Has your mail ever been forwarded to somewhere you didn’t want it to be?

We get calls all the time asking us to update a change of address or change where mail is being delivered.  Unfortunately, we cannot edit the USPS’s Move database but we can point you in the right direction.  Often it is a case where a child has moved to college or a retired person has returned north from the south for the winter (we call them snow birds in Florida) and now needs to get their mail delivered up north again.  There are three ways to fix this but the most important thing you can do to stop this from happening is to file the move correctly the first time at https://moversguide.usps.com and then save your confirmation code that is either mailed or emailed to you depending on how you filed it.

There are three types of moves that you can file: family, individual or business.  If you file a family move all mail with the surname will be forwarded to the new address.  If you file an individual move mail matching the first and surname will only be forwarded.  Companies are required to check their mailing list through the national change of address (NCOA) prior to mailing to qualify for postal discounts and often these files are updated week or every 95 days depending on the mailer.  FreeNCOA.com provides low cost NCOA processing for companies to update their databases and minimize cost associated in incorrectly address mail.  NCOALink processing is provided by a non-exclusive licensee of the United States Postal Service and we have to follow specific guidelines and do not have access to update the database.

The most common mistake we see is an individual files a Family move instead of an Individual move and all of the mail is then being forwarded to the individual instead of just their mail.  To fix by modifying, canceling or changing the forwarding address you can do one of the following three things:

• Website: https://managemymove.usps.com (must have confirmation number)
• Or Call 1800-275-8777 (must have confirmation number)
• Or Go to your local Post Office:
  • Explain that you need to modify or cancel a change of address. That you do not have a confirmation code.
  • The Post Office clerk will fill out PS Form 3546 on your behalf to modify/cancel your request

We hope this helps and please remember to save that confirmation number so that you can easily update your move in the future.

The FreeNCOA Processing Team

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