What to do if…
you receive an urgent official request to update your address and are unsure if it is real

What to do now

1. Capture the essentials without responding yet: write down the sender name, reference or case number, what they want, the old and new addresses involved, and any stated deadline.

2. Sort the request into the most likely bucket:

   • Mail forwarding or moving: this may be USPS-related.
   • Driver license or vehicle registration: this is usually handled by your state DMV or motor vehicle agency.
   • Immigration: this may involve USCIS address reporting or an online USCIS account.
   • Court, ticket, fine, or summons: this may need the court clerk or listed government office.
   • Probation, parole, or supervised release: this may need your supervising officer or office.

3. Verify through an independent route, not through the message:

   • For mail forwarding, go directly to USPS change-of-address information.
   • For a broad official checklist, use USA.gov’s change-of-address page.
   • For immigration, go directly to USCIS address-change or AR-11 information.
   • For a court notice, search for the court’s official website and contact the clerk using the number listed there.
   • For probation, parole, or supervised release, use contact details you already have for your supervising officer or office.

4. If it is verified, update your address only through the correct official process:

   • USPS: use the official USPS online change-of-address process or ask for the Mover’s Guide packet at a post office. USPS currently lists a $1.25 online identity verification fee; do not pay a separate company to do the same basic request.
   • DMV or motor vehicle agency: use your state’s official DMV or motor vehicle website, because timelines and methods vary by state.
   • USCIS: if you are required to report an address change, use the official USCIS address-change or AR-11 process, and check whether you also need to update any pending case.
   • Court or agency case: ask the clerk or agency office how to update the address on that specific case and whether you need written confirmation.

5. If you are under probation, parole, or supervised release, treat it as urgent: contact your officer or supervising office directly and ask whether the move needs approval, what documents they need, and how to confirm the update in writing. Federal standard supervision conditions usually require notice at least 10 days before a planned change of residence; if advance notice is not possible because of unanticipated circumstances, they usually require notice within 72 hours of becoming aware of the change or expected change. State, local, parole, and individual court-order rules can differ.

6. If you cannot verify it quickly, contain the scam risk:

   • Do not reply through the original text, email, letter link, QR code, or phone number.
   • Save the message, envelope, screenshots, and any payment request.
   • If you already clicked a link or gave information, stop using that link and go directly to the real agency, bank, email account, or phone provider to secure the account and document what happened.

7. Create a short “no surprises” buffer: for the next few weeks, check your mailbox, forwarding status, and any official online accounts you already use. If you have an active case with a court, USCIS, DMV, benefits office, probation office, or other agency, update that agency directly rather than assuming USPS forwarding will update it for you.