Can you pick up someone else's mail at usps

According to the United States Postal Service (USPS) guidelines, you can pick up someone else's mail at a post office or a mailbox under certain circumstances. Here are the rules:

  1. Power of Attorney: If you have a Power of Attorney (POA) document that grants you authority to act on behalf of the mail recipient, you can pick up their mail. The POA must be notarized and presented at the post office.
  2. Authorized Representative: If you are an authorized representative of the mail recipient, such as a family member, caregiver, or executor of their estate, you may be able to pick up their mail. You'll need to provide proof of your relationship and a letter of authorization from the mail recipient.
  3. Mail Forwarding: If the mail recipient has set up mail forwarding to a different address, you can pick up their mail at the post office. The mail recipient must have completed a Mail Forwarding Request form (PS Form 3575) and provided it to the post office.
  4. Special Circumstances: In rare cases, the post office may allow someone else to pick up mail if the mail recipient is:
    • Incapacitated or unable to receive mail.
    • Out of town or away from their usual residence.
    • Deceased, and the executor of their estate is picking up their mail.

To pick up someone else's mail, you'll need to:

  1. Go to the post office where the mail is being held.
  2. Provide identification and proof of your relationship or authorization (if applicable).
  3. Sign a receipt for the mail, acknowledging that you are picking it up on behalf of the mail recipient.

Keep in mind that the post office may have specific procedures and requirements for picking up someone else's mail, so it's always a good idea to call ahead and confirm their policies before visiting the post office.