How to Change Your Mailing Address After Moving: A Complete Guide

If you need to receive mail at your new address after moving, the first step is to check the mail forwarding service. This service allows mail to be forwarded to your new address when the recipient's address changes. You can apply at the post office, online, or at your local community center when registering your move. However, the fees and requirements vary depending on whether you are applying as an individual or an organization, if your old and new addresses are in the same area, and if you wish to extend the service beyond the initial period.

Conditions to Check Before Applying

• Confirm whether the recipient's address has changed and if mail needs to be forwarded to the new address. If mail forwarding is necessary due to an address change, you can apply at the post office, online, or at your local community center when registering your move.
• Determine whether the application is being made as an individual or an organization. Organizations include corporations and businesses. If an institution, corporation, or organization applies, they cannot receive personal mail that is not addressed to the institution, corporation, or organization.
• Check if your old and new addresses are in the same area or different areas. The official areas are categorized as Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan, Sejong, Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon Province, North Chungcheong Province, South Chungcheong Province, North Jeolla Province, South Jeolla Province, North Gyeongsang Province, South Gyeongsang Province, and Jeju.
• Decide whether to use the forwarding service for the basic period of three months or to extend it afterward. If you wish to extend for more than three months, you must apply for the extension at the post office or online.

Mail Forwarding Service Fees

The fees are categorized based on the applicant type, the area of the old and new addresses, and the duration of use, as outlined in the official fee table. The same area refers to moving within the same region, while different areas refer to moving to a different region.

Check the 'within 3 months' and '3-month extension' categories along with the applicant type and area in the table. Individuals and organizations in the same area are informed that the fee for up to three months is free, but the amounts differ based on whether an extension is requested or if the mail is forwarded to a different area. If you plan to extend the service for more than three months, you must apply at the post office or online, so it’s advisable to decide on the need for an extension when you first apply.

Application Process and Required Documents

When using the post office, you need to fill out the mail forwarding application form. If applying online, visit the online post office (www.epost.go.kr) and verify your identity through a certified authentication process. You can also apply at your local community center when registering your move.

1. Prepare identification documents for the applicant. Examples include a resident registration card, driver's license, or passport.
2. Prepare documents proving your move. Individuals can provide a resident registration certificate, while organizations may need a business registration certificate or corporate registration document. Government entities can provide official documents.
3. If a representative is applying, they must also prepare documents proving the delegation, in addition to the moving proof documents. Examples include a power of attorney, a personal seal certificate, or a corporate seal certificate.
4. Fill out the mail forwarding application form at the post office. If applying online, go through the identity verification process before submitting your application.

Service Duration and Extension Confirmation

The mail forwarding service is provided for three months from the start date for those who have moved. If you do not apply for an extension by three days before the service ends, mail will be returned to the sender starting the day after the three-month period ends. Therefore, if you need continued forwarding, you must apply for an extension by three days before the end date. If you do not plan to extend, you should inform the sender of your new address in advance.

Extension applications for more than three months must be made at the post office or online. Unlike the application at the community center, the official guidance for extensions specifies the post office or online post office, so be sure to check the appropriate route when extending the period.

Common Exceptions to Remember After Applying

If the application is made under the name of an institution, corporation, or organization, the name determines the scope of applicability. Personal mail not addressed to the institution, corporation, or organization cannot receive this forwarding service, so do not assume that all personal mail will be forwarded when applying as an organization.

If litigation is ongoing, applying for the mail forwarding service does not replace the need to notify the court of the changed delivery location. According to Article 185, Paragraph 1 of the Civil Procedure Act, you must separately notify the court of the changed delivery location.

If you pay the fee with a credit or debit card and later withdraw your application for the move, you must bring that card with you. If there is a possibility of withdrawal, check the conditions regarding the card used for payment.

Final Checklist Before Applying

• Confirm whether you need to receive mail at your new address due to the address change.
• Decide on the application route: post office, online post office, or local community center during the move registration.
• Determine if you are applying as an individual or as an organization (corporation/business).
• Check if your old and new addresses are in the same area or different areas and review the applicable fees.
• Decide if you will need forwarding after the initial three months and prepare to apply for an extension by three days before the end date if necessary.
• If applying at the post office, prepare identification and moving proof documents, and check for delegation documents if applying on behalf of someone else.
• If litigation is ongoing, confirm whether you need to separately notify the court of the changed delivery location.
• If you paid the fee with a card, remember to bring that card when withdrawing your application.

Korea Post | Business Areas | Mail | Domestic Mail | User Guide | Address Change Notification System