the envelope first, and then write the address. Keep your writing neat and legible so your mail carrier can read it.^{[6]
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- Do not change the name or return address in the upper left corner of the piece of mail.
- If you know the recipient but not their new address, call them ahead of time to ask them about their current address.
3
Write “Moved-Return to Sender” if you don't know the person's address. If you're not sure who the recipient is or if you don't know their new address, use big block letters above the person's name to write the phrase. That way, the person who sent the mail will get it back so they can ask the recipient for their new address.^{[7]
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- This also works well to get rid of unwanted junk mail. Instead of “Moved,” write “Refused” on the mail instead.
4
Take the mail to the post office or put it in a mailbox. Drop the mail off at a post office so they can verify it goes to the correct location and check if the stamps are still valid. If you want a hands-off approach, put the mail back in your mailbox so your mail carrier will take it the next day.^{[8]
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- You can locate official USPS drop boxes here: https://www.mailboxmap.com/.
5
Get in touch with the person you're forwarding mail to if you know them. If you know the recipient, give them a call or send them a message that you received their mail. Tell them that you gave them their new address so they should expect the mail soon. If they do not receive it within 2 weeks, call your post office to inquire about the mail.^{[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Forwarding Emails

1
Go to your email settings and click on the Forwarding option to send your mail to another address. Look for the Settings option along the top of your inbox. It will either be listed as Settings along the menu or appear as a gear-shaped icon that you can click on. Once you access the settings, look for the option that says Forwarding and click on it.^{[10]
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- Many times, the settings option will be listed in the top right corner.
2
Type in the email address you want your messages forwarded to. Click on the option to add a forwarding address. Put in another email address that you own that you want your emails to get forwarded to. If you only want specific types of mail sent to you, you can create a filter to get rid of spam messages.^{[11]
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- You can set up mail to forward to multiple addresses if you only want to receive specific types of mail on each account.
3
Send a test email to make sure the message forwards. When you're finished, send an email to yourself or ask a friend to send an email to you. Make sure the email goes into the inbox on the second account to confirm it works.^{[12]
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- Check the inbox of the email you're forwarding occasionally just in case a message doesn't forward to the new account.
4
Click the Forward option on a message if you only want to share a single email. Look along the top bar of icons above the message you want to forward. Look for the symbol of an envelope with an arrow pointing to the right. Click the button and type your own message above the forwarded message.^{[13]
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- If you're forwarding mail from your phone, long tap on the message until the pop-up menu appears. Click the Forward option to send the email.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I forward someone else’s mail?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If you get mail sent to the wrong address and you know the correct address for the recipient, cross out the old address and write the correct one on the envelope. Put the mail back in the box for your mail delivery person. If you get mail addressed to someone else and you don’t know the correct address, or if the mail was delivered to a different address from the one written on the envelope, contact the postal service or put the mail back in the box with a note for your postal delivery person.
Question

Can I throw away mail not addressed to me?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

In the U.S., it’s against the law to destroy or get rid of mail that’s not addressed to you. Instead of throwing it away, write a note for your mail carrier on the envelope (such as “return to sender” or “no longer at this address”) and put it back in your mailbox.
Question

How do I stop mail from going to my old address?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Fill out a Change of Address form with your post office so that they will know to forward mail to your new address. This usually only works for a few months, so you’ll also need to update your address with people and organizations that contact you regularly by mail.