How does hold mail work

Hold mail is a service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that allows you to temporarily suspend mail delivery to your mailbox while you're away. Here's how it works:

How to request hold mail:

  1. Go to the USPS website (usps.com) and click on "Hold Mail" under the "Mail & Ship" tab.
  2. Fill out the online form with your name, address, and the dates you'd like to hold your mail.
  3. You can also request hold mail by visiting your local post office or calling 1-800-275-8777 (1-800-ASK-USPS).

How hold mail works:

  1. The USPS will hold your mail at your local post office for the specified dates.
  2. During the hold period, your mail will not be delivered to your mailbox.
  3. When you return, you can pick up your held mail at the post office or have it forwarded to you.

Types of hold mail:

  1. Temporary Hold: This is the most common type of hold mail. You can request a temporary hold for a specific period, such as a vacation or business trip.
  2. Permanent Hold: If you're moving or going to be away for an extended period, you can request a permanent hold. This will suspend mail delivery indefinitely until you request it to be reinstated.

Fees:

  1. There is no fee for requesting hold mail.
  2. If you need to have your held mail forwarded to you, there may be a fee (currently $1.05 per ounce).

Tips:

  1. Make sure to request hold mail at least 3 business days before your desired start date.
  2. If you have a PO box, you can request hold mail for that address as well.
  3. If you're going to be away for an extended period, consider setting up automatic mail forwarding to a friend or family member.

By requesting hold mail, you can ensure that your mail is safe and secure while you're away, and you won't have to worry about missed deliveries or lost mail.