The Scoop on the National Change of Address Database

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 14.19 percent of population move annually. This creates a lot of undeliverable mail. Filing a change of address with the United States Post Office helps reduce undeliverable mail and lowers costs for mailers. 

The National Change of Address (NCOA) database consists of over 160 million addresses of those who filled out the change of address form. Data is kept in the database for 48 months and access to this information is only granted service providers and to mailers who have a license.

In order for a mail service provider to get bulk mailing rates, each list must be run against the NCOA database within 90 days before the mailing. The list is compared to the database and updated with any new addresses that are found. Not only is the mailer saving money, but mail from places you may have forgotten to notify that you moved will find you at your new home!