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Memo: USPS COA Update

Memorandum 

TO: State and Local Election Officials 

FROM: U.S. Election Assistance Commission 

DATE: February 2024

RE: Update to United States Postal Service Change of Address Process

Millions of Americans move each year, and many utilize the mail forwarding provided by the United States 

Postal Service (USPS). Many state or territorial election offices subscribe to National Change of Address (NCOA) 

data to keep voters’ address information current, often passing address update information to local election 

offices for processing. In the 2022 Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS), 67.9% of states indicated 

that they use NCOA reports to identify voters who may have moved.

As of May 31, 2023, the USPS now requires all customers using their change of address service to provide proof 

of identity, whether online or in-person. This change, intended to protect customer information and safeguard 

against identity fraud, may require those using mail forwarding services to complete additional steps for identity 

verification if the USPS cannot verify their identity automatically. Given the widespread use of NCOA data to 

inform voter file list maintenance, election administrators should be aware of the requirement and its potential 

impact on an important data source. Impacts to NCOA data volume are unknown at this time, but some election 

officials may experience a reduction in the quantity of NCOA data due to the new change of address 

requirements. However, election officials can expect the quality of NCOA data to improve with this change since 

identity verification will decrease the possibility of fraudulent transactions.

While most voters will still be able to use the USPS’ change of address service, those unable to provide identity 

verification will no longer be eligible. Consider the following additional best practices to keep voters’ address 

information current:

• Utilize all available sources to update voter addresses allowable by law

State law may authorize the use of various sources to update voter lists, such as motor vehicle records, 

death records from health departments, vital statistics, or the Social Security Administration, specific 

disqualifying criminal convictions from state or federal courts, online registration updates, third party 

commercial data, and notices from other election officials. 

• Provide your local post office(s) with voter registration forms

Post offices are allowed to display voter registration and absentee ballot request forms in the lobby area 

of retail facilities if space allows.

• Remind voters about address updates in voter-facing materials

Include information about the need for address updates in voter mailings or other communications. 

Annual events like birthdays or holidays provide an ideal opportunity to target voters who may have 

moved in the past year.
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Memo: USPS COA Update

• Utilize the USPS’ Address Correction Service (ACS)

ACS is a paid service that provides information on undeliverable mail in an electronic format, including 

address updates and/or the reason mail could not be delivered.

• Regularly review incoming data to check for unexpected changes

Reviewing incoming data from third party data providers for unexpected changes in the volume or type 

of data received can help identify service interruptions or other issues. 

Per USPS, there are two ways to change an address: Online or In Person

Online In Person

Change of address requests can be submitted online 

at: https://moversguide.usps.com/ 

To improve online security and mitigate potential fraud, a 

multi-factor process for online Change of Address requests is 

required:

1. A mobile phone number verification may be required, 

and a One-Time-Passcode or verification link will be 

texted to your cell phone.

2. A $1.10 credit card identity verification fee will be 

charged to your credit card. The billing address on the 

credit card must match either the old or the new 

address used in the COA request. Prepaid cards and 

gift cards are not accepted.

If online identity verification is not successful, you will be 

directed to eligible Post OfficeTM locations able to verify your 

identity in person.

An email address is required for online COA submission. 

Military addresses are eligible; if you are moving from a 

military address, your email address must end in .gov, .mil, or 

.edu.

Military customers moving from an APO/FPO/DPO should work

with military officials to change their address and assist with 

mail forwarding. 

International addresses (moving to an international address) 

are not eligible for an online change of address. Please visit a 

Post Office to request a change of address to an international 

address.

Online changes of address may not be possible for persons 

acting as authorized agents for minor children, those unable to 

act for themselves and deceased persons. You may have to 

submit the change of address in person and provide 

documentation

If your online identity verification was not successful, 

or if you do not wish to complete a change of address 

online, you may complete a change of address in 

person at a Post Office.

Online Identity Verification Failure:

You will receive an email with instructions and a 

barcode to verify your identity in person at a Post 

Office. See below for required identification.

At a Post Office:

Request a change of address form from a Retail clerk 

at a Post Office. Please bring one of the following 

photo identifications with you that is current and 

unexpired:

• State issued driver's license or non-driver's 

license identification card (name and 

address must match the old or new 

address on your request)

• Uniformed Services Identification Card 

(requires a secondary form of identification)

• U.S. Passport (requires a secondary form of 

identification)

Secondary Forms of Identification:

It is recommended that you bring a secondary form of 

identification with you, such as:

• Lease, mortgage or deed of trust

• Voter or vehicle registration card

• Home or vehicle insurance policy or card

The name and address on any secondary identification 

must match the old or new address on your change of 

address request.

Source: United States Postal Service: https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Change-of-Address-The-Basics
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Memo: USPS COA Update

Additional Resources

• Best practices and further guidance on voter list maintenance can be found here: 

https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/VoterList/Best_Practices_Voter_List_Maintena

nce_V1_508.pdf

• Additional information about the Change of Address program, including ID verification, is available on 

the USPS website here: https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Change-of-Address-The-Basics

• More general information about Election Mail can be found here: 

https://about.usps.com/what/government-services/election-mail/

• Contact information for your regional USPS election mail representative can be found here: 

https://about.usps.com/what/government-services/election-mail/welcome.htm#resources