What is a USPS Hold Mail Request?
What is a USPS Hold Mail Request? This is a question you could probably ask if you’re leaving town for a vacation that will be less than 30 days.
It’s always okay to take a break from work, life, and people to spend some time alone. This will help you have a sober reflection about your life.
But what will happen to your mails? Will you leave it littered all over the floor, or you will find a place to keep it safe?
USPS allows you to keep your mail with them until you’re back from your vacation through the USPS Hold Mail Request.
Amazing right? So, let’s quickly learn about the USPS hold mail request and how you can submit your request online.
How Do I Place a USPS Hold Mail Request?
A USPS hold mail request can be set up in three different ways. They include:
1. By Phone
If you would want to place a USPS hold mail request over the phone, you can call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) and inform the USPS representative.
You will be guided through the stages by this representative. This method may not be that simple because they will need to confirm your identity.
Alternatively, you can get the appropriate form, fill it out on your own, and give it to your mail carrier.
2. In Person
You can also place a request by going to a post office near you. Use the online post office locator to find the closest local post office if you are unsure of its location.
When you get to the post office, you will be required to complete the Postal Service form authorizing the USPS to hold mail.
It’s important to remember that requests made in person or over the phone must be made by the end of the business day in order for them to be processed by the next delivery day.
3. USPS Website
If you’re running late to submit your hold request, the online method works best. Online holds may begin that day if they are submitted before 2:00 a.m. Central Time. If you log on after two in the morning, the hold will begin the next day.
But, not all addresses allow online hold submission, so don’t wait until the last minute. If you had completed the form online and it was not successful, you will need to go to a post office to fill it out in person.
Meanwhile, you will get a more elaborate explanation of how to submit your request online, if you keep on reading.
Can I Go Online to Put a Hold on My Mail?
Yes, it’s possible to put a hold on your mail online. But, you need to follow these steps below:
1. Create a USPS Account
In order to submit your request online, create a USPS account. Online submission of a hold mail request is the simplest method.
However, you have to register for a free USPS online account before using this service. Your username is a onetime thing and is just meant for you alone.
You can use this same username wherever you reside in the United States. Hence, there’s no need to make a new account if you move to a new apartment.
2. Know How Long USPS Will Hold Your Mail
A USPS hold mail request can be submitted for up to 30 days, with a minimum of three days. It would be more appropriate for you to have your mail forwarded if you’ll be gone for longer than 30 days.
You can choose to have your mail kept for a lesser duration, even if you will be away for longer than thirty days.
Just make sure the finish date falls on the day you plan to return home so you can pick up your mail then.
3. Choose a Mode Of Delivery
After the hold expires, you either have the carrier deliver the mail to your address or pick it up at the post office near you.
It could be simpler to go pick up the mail yourself if you usually receive a lot of mails.
This is because your mail carrier will only deliver the quantity of mail that fits in your mailbox.
4. Complete the Form for Authorization
Apart from your name and address, the authorization form also includes the time frame you would like USPS to store your mail.
The form is available for download or pickup at the post office in your area.
You will need to print this form, fill it out by hand, as the downloadable version cannot be filled. Use black or blue ink and write properly.
5. Confirm Your Identity
To confirm your identity, the online service poses a series of questions to you. If you wish to submit your request online, you must provide accurate answers to these questions.
The inquiries are based on the things found in your credit report. Meanwhile, your credit score is unaffected by the identity verification process, even though your credit report is examined.
You will need to submit your request in person if the USPS cannot verify your identity online.
6. Get Your Confirmation Number
You will receive a confirmation number when you submit your Hold Mail request, either in person or online.
The confirmation number will appear on the screen if you submit it online. You can choose to take a screen capture of the page.
An email with the confirmation number will also be sent to you. Check your spam folder if this email isn’t showing up in your inbox after a few minutes.
Is it Possible to Hold Your Mail While on Vacation?
Yes, you can place your mail on hold while you’re away on a vacation to recharge your mental batteries.
You can either do it online, through the phone or in person at your local post office.
USPS makes it easier by introducing a great tool called “Informed Delivery” that allows you to view what mail will be delivered.
You can sign up to receive daily emails, including scans of the mail that will be sent that day to anyone with a residential mail address.
While traveling, this service might be rather useful, even though it’s lovely to have at home. With USPS Informed Delivery, you can track its delivery status while it’s in transit.
Meanwhile, your mail may accumulate to the point that it keeps your postal carrier from delivering more, even if you have a safe mailbox. Therefore, submitting a formal USPS Hold Mail Request is a smart idea.
Can USPS Hold My Mail Without Permission?
Yes, USPS can hold your mail without obtaining your permission.
USPS is legally permitted to withhold and prevent the delivery of your mail to your mailbox.
Although, they cannot completely stop mail delivery, and if need be, you are free to pick it up yourself at the post office.
According to 18 U.S. Code ยง 1703, postal employees who knowingly delay or destroy mail in violation of the law may be subject to penalties or possibly jail time.
Generally, USPS only stops delivering your mail when your mailbox is filled or when a safety concern keeps the postal carrier from delivering.
You’ll find out other reasons USPS could place your mail on hold if you just scroll below.
Why Will USPS Place a Hold My Mail?
There are many reasons USPS could place a hold on your mail. They are:
1. A Request Was Made
The first reason the USPS might hold your mail is if you or someone at your address made a specific request for it.
This usually happens when you sign up for the USPS mail hold service before leaving on vacation, for instance.
Requests for USPS mail holds may be made for up to 30 days, during which USPS will retain all mail that would have been delivered.
2. Your Mailbox is Filled
It should go without saying that USPS will not be able to deliver any more mail to your mailbox if they can no longer physically fit it inside.
This is annoying for USPS as some mail carriers will even go so far as to send you an angry message.
Therefore, make sure you constantly check your mailbox and remove anything that might be there.
3. Safety Concerns
This is one of the most common reasons if your mail is being held either temporarily or occasionally.
If it would be risky for its drivers to deliver, USPS has the authority to refuse the package.
For instance, USPS might not stop to deliver in your neighborhood if a dog has been permitted to go loose in order to protect the driver. Although the dog may seem well-mannered to you, USPS is unaware of this.
4. Faulty Mailbox
Mailboxes that are broken, difficult to open, or don’t adhere to USPS’s requirements for approved mailboxes may not be delivered to.
The dimensions of the mailbox are not the only requirements. There’s also a concern about the mailbox’s actual placement.
So, you will need to ensure that your mailbox does not exceed USPS requirements in terms of size and placement.
5. No Secure Location
If there isn’t a safe area for the package to be left, USPS may refuse to deliver it.
They will leave a note saying “no secure location available” at your door or in your mailbox. This notification will be on the USPS website’s tracking page for your package.
This usually happens because they want to ensure that you can get your package without having to worry about it being stolen or damaged by bad weather.
Can I Cancel My USPS Hold Mail Request?
Yes, you can cancel your USPS hold mail request by using a confirmation number.
When you register for a mail hold, you always get a confirmation number that you can use to cancel the hold. This makes canceling the hold simple.
Other ways to cancel your hold request include:
1. Online
You can click on the service page after logging onto your official website. From the right side of the page, there’s a tab to cancel the mail hold.
Enter all required information accurately, including your address and phone number.
You will get an option to cancel the mail hold after entering the details. Also, you can choose to proceed by clicking on the verification option. Check the information displayed on the screen, then select ” Cancel” .
2. Contact Customer Care
You can get in touch with customer support via their official mailing address. They answer calls from Monday through Saturday, and they have a set time for doing so.
When requesting a mail hold, they will require your phone number and confirmation number.
Regardless of how you want to submit your USPS hold mail request, remember that you need to ask for the hold 30 days ahead of time.
You can always pick up your mail when you get back from your trip at your local post office.
