How long does Form 8822 take?
4–6 weeks of IRS processing after your form arrives — the IRS prints that estimate on the form itself. Add a few days of mail transit on the front, and expect no confirmation at the end (that’s normal for individuals).
The actual timeline
| Stage | Time | What’s happening |
|---|---|---|
| Mail transit | 2–5 business days | USPS carries it to the IRS center for your old state. Certified Mail shows you the delivery scan. |
| IRS processing | 4–6 weeks | The IRS updates your “last known address” across its systems. |
| Confirmation | Never (individuals) | No letter comes. Businesses get CP148 notices; individuals don’t. |
| Verification | Any time after | Check the address in your IRS Online Account profile, or call 800-829-1040. |
Why “no confirmation” matters
With no letter coming, the only proof you’ll ever hold is proof of mailing. A Certified Mail receipt and tracking history show it was delivered to the IRS center on a specific date — useful if a notice later goes astray and you need to show you updated your address promptly.
We mail Form 8822 Certified for you and email the tracking number plus a proof-of-mailing PDF — then a heads-up when it should have arrived, with the verification links.
Fill mine in — about a minuteFree if you’d rather mail it yourself.
Sources: Form 8822 (Rev. 2-2021) PRA notice; irs.gov address-changes FAQ; CP148A (business-only confirmations).