Temporary Mail Forwarding: How Long Can You Forward Mail?

If you’re staying away from home for an extended but non-permanent period of time, like for a work trip or a stay with relatives, temporary mail forwarding can be a short-term way to assure that your mail service goes uninterrupted and that your letters and packages are safe and secure.

Here are some things to know when it comes to temporary United States Postal Service mail forwarding services, including how to set it up and for how long it’s valid.

So What’s Temporary Mail Forwarding, Anyway?

Temporary mail forwarding allows you to continue receiving certain kinds of mail on a short-term basis while you’re away from your primary address. You can file for temporary mail forwarding by filling out the United States Postal Service Change-of-Address Form.

If you don’t want to receive your mail while you’re not in your primary residence, apply for the USPS Hold Mail Service instead. This’ll help you avoid an overflowing mailbox when you return home. USPS will hold your mail at your local post office for up to 30 days.

Which Types of Mail Can Be Forwarded?

Standard mail forwarding is the easiest and most economical forwarding service USPS offers.

First-class mail, which includes magazines and periodicals, can be forwarded for free.

Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage items are also forwarded at zero costs.

Forwarding Media Mail like books, CDs & DVDs, and printed music is also allowed, but your local post office will charge a fee.

Marketing mail, like advertisements or junk mail, isn’t included in the USPS mail forwarding service.

Temporary Forwarding of Packages

If you want to forward packages temporarily, look into the USPS Premium Forwarding Service. This service includes forwarding USPS Ground Advantage or packages up to 70 pounds.

With this service, the post office will deliver your mail or packages weekly or according to the scheduled delivery frequency.

How Does Temporary USPS Mail Forwarding Work?

When you visit your local post office and request mail forwarding, the post office will then catch priority mail that’s meant for your primary address and prevent your mail carrier from delivering it there.

Once your mail is received at the post office, a sticker with your temporary address will be added to forward it to your secondary address.

When you apply for a temporary change of address or mail forwarding service, USPS can send your mail from your old address to the new one for 15 days up to one year.

How Much Does Temporary Mail Forwarding Cost and How Long Can You Forward Mail?

How Much Does Temporary USPS Mail Forwarding Service Cost?

If you sign up online to forward mail temporarily, you’ll pay $1.10. If you sign up in person at your local post office, you don’t have to pay a request fee.

Standard mail forwarding is free for up to one year. For Media Mail, however, you will pay the cost for shipping from your local Post Office to your temporary address.

Premium Forwarding Services have a one-time enrollment fee, paid when you apply, which is $23.40 for online applications or $25.45 at the post office. After that, you must pay a weekly delivery fee of $25.45 to continue receiving your mail and packages.

How Long Can You Forward Mail Temporarily?

The initial request for temporary mail forwarding is valid for up to a year.

Can You Extend Mail Forwarding?

If you’re still on the move after one year, you can pay to set up an extended mail forwarding service. You can continue to have your mail forwarded for up to 18 months. The fees for extended mail forwarding service are as follows:

$19.95 for six months

$29.95 for 12 months

$39.95 for 18 months

If you initially sign up for six or 12 months of extended mail forwarding, you can add one or two more 6-month extensions for $19.95 each.

What if You Change Your Mind about Forwarding Mail?

You can cancel your temporary mail forwarding request online if your plans change. To do so, log into your USPS account and enter the confirmation code from your original mail forwarding order.

It may take up to 72 hours to complete your request, so jump on it early to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Proceed cautiously here. If you request extended mail forwarding, you won’t be able to cancel it or ask for a refund if you change your mind later.

What Happens When The Temporary Mail Forwarding Period Ends?

When your temporary mail forwarding period ends, USPS will return your mail to the sender for 6 months. The returned mail will come with a label of your new address. The sender will have the option to resend the mail to this new location.

How to Submit a Temporary USPS Mail Forwarding Request

Follow the steps below to file for temporary USPS mail forwarding:

Apply to Forward Mail Online

Fill out the USPS Change of Address Form. For the following question, answer YES. If you answer NO, USPS will classify your change-of-address application as permanent.

Are you planning on returning to your old address in six months or less?

Verify your identity. You can choose to receive a verification code or a link on your mobile phone.

Pay the $1.10 verification fee.

Wait for the email with the confirmation code from USPS. Use this code to modify or cancel your request.

Apply In Person to Forward Your Mail

Go to your local post office. Bring an acceptable photo ID like a government ID or passport.

Ask for a free Mover’s Guide packet.

Fill out the USPS Form 3575 inside the packet. Submit it and your photo ID to the post office personnel.

Once your request is processed, a welcome kit with coupons from USPS partners will arrive at your new address. Mail will be rerouted to your new address piece by piece.

Common Reasons People Use Temporary Mail Forwarding

Temporary forwarding isn’t just for vacations. Many people find themselves in situations where keeping mail moving smoothly is essential. By setting up forwarding, you can avoid missed bills, lost documents, or sensitive mail piling up at an unattended address.

Here are the most common scenarios where forwarding comes in handy:

Extended Travel – Whether it’s a long vacation, work trip, or deployment, forwarding makes sure important mail follows you.
Seasonal Living – Snowbirds or retirees who split their time between states often use temporary forwarding for seamless transitions.
Students – College students living away from home during the school year may want mail sent to dorms or apartments.
Family Care – If you’re staying with relatives for caregiving, forwarding keeps your personal mail within reach.
Short-Term Relocations – Temporary work assignments or training programs often require forwarding to a second residence.

No matter the reason, temporary mail forwarding offers peace of mind by keeping your personal and financial correspondence secure while you’re away.

Benefits and Limitations of USPS Temporary Forwarding

Like many services, USPS mail forwarding has both upsides and drawbacks. Knowing them ahead of time can help you decide if it’s the best option for your situation—or if alternatives like a virtual mailbox may serve you better.

Benefits:

Keeps your mail safe and secure while you’re away.
Prevents overflowing mailboxes that can signal an empty home.
Affordable—basic forwarding is free for First-Class and Priority Mail.
Flexible terms, from 15 days to 12 months, with extension options.

Limitations:

Some mail, like marketing flyers or certain bulk mail, won’t be forwarded.
Forwarding can sometimes delay delivery since it adds an extra step in routing.
Package forwarding is limited unless you pay for Premium Forwarding.
Cancelling extended forwarding isn’t refundable, so you need to plan carefully.

This balance of pros and cons makes it important to weigh USPS forwarding against newer digital alternatives.

Tips for Managing Forwarded Mail Smoothly

Setting up forwarding is only the first step—you’ll also want to keep your mail organized and avoid disruptions. A little preparation can make the process much smoother.

Here are a few helpful tips:

Notify Key Contacts – Banks, credit card companies, and service providers should have your temporary address to avoid lost statements or late fees.
Keep Track of Dates – Mark when your forwarding starts and ends, so you don’t miss important deliveries.
Monitor Online Accounts – Many companies offer digital billing or account notices—sign up to reduce reliance on physical mail.
Plan for Packages – If you expect large shipments, consider Premium Forwarding or a virtual mailbox, which can securely store or redirect packages.
Check In Regularly – Even with forwarding, visit your primary address if possible to ensure no critical mail slipped through.

Being proactive reduces the risk of misplaced documents and helps you stay on top of your personal or business responsibilities.

Choosing Between Temporary Forwarding and a Virtual Mailbox

While USPS temporary forwarding is useful, it isn’t always the most flexible solution. Virtual mailboxes have become a popular alternative because they offer more control and accessibility.

Temporary Forwarding works best if you’ll only be away for a short period and still want physical mail delivered to a secondary address. It’s budget-friendly but limited.
Virtual Mailboxes are ideal for frequent travelers, digital nomads, and business owners. You get a permanent address, instant digital access to your mail, and the ability to forward, scan, or shred items with a few clicks.

In short:

Use temporary forwarding for short absences or transitional living.
Use a virtual mailbox if you want ongoing flexibility, security, and convenience.

Both services serve different needs—but in today’s digital-first world, more people are finding that virtual mailboxes fit their lifestyle better.

A Modern Alternative to Temporary Mail Forwarding

Like most things in life, mail forwarding with the United States Postal Service has some upsides and downsides. Thankfully, it’s not the only option.

A modern and convenient way to solve the mail forwarding challenge is by using a virtual mailbox. A virtual mailbox allows you to:

Choose a real physical address that receives your mail and packages while giving you the freedom to manage your mail from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, no matter where you are.

Request virtual mail forwarding through the app, and accomplish other mail management tasks like open and scan, shred, recycle, and schedule for pickup with just the touch of a button.

Rest easy knowing that your packages are in good hands and will await you when you’re ready.

To see how a virtual mailbox can make your life easier and more secure, check out Anytime Mailbox to learn about plans, features, and locations.

There are apps for everything now, from ride-sharing to grocery delivery, to everything and anything in between.

And yes, there’s one for managing your postal mail remotely, too. Welcome aboard.