# I want to forward mail to a friend's address, do I have to notify PO?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-forward-mail-to-a-friends-address-do-i-have-to-notify-po/604987>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 3, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-forward-mail-to-a-friends-address-do-i-have-to-notify-po/604987 "2011-12-03T23:23:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Diamonds02](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-forward-mail-to-a-friends-address-do-i-have-to-notify-po/604987/1 "2011-12-03T23:23:06Z")

</div>

This is a temprorary thing, I’m not changing permanent address. Also, I’ve had mail successfully forwarded to this address in the past. However, I’m going to have mail being sent from dozens of people this time. I’m not sure if that makes a difference.

I cannot notify the PO because it’s the weekend. I will be marking down this alternate address tonight.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-forward-mail-to-a-friends-address-do-i-have-to-notify-po/604987/2 "2011-12-03T23:27:57Z")

</div>

I do these sorts of things online. Assuming you are in the US the link is:  
[https://moversguide.usps.com/icoa/icoa-main-flow.do?execution=e3s2](https://moversguide.usps.com/icoa/icoa-main-flow.do?execution=e3s2)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-forward-mail-to-a-friends-address-do-i-have-to-notify-po/604987/3 "2011-12-04T01:25:36Z")

</div>

I’m trying to figure out how you’d forward mail to an address without notifying the Post Office.

I mean, you could tell everyone “hey, send me mail at this other address instead” but that would miss the random stuff you don’t know you’re going to be receiving.

Temporary forwarding orders can be done for up to 6 months. If you need it for longer, fill out another one - or put in a change of address, then another change of address when you want to change it back. Change of address orders are good for a year; you can file another one at the end of the year if you think you might still be missing some correspondents at that time. (Side note: Change of address is good for the short term, but if you’re permanently moving, you should really take the time to contact everyone who’s sending you this forwarded-along mail to give them your new address.)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-forward-mail-to-a-friends-address-do-i-have-to-notify-po/604987/4 "2011-12-04T04:07:06Z")

</div>

You can do it online through the Post Office website. If you’re going to do it for less than 30 days, you might consider a vacation hold and pick up the mail at the PO when you’re ready. The forwarding you can do up to 6 months, with an option to spread it out to 1 year.

> **[Receive Mail & Packages | USPS](https://www.usps.com/manage/manage-your-mail.htm)**
>
> Track USPS package deliveries, get tracking text and email notifications, forward mail, change your address, and learn about setting up PO boxes or home mailboxes.