redirect letters royal mail

• Skip navigation
• Find a branch
• Help and support

Popular searches

• Track a parcel
• Travel money
• Travel insurance
• Drop and Go

Log into your account

• Credit cards
• International money transfer
• Junior ISAs

Travel and Insurance

• Car and van insurance
• Gadget insurance
• Home insurance
• Pet insurance
• Travel Money Card
• Parcels Online

For further information about the Horizon IT Scandal, please visit our  corporate website

• Help & Support
• Letters and Parcels
• Royal Mail and Parcel Force Help Page
• Mail Redirections

Help and support Mail Redirections

You can find help and support here for  Mail Redirection .

Common mail redirection questions

I’m having problems with my mail redirection. what do i do.

Please visit the Royal Mail redirection help and support area.

How do I cancel my mail redirection?

How do i change details of my mail redirection such as address and start date, how can i renew my mail redirection, get the help you need, visit the royal mail help pages.

Access additional help and articles from Royal Mail Go to Royal Mail

The Ultimate Royal Mail Redirection Guide [2024]

Everything you need to know about royal mail’s redirection service.

How to Redirect Post UK

Mail redirection is a huge part of moving home, yet it very rarely gets mentioned and is the cause of many mover’s problems. 

Imagine… you’ve just moved into your new home, you’re just starting to settle in and then you suddenly realise you haven’t had a single item of mail through the letter box. What’s happened? Why hasn’t your mail arrived? You haven’t redirected it that’s why! 

But don’t fret! We’ve put together the ultimate Royal Mail redirection guide. In this article, we’ll outline everything you need to know about postal redirection when moving home. 

Continue reading if you don’t want to miss out on any important letters – whether it’s your tax rebate, a speeding ticket, a credit card statement, a pension update or just a birthday card from your mum. 

Here’s how to redirect mail and everything that goes along with it. 

Update your address with everyone at the same time

SSL ENCRYPTION

REF: ZA531326

ORGANISATIONS

This Article Covers

What is royal mail postal redirection.

Royal Mail redirection pretty much does exactly what it says on the tin – it re-routes any post sent to your old address to your new one.

When Royal Mail receives post for someone who has registered for their mail redirection service, their postal team will redirect the item(s) to their new delivery address, as specified by the customer. 

By using Royal Mail’s redirection service, you won’t miss out on receiving any important mail after moving into your new home and before you’ve had a chance to update your address with services like the DVLA , your utility companie s, your bank , your pension provider and more. 

Go ahead and start redirecting your mail today. 

How Does Royal Mail Redirection Work?

So, how does mail redirection work when moving house ? 

Once you register for mail redirection, Royal Mail will do the rest of the work for you. When Royal Mail receives any post addressed to your old home, the postal team will match the “sent to” details with your new information. Then, they will forward your letters to your new address. It’s as simple as that! 

And, don’t worry if you’re jetting off to Australia , America or some other far-flung destination – Royal Mail redirection can be set up for both UK and overseas addresses. 

When is Mail Redirection Useful?

Mail redirection services are useful for anyone who’s moving home. Regardless of whether it’s a temporary change in accommodation, a permanent overseas move, or a holiday that lasts longer than planned, you can redirect your mail and get it sent to your new address. 

If you fall into any of the below categories, you should definitely consider setting up mail redirection : 

• You’re moving house 
• You’re moving abroad 
• You’re working abroad 
• You’re on an extended holiday 
• You’ve relocated for business

How Do I Redirect My Mail to a New Address?

So, now for the all important question – how do you redirect mail? 

Registering for Royal Mail redirection is pretty simple and there are multiple ways you can do so. 

The first way you can set up postal redirection is by visiting your local post office and picking up a ‘Mail Redirection’ form. Fill out this form with all the relevant information, including your previous address and your new address. 

The second way of redirecting your post with Royal Mail is online, on their website . Again, you’ll need to fill out a form and submit it. There is also an option to create an account, just in case you need to extend the mail redirection and want to save time having to fill the form in again. 

Last, but certainly not least, you can redirect your mail with SlothMove, at the same time as updating your address with all your accounts and providers. All you have to do is tell us who you want to notify of your house move and we’ll do the rest for you. 2

We’ll change your address with all your chosen services so that any mail gets sent to your new home rather than your old one.

How Long Does it Take to Redirect Mail?

Royal Mail recommend allowing up to three weeks to get a postal redirection set up, but they can be processed within as little as five working days. 

It’s important that you register for mail redirection in good time to ensure your post gets sent to your new address in time for when you move in. 

You can apply for a Royal Mail redirection up to three months prior to moving, so try to do it with as much notice as possible.

How Long Can You Redirect Mail For?

You can set up Royal Mail redirection for 3, 6 or 12 months at a time. Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine how long you think you’ll need your postal redirection in place for. 

However, it’s important to note that some vital mail might only be sent once each year, such as your annual pension statement. Therefore, it may be worth opting for a 12-month mail redirection to minimise the risk of missing important correspondence. 

Can I Extend Royal Mail Redirection? 

When you reach the 12-month redirection period, you have the option to renew your postal redirection, up to a maximum of 4 years. You won’t be able to renew beyond this length of time. 

Does Royal Mail Redirection Include Parcels?

The Royal Mail redirection service does include parcels, but only if you’re moving within the UK. If you’re redirecting overseas, parcels aren’t included. 

For those who are moving abroad and need parcels sending, they can be redirected to a UK Postbox Courier Point Address.

How Much Does Mail Redirection Cost?

How much you can expect to pay for Royal Mail redirection depends on a number of factors, including the duration, location and who you are. 

Personal Royal Mail Redirection Costs 

If your whole household is moving home, you’ll need to set up independent redirection accounts for each surname, not per property. Royal Mail redirection for personal use will cost: 

Redirection within the UK:

• 3 months: £33.99
• 6 months: £46.99
• 12 months: £66.99

Redirection internationally, within the EU 

• 3 months: £144.99
• 6 months: £204.99
• 12 months: £292.99

Redirection internationally, outside the EU

• 3 months: £120.99
• 6 months: £169.99
• 12 months: £243.99

Business Royal Mail Redirection

Royal Mail also offers a redirection service for businesses that are relocating. Here’s how much it will cost to redirect mail for a business: 

Redirection within the UK

• 3 months: £204
• 6 months: £303
• 12 months: £490

Redirection internationally within the EU

• 3 months: £285
• 6 months: £442
• 12 months: £755

Redirection internationally outside of the EU

• 3 months: £238
• 6 months: £369
• 12 months: £629

Or, you can permanently update your address and redirect your mail with all of your providers for less using SlothMove’s online change of address service.

How Reliable is Royal Mail Redirection?

It’s always a concern that your mail redirection won’t be processed correctly. What if something goes wrong and you lose your mail completely? 

But, you shouldn’t worry – before any postal redirection occurs,  you’ll be sent a confirmation letter that will indicate your redirection start date, the address your mail is being redirected to and the names of the mail receivers. 

This is your opportunity to double-check your details. If correct, you can rest assured that you shouldn’t have any problems – your mail should find you at your new address without any trouble. 

In the rare case that Royal Mail fails to deliver a reliable mail redirection service, they have a dedicated section for you to resolve any issues.

Alternatively, if you’re finding it hard to trust Royal Mail’s redirection service, you can simply update your address with all your senders through SlothMove. This way, rather than relying on Royal Mail to redirect your mail, you can be sent all your post from the service or provider directly. 

How Do I Renew My Mail Redirection?

To renew your postal redirection, you’ll need to have set up a Royal Mail account online. 

• Log into your account and select ‘Royal Mail Redirection’. 
• Enter your reference number and renewal code 
• Check that the details are correct 
• Select how long you would like to renew for (3, 6 or 12 months)
• Confirm the billing address for the chosen card (the card must be registered at the new or old address)
• Enter your card details 
• Click ‘Confirm and Pay’

You can also renew your Royal Mail redirection by post or by phone using their automated Renewal system by calling 03457 777888 . You should note that you can’t renew your post redirection at a Post Office. 

How Much Does it Cost to Renew Royal Mail Redirection?

Within the uk, how do i find my redirection reference number.

If you have to renew your Royal Mail redirection, you’ll require your 9-digit redirection reference number. 

You can find your redirection reference number on the confirmation letter sent to you by Royal Mail.

Can I Cancel Royal Mail Redirection?

Yes, you can cancel your Royal Mail redirection at any time. 

• – If you cancel your Redirection before it has started, you‘ll receive a full refund.
• – If you cancel your Redirection within the Cancellation Period and your Redirection has not started, you’ll received a full refund.
• – If you cancel your Redirection within the Cancellation Period and your Redirection has started, we‘ll refund you the Redirection fee less £10 to cover our costs.
• – If you cancel your Redirection after the Cancellation Period and your Redirection has started, no refund will be provided.

How Can SlothMove Help with Your Postal Redirection?

Most home-movers assume that the only way to redirect their mail when moving house is using Royal Mail’s redirection service . However, it’s also possible to redirect your mail to your new address using SlothMove’s online change of address service. 

We will notify each of your specified accounts, services or providers of your change of address for you. So, instead of redirecting your post, you can simply update your address across all services in one go so that they can send your mail directly to your new home . 

Super quick and completely stress-free, you can inform all your providers of your house move in under 5 minutes. Then, all that’s left to do is sit back, relax and let SlothMove do the work for you.

Award-winning

Update your address

Take the hassle and stress out of your move and update your address with hundreds of companies

Cookie settings

We use cookies to provide you with the best possible experience. They also allow us to analyze user behavior in order to constantly improve the website for you.

Cookies help us improve your Royal Mail online experience. If you accept their use, continue using our site. Or, find out more about cookies

This site uses JavaScript. To avoid this text box appearing on every page when you use the site you must have JavaScript enabled in your browser settings.

If you are already registered on royalmail.com, please enter your details here:

*Indicates a required field

Your login details will be sent across a secure connection.

(Your password must have 8 characters or more and contain at least one letter and one number with no spaces.)

• Forgotten your password?
• Send me a new password

If you have not already registered, you can do so now.

• Other Royal Mail accounts
• Log in to Online Business Account
• Log in to Despatch Manager Online
• Tools Buy postage online Arrange courier collection Return an item Find a service near you Shop for stamps Find a postcode UK parcels and letters Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm Royal Mail Tracked 24® Royal Mail Tracked 48® 1st Class 2nd Class Sameday courier All UK services and prices International International Tracked and Signed International Tracked International Standard Country customs and restrictions All international services and prices See all mailing services
• Tools Track your item Arrange a Redelivery Return an item Pay a fee Find your delivery office Moving? Redirect your mail Going away? Hold your mail Get a PO Box Apply for a PO Box See all receiving services
• Postage and packaging 1st and 2nd Class stamps Stamp books Stamp sheets Envelopes Packaging materials See all packaging materials Business mail supplies Special stamp issues Star Trek Christmas 2020 Brilliant Bugs Rupert Bear Queen Stamp Calendar See all special stamp issues Collectibles and gifts Presentation packs and sets Framed stamps and prints First Day covers Coins and medals Annual collections See all collectibles and gifts Bundles Visit Shop
• Help with tracking Track your item help Tracking international items What our tracking messages mean My tracking message says it's been delivered but it hasn't been Get in touch Latest service updates How to make a claim Contact Royal Mail Help with your mail How to collect a missed delivery Letter and parcel size guide Restrictions and prohibitions Wrapping and packaging your mail Customs information Redirection support How to address your mail Help with a Redelivery I think my mail is lost When we can't deliver See all help & support
• Services for businesses Royal Mail for small and medium sized businesses Royal Mail for large businesses and public sector Business tools Online Business Account Despatch Manager Online See all business services

Personal Customers Help Centre

We're here to help

Can I redirect mail on behalf of someone else?

• Google Plus

We understand there are many things to organise when taking responsibility for someone’s affairs.

If someone has passed away, moved into a residential nursing / care home or you have power of attorney, deputyship or similar legal authority, we can help by redirecting* their mail to your address for up to four years.

*Please note we cannot redirect from multi-occupied premises such as nursing homes, hotels or colleges. This is due to the high number of people living at the address with one communal letter box / reception. 

How to apply

Please use the Special Circumstances application form. You’ll find it and the terms and conditions at  royalmail.com/redirection.

Unfortunately, for security reasons, we can’t arrange this sort of Redirection online. You’ll need to apply by post or at a Post Office® branch.

Find your nearest Post Office®

Can I reduce the amount of mail being received?

You can register with the  Mailing Preference Service. This will help reduce the amount of direct marketing mail sent in the person’s name.

Was this helpful?

Still haven't found what you're looking for, related help.

• Redirection Help Hub
• I've received someone else's mail
• What mail can be redirected?
• Help with cancelling or changing a Redirection
• I'm having problems with my Redirection

All our advisors are busy helping other customers. Please see our other ways to contact us here:

• A-Z of services
• Help & support
• Mailing tools
• Royal Mail Group
• Terms and conditions
• Terms of use
• Accessibility

Cookies Policy

Cookies are small text files stored by your device when you access most websites on the internet. We will use two types of cookies:

• Session cookies - these expire when you close your browser and do not remain on your computer.
• Persistent cookies - these are stored in the longer term on your computer. They are normally used to make sure the site remembers your preferences.

www.royalmail.com (this Website) uses cookies in order to make it easier to use and to support the provision of relevant information and functionality to you. Cookies also provide us with information about how this Website is used so we can keep it is as up to date, relevant and error free as possible. Further information about the types of cookies in use on this Website is set out below.

By using this Website you agree to the use of cookies. Please note that certain cookies may be set the moment you start visiting this Website. You can choose to manage the cookies we use on this Website through your browser settings at any time. For more information about how to do this, and about cookies in general, you can visit www.allaboutcookies.org .

Please note that preventing cookies is likely to impact the functionality or performance of this Website, or prevent you from using certain services provided through it. If you choose to prevent cookies, we cannot guarantee access to the services provided through this Website or be sure how this Website will perform during your visit. Preventing cookies will also affect our ability to update this Website to cater for user preferences and improve its performance.

The types of cookies we currently use on this Website are set out below. The cookie categories are based on the category definitions contained in the International Chamber of Commerce UK Cookie guide .

Royal Mail Redirection: How to set up and manage

Royal Mail Redirection is a fantastic service that is useful for just about anyone moving, whether that’s long term or short term. If you want to know what this service offers, our introduction to mail redirection covers everything you need to know.

Note: The only organisation you can set up Royal Mail Redirection is The Royal Mail.

What you’ll need to start redirecting mail

To start redirecting your mail you’re going to need to register for the Royal Mail Redirection service, here’s everything you should have on hand:

• Royal Mail account
• Full Name and date of birth of everyone that requires mail redirection from your old address.
• A payment card that is either registered to your previous or new address.
• If applying via post, you’ll need a cheque under the name of each applicant, payable to Royal Mail Group Ltd.
• An old address that you want to redirect mail from
• A new address for the redirected mail to be sent to (did you know you can get a free address from UK Postbox to redirect your mail to? You can then read your post online from anywhere in the world. Find out more about our free Redirection Address with online management )

Redirecting mail in special circumstances

In circumstances that you’re applying for someone who has deceased, or whom you have power of attorney, Royal Mail will require additional documentation. Their redirection application for special circumstance form details all of the information you’ll be required to provide.

Royal Mail Redirection: How long does it take to set up?

This depends entirely on how you’re applying for your Royal Mail Redirection service. Upon Royal Mail receiving an application, you must allow for at least five working days before your redirection service is activated. Here are the different ways that you can apply:

• Completing an online redirection application
• Posting a completed application form for redirection
• Completing an application at your local Post Office
• If you’re setting up redirection for more than eight people, you’re required to apply at the Post Office.

Need to apply now for a future move? You can register for redirection for up to 6 months before your moving date.

Changing the details of your Royal Mail Redirection account

Most changes can only be made once a written request is posted to the Royal Mail. Some minor changes can be made online through your Royal Mail account, such as these:

• The correction of a spelling mistake
• The addition of a flat number to an address line

It can take up to 10 working days for any changes to take place, so make sure to send your request to this address as soon as anything needs amending:

Royal Mail Redirection Centre

Trent House

Stoke-on-Trent

Renewing your mail redirection

A few weeks before your mail redirection ends, Royal Mail will send you an invite to renew.

You’ll receive a reference number and renewal code, keep this safe, you’ll need it to extend the redirection period. Bear in mind the following when you’re considering continuing your redirection:

• Minimum extension: 3 months
• Maximum extension: 12 months
• Maximum redirection period: 4 years

How to renew your Royal Mail Redirection

You can renew online , by post or by phone using the reference number and renewal code sent with your invitation. Please note that if you’re renewing a redirection to an overseas address, you’ll need a UK registered payment card. Failing this, you’ll have to apply via post with a cheque.

Cancelling your Royal Mail redirection

For security reasons, how you applied for your Royal Mail redirection dictates your method of cancellation. In all cases, include your full name, date of birth, addresses associated with your redirection account and your intention to cancel the service.

• Online application

If you applied for redirection online, simply e-mail [email protected] from the email address you registered with.

    2. Post Office or phone application

If you applied through the Post Office or on the phone, you’d need to write to Royal Mail at this address:

Cancel My Redirection

Royal Mail Redirection cancellation policy

• You can cancel your redirection service within 14 days of receiving your confirmation letter or email.
• If you cancel before the redirection is activated, you’ll pay no cancellation fee.
• If you cancel within 14 days after your redirection is activated, you’ll incur a fee of £10*.

*Prices true as of February 2019

Moving during your redirection period

If you’re registered for Royal Mail redirection but moving to a new address, you’ll need to set up a new mail redirection service. You won’t be returned any money if you cancel this service after 14 days of service activation.

UK Postbox Redirection Address

If you’re unsure on how long you’ll be leaving the UK for, or if you’re a frequent mover who’d prefer to redirect their mail to a single address, you’ll benefit from a UK Postbox account. Setting up mail redirection to your UK Postbox account is simple.

• Sign up for a free redirection address
• Set up Royal Mail Redirection to redirect to your UK Postbox address
• Receive mail to your UK Postbox address that you can read, access, store and action online through our web app, or request to be forwarded on physically.
• Keep your UK Postbox Redirection Address for your lifetime, ready for you to redirect to whenever you’re in need of the service.

You may also like...

Mail Forwarding Services in the UK have been around for decades, but it’s only in the last ten years that we’ve seen a huge step forward in how they work.

There’s good reason to set up mail redirection in more scenarios than just moving home. Find out when & why a mail redirection service is a good option.

Mail redirection is useful for frequent travellers and anyone moving address. The service helps any mail being sent to an old address find your new one.

Whatever your reason for needing to set up a Royal Mail Redirection, by combining it with a UK Postbox account, your postal mail will always be secure.

Great news! You can now extend your Royal Mail Redirection for up to 48 months!