Forwarded Certified Mail

Getting Started

This article explains what it means when a Certified Letter is marked as “Forwarded,” including why it happens and what it means for delivery.


In This Article


What “Forwarded” Means

A “Forwarded” status indicates that the recipient is no longer at the original delivery address, and USPS has redirected the letter to a new address on file. Forwarding mail a fairly common occurrence for Certified Letters.


Why a Letter Is Forwarded

A letter may be forwarded for the following reason:

  • The recipient has submitted a change-of-address request with USPS
  • USPS has a forwarding address on file for the recipient
  • Some businesses automatically have forwarding set up for all incoming mail

What Happens Next

After a letter is forwarded:

  • USPS reroutes the letter to the recipient’s new address
  • This may delay delivery beyond the normal timeframe
  • Tracking will continue to update as the letter moves to the new destination