How long does usps hold general delivery mail

The United States Postal Service (USPS) holds General Delivery mail for a limited time. According to the USPS website, General Delivery mail is held for 30 days at the post office where it was sent. If the recipient does not pick up the mail within this time frame, it is returned to the sender as undeliverable.

Here are some additional details on how USPS handles General Delivery mail:

1. Initial Holding Period: USPS holds General Delivery mail for 30 days from the date it is received at the post office.
2. Extension of Holding Period: If the recipient is unable to pick up the mail within the initial 30-day period, they can request an extension of up to 30 additional days. This can be done by contacting the post office where the mail was sent.
3. Return to Sender: If the recipient does not pick up the mail within the extended holding period (60 days total), the mail is returned to the sender as undeliverable.
4. Storage Limitations: USPS has limited storage space, so if the post office is holding a large volume of General Delivery mail, they may need to return it to the sender earlier than the 60-day limit.
5. Pickup Options: Recipients can pick up their General Delivery mail at the post office during regular business hours. They will need to provide a valid government-issued ID and proof of address to collect their mail.

It's worth noting that USPS does not provide a forwarding service for General Delivery mail. If the recipient moves or changes their address, they will need to update their address with the sender and request that any future mail be sent to their new address.