Key Takeaways:
- You can forward a deceased person’s mail by submitting a change of mailing location request at the post office with proper documentation.
- Only legal representatives can request USPS mail forwarding for a deceased person.
- Stopping mail and removing the deceased from mailing lists helps protect against identity theft.
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When a loved one passes away, there are countless responsibilities to take care of. Some are expected, others not. One often-overlooked task is managing their mail. While it may seem minor, forwarding mail after death is key for protecting the deceased's identity and handling their legal affairs. Letting mail pile up or go to an old location can lead to missed bills, sensitive information exposure, and identity theft.
In this guide, we walk you through everything you need to know about forwarding mail for a deceased person, including how to submit a USPS change of mailing location, stop junk mail, and notify the post office of a death.
Why Forwarding Mail After Death Matters
Taking the time to set up USPS mail forwarding for a deceased person offers several important benefits:
- Prevents identity theft and fraud
Unattended mail can be a goldmine for criminals. Stopping or forwarding a deceased person’s mail protects their personal information. - Makes sure important documents reach you
Mail related to taxes, insurance, bank accounts, and legal matters often continues to arrive. Forwarding mail helps the executor stay informed. - Keeps estate management organized
During probate, having all the deceased’s mail come to one location helps with timely decision-making and recordkeeping.
Who Can Forward Mail of a Deceased Person?
Not everyone can request USPS mail forwarding for a deceased person. Only individuals with legal authority are allowed to do so:
- Executor or administrator of the estate
If you're named in the will or appointed by the court, you can forward the deceased's mail. - Immediate family members
Whether close family can request forwarding depends on the local post office. Some branches accept a certified death certificate and documentation of the relationship, while others require court-issued proof of authority, so many families call the branch first. - Power of Attorney is no longer valid
It’s important to know that power of attorney ends at death. You cannot forward mail using POA documentation.
What documents show legal authority
Letters testamentary are issued by a court when a will names an executor. Letters of administration are issued when there is no will and the court appoints someone to manage the estate. Either document typically serves as proof of authority at the post office.
Requirements can vary by branch, so many executors call the local post office ahead of time to confirm which documents that location accepts.
How to Submit a USPS Change of Mailing Location for a Deceased Person
Unfortunately, forwarding mail for a deceased individual cannot be done online. Here’s what you need to do:
- Visit your local post office in person
Tell the clerk you need to forward mail for someone who has died. This service is not available online or over the phone. - Complete PS Form 3575
This is the standard mail forwarding USPS form. Indicate the request is for a deceased person. - Bring required documentation:
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Your government-issued photo ID
- Proof of authority (e.g., court order naming you executor or administrator)
Make sure to use the "change of mailing location post office" process for deceased mail forwarding.
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visit your local post office in person | Cannot be done online or by phone |
| 2 | Complete PS Form 3575 | Standard mail forwarding form; mark as deceased |
| 3 | Bring a certified death certificate | Required documentation for the request |
| 4 | Bring your government-issued photo ID | Confirms your identity |
| 5 | Bring proof of authority | Court order naming you executor or administrator |
| 6 | Mail forwards for up to 12 months | Gives time to settle the estate and notify senders |
USPS Death Change of Mailing Location: What Happens Next
Once you've submitted the change of mailing location post office form:
- Mail will be forwarded for up to 12 months
This gives you time to settle the estate and notify relevant organizations. - You’ll begin receiving the deceased’s mail
At the location you specified on the form. - You must still notify individual senders
Banks, government agencies, insurers, and others won’t automatically know the location has changed. Be proactive in updating records.
What kinds of mail keep arriving
Mail from banks, insurers, government agencies, and medical providers is typically the most important to watch for, since it often carries due dates or account details. Marketing mail and magazine subscriptions can follow different forwarding rules, so some of it may stop arriving while some continues until the sender updates its records.
How to keep track of forwarded mail
Many executors keep a simple log of each piece of mail that arrives, noting the sender, the date, and whether a response is needed. Bills, tax notices, and insurance statements are usually sorted first because they carry deadlines.
Because forwarding runs for up to 12 months, the log also shows which senders have updated their records and which are still using the old mailing location. That list becomes the starting point for contacting each sender directly.
How to Stop Mail for a Deceased Person Permanently
If you don’t want to receive any of the deceased person’s mail, or want to stop junk mail, follow these steps:
- Mark unwanted mail “Deceased. Return to Sender”
This lets the sender know the recipient has passed away. Over time, this reduces mail volume. - Visit DMAchoice.org
Register the deceased’s name to stop marketing and junk mail. This is the most effective way to remove them from mailing lists. - Contact frequent senders directly
Call or write to banks, utility companies, or subscription services. Ask them to update their records. - Report persistent mail issues
If you continue receiving large amounts of unwanted mail or suspect mail fraud, contact the USPS Mail Inspection Service for help.
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Why This Matters More Than Ever in 2026
Identity theft reports filed with the Federal Trade Commission reached over 6.4 million in 2023 — a nearly 85% increase over the prior decade, according to FTC data. Deceased individuals are a particular target: their Social Security numbers remain valid in many databases for months after death, and their mail often goes unmonitored. Criminals exploit that window to open new accounts, file fraudulent tax returns, or redirect financial correspondence before families have had a chance to act.
How prompt mail forwarding reduces fraud risk
Forwarding or stopping mail promptly, and removing the deceased from mailing lists, closes one of the most accessible entry points for this kind of fraud. The steps in this guide are the same as they've always been, but the urgency behind them has grown.
Which types of mail carry the most risk
Pre-approved credit card and loan offers, bank and brokerage statements, tax documents, and insurance correspondence carry the account numbers and personal details that identity thieves look for. A pre-approved offer sent to a home no one is checking can be completed in the deceased person's name, and a single statement can supply enough information to impersonate the account holder.
Families who also notify the credit bureaus of the death add another safeguard, since new credit applications in the person's name are then more likely to be flagged.
FAQs
1. How do I notify the post office of a death?
Visit your local post office with a death certificate, your ID, and legal proof of authority. Ask to submit a change of mailing location for a deceased individual.
2. Can I change a deceased person’s mailing location online?
No. USPS requires in-person submission for deceased mail forwarding.
3. How do I forward mail for a deceased parent or spouse?
If you are the legal executor or administrator, bring documentation and follow the USPS process at your local post office.
4. How do I stop junk mail for a deceased person?
Use DMAchoice.org and mark mail as “Deceased. Return to Sender.” Notify frequent senders directly.
5. What if someone is fraudulently forwarding a deceased person’s mail?
Report suspected mail fraud to the USPS Inspection Service immediately.
Forwarding mail for a deceased person may seem like a small task, but it's a critical step in managing an estate and protecting your loved one’s identity. By submitting a USPS change of mailing location for a deceased individual, you make sure that important information reaches the right hands, and that potential scammers don’t take advantage. With proper documentation and a short trip to the post office, you can redirect mail and give yourself peace of mind during a difficult time.
Need help handling the many moving parts of estate settlement? Visit Elayne’s automated estate settlement service to simplify the process and stay organized through every step.
*Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal, medical, financial, or tax advice. Please consult with a licensed professional to help with your specific situation.
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