Mail vacation hold
A mail vacation hold, also known as a mail hold or mail suspension, 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 on vacation or for an extended period.
Here's how it works:
- Contact your local post office: You can visit your local post office or call them to request a mail hold. You'll need to provide your name, address, and the dates you'd like the hold to be in effect.
- Fill out a form: The post office will provide you with a form to fill out, which will ask for your name, address, and the dates you'd like the hold to be in effect. You'll also need to sign the form to confirm that you're the authorized person to request the hold.
- Submit the form: Once you've completed the form, return it to the post office. You can do this in person, by mail, or by fax.
- Confirm the hold: The post office will confirm the hold and update their records. You can check the status of your hold online or by contacting your local post office.
What happens during a mail hold:
- The USPS will hold all mail and packages at the post office until the hold is lifted.
- You won't receive any mail or packages during the hold period.
- If you have a package delivery, the carrier will leave a notice indicating that the package was held due to a mail hold.
How to lift a mail hold:
- Contact your local post office: You can visit your local post office or call them to lift the hold.
- Provide identification: You'll need to provide identification to confirm that you're the authorized person to lift the hold.
- Confirm the lift: The post office will confirm the lift and update their records.
Benefits of a mail hold:
- Prevents mail theft: By holding your mail, you can prevent theft and reduce the risk of identity fraud.
- Saves space: If you're going to be away for an extended period, a mail hold can save you space in your mailbox and reduce clutter.
- Reduces waste: A mail hold can help reduce waste by preventing unnecessary mail from being delivered to your mailbox.
Keep in mind that a mail hold only applies to mail and packages delivered by the USPS. If you have packages delivered by other carriers, such as UPS or FedEx, you'll need to contact those carriers separately to arrange for hold or delivery suspension.