USPS has quietly updated its change address policy, which could be the reason why many Americans are still waiting for their packages to arrive.
United States Post Office signage is displayed during a job fair hiring new postal workers and mail carrier assistants at a United States Postal Service (USPS) post office on July 18, 2022 in Inglewood, California.
If you just moved into a new residence and followed the older USPS change address policy, there's a chance that the U.S. Postal Service hasn't accepted your request.
Here's what you need to do and how the new USPS change address policy works.
USPS Quietly Releases New Change Address Policy
Yahoo News reported that the U.S. Postal Service rolled out a new change address policy. However, many Americans were not able to receive a notification or email message regarding the adjustment.
James McKean, a USPS senior public relations representative, explained that if customers are not able to follow the requirements for the new change address policy, their address adjustment request will not be approved.
Once this happens, their package will likely go to their old residence or the USPS could keep their package until they can follow the new change address guideline.
Previously, USPS customers only needed to submit a "change of address" form to the nearest post office or send the document online.
This is still the case for the new USPS change address policy but with extra steps. Now, the U.S. Postal Service requires customers to verify their identity using their ID and the QR code that the company will send to their emails.
"Today a customer that submits a 'change of address' request must have their identity verified," said McKean via Fox Business.
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About New USPS Change Address Policy
The United States Postal Service logo is seen on a new electric postal vehicle during an event announcing the Postal Service's plan on implementing electric vehicles, at the Postal Service Headquarters on December 20, 2022 in Washington, DC. The U.S. Postal Service announced it intends to deploy over 66,000 electric vehicles by 2028.
The official USPS website provides all the steps you need to follow to ensure that your address will be updated:
- Visit the official USPS Change of Address page and complete the form.
- To verify your identity, you need to opt in online to receive a verification code or link on your smartphone.
- After that, pay the $1.10 identity verification fee. Make sure that the billing address is the same as your older or new address.
- USPS will send you an email confirmation code once the identity verification is accepted.
If you are going to change your address via a physical USPS office, here are the steps you need to follow:
- Bring an acceptable photo ID and other required documents before visiting the nearest Post Office.
- Ask for a free Mover's Guide packet.
- After that, complete the PS Form 3575 and give it to the retail associate.
- Provide them with your ID so they can verify your identity and process the address change.
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