Placing hold on mail

Placing a hold on your mail, also known as mail hold or mail suspension, is a service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that allows you to temporarily stop mail delivery to your address. Here's how it works:

Why would you want to place a hold on your mail?

There are several reasons why you might want to place a hold on your mail:

  1. Vacation or travel: If you're going to be away from your home for an extended period, you can place a hold on your mail to prevent it from accumulating and potentially being stolen or damaged.
  2. Moving: If you're moving to a new address, you can place a hold on your mail to ensure that it's not delivered to your old address.
  3. Home renovation: If you're having work done on your home, you might want to place a hold on your mail to prevent it from being delivered to a construction site or a temporary address.
  4. Security: If you're concerned about mail theft or identity theft, placing a hold on your mail can help prevent unauthorized access to your mail.

How to place a hold on your mail

To place a hold on your mail, you can follow these steps:

  1. Visit the USPS website: Go to the USPS website (www.usps.com) and click on "Hold Mail" under the "Mail & Shipping" tab.
  2. Sign in: Sign in to your USPS account or create a new one if you don't have one.
  3. Enter your address: Enter your address and the dates you want to place the hold on your mail.
  4. Choose your hold options: You can choose to hold your mail for a specific number of days or until a specific date.
  5. Confirm: Review and confirm your hold request.

What happens when you place a hold on your mail

When you place a hold on your mail, the USPS will:

  1. Stop delivering mail: Mail delivery will be suspended to your address for the specified period.
  2. Hold your mail: Your mail will be held at your local post office or a designated mail facility.
  3. Notify you: You'll receive a confirmation email or letter from the USPS when your hold is placed.
  4. Release your mail: When the hold period ends, your mail will be released and delivered to your address.

Tips and reminders