How to hold mail at the post office
Holding mail at the post office, also known as "holding mail at the post office box" or "mail hold," is a service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that allows you to temporarily hold your mail at a post office instead of having it delivered to your home or business. Here's how to hold mail at the post office:
Why hold mail at the post office?
You may want to hold your mail at the post office for various reasons, such as:
- You're going out of town and don't want your mail to pile up.
- You're moving and need to hold your mail until you've set up your new address.
- You're experiencing a mail delivery issue and need to hold your mail until the problem is resolved.
- You're a business owner and need to hold your mail until you're ready to receive it.
How to hold mail at the post office:
- Visit a post office: Go to a post office near you and let the postal clerk know that you'd like to hold your mail.
- Provide identification: Show a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license or passport, to prove your identity.
- Specify the hold period: Let the clerk know how long you'd like to hold your mail. You can choose a specific date or a range of dates.
- Provide your address: Give the clerk your current address, so they can update their records.
- Get a confirmation: The clerk will give you a confirmation number or a receipt, which serves as proof that your mail is being held.
- Pick up your mail: Return to the post office on or after the specified hold period to pick up your mail.
Tips and considerations:
- You can hold your mail for a maximum of 30 days.
- If you're holding mail for an extended period, you may need to provide additional documentation, such as a utility bill or lease agreement, to prove your identity and address.
- If you're holding mail for a business, you may need to provide a business license or other documentation.
- If you're unable to pick up your mail within the specified hold period, it will be returned to sender.
- You can also hold mail online through the USPS website or mobile app, but you'll need to have a USPS account and a valid credit card.
Remember to always check with your local post office for their specific policies and procedures regarding holding mail.