Headed out of town or unable to collect your mail for a few days? Have your mail held safely at your local Post Office™ location until you return.
USPS Hold Mail® Service is a free service that pauses ALL mail delivery (letters and packages) to an address for a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 30 days for ALL individuals at a specified eligible* address. Be sure to notate confirmation number for future reference in case changes are necessary.
On the last day of Hold Mail service, we will deliver all your mail to you, or you can choose to pick it up at your local Post Office location. Be sure to notate your confirmation number for future reference in case changes are necessary.
Who can submit a USPS Hold Mail® request?
A USPS Hold Mail request may be submitted by anyone at an eligible* address or their authorized agent. The agent is someone authorized by the customer to act on their behalf. A third party may schedule a USPS Hold Mail request for a particular address as long as the customer can provide all information required to complete the request.
How can I submit a USPS Hold Mail request?
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Online
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In Person or In Writing
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Please visit USPS Hold Mail Service to submit a request online. You will need to sign in to or create a USPS.com® account to begin an online USPS Hold Mail request.
You can enter an online USPS Hold Mail request up to 30 days in advance of the start date or as early as the next scheduled delivery day.
Online USPS Hold Mail requests submitted before 2:00 A.M. Central Time can begin on the same Postal business day. Online USPS Hold Mail requests submitted after 2:00 A.M. Central Time can begin on the next Postal business day at the earliest.
Postal business days are Monday through Saturday, with the exception of Postal holidays.
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Please visit your local Post Office™ location and complete PS Form 8076, Authorization to Hold Mail.
You may locate the phone number and address using Post Office Locator.
Requests made in person, in writing or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) must be accepted by the closing of your local Post Office location or the Customer Care Center for the request to be completed by the next delivery schedule.
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| *NOTE: Online submission of USPS Hold Mail service is not available at all addresses. If USPS Hold Mail service is unavailable for your address, you must submit your request in person. Please visit your local Post Office™ location and complete PS Form 8076, Authorization to Hold Mail. The Customer Care Center is not able to submit requests for ineligible addresses. |
How do I edit, change or cancel a USPS Hold Mail request?
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Edit / change / cancel
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Confirmation numbers for USPS Hold Mail requests are sent via email if submitted online or through the Customer Care Center, as long as you provide a valid email address. A direct link to the USPS Hold Mail application is provided in the email, allowing you to make changes to your request. If you submitted your Hold Mail at your local post office, you will not receive a confirmation number.
Edit / Change / Cancel requests submitted before 2:00 A.M. Central Time can begin on the same Postal business day. Requests submitted after 2:00 A.M. Central Time can begin on the next Postal business day at the earliest.
Postal business days are Monday through Saturday, with the exception of Postal holidays.
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| With a confirmation number, you can edit, change or cancel your hold mail request: |
- By following the link provided in your confirmation email
- By calling the Customer Care Center
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Without a confirmation number, you can't edit, change or cancel your hold mail request:
Note: Without a confirmation number, an agent can only extend the USPS Hold Mail® request.
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- Only by visiting your local Post Office™ location and presenting one of the Acceptable Forms of Identification.
- If you are unable to visit your local Post Office™ location (still out of town, on vacation, etc.), you will need to call your local Post Office. You may locate the phone number and address using Post Office Locator.
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How long can I place mail on hold?
USPS Hold Mail® requests must be for a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 30 days. If you need mail held longer than 30 days, please sign up for a USPS Forward Mail service. Also, at least 3 days must elapse between the end of one USPS Hold Mail period and the start of the next one. For example, if you’re at the end of a 30-day USPS Hold Mail period, you can ask for another one on the 31st day, but it won't go into effect until after 3 days.
Can I authorize someone else to pick up my USPS Hold Mail?
You have the option to authorize a third party to pick up your held mail by providing written permission to the appropriate Post Office™ location. The third party that you authorize will need to present Acceptable Forms of Identification.
How do I get mail when my USPS Hold Mail request ends?
When submitting your request, you have the following options:
- Have your carrier deliver your accumulated mail on the last day of USPS Hold Mail service.
- Pick up your accumulated mail at your local Post Office™ location. Mail must be picked up within 10 days or it will be returned to the senders. Use our Post Office locator tool and select the "Pickup Hold Mail" box to find your specific pickup location.
Please note the following:
- You must present one of the Acceptable Forms of Identification if you choose to pick up your mail in person.
- If you pick up your accumulated mail in person, regular mail delivery will resume the next Postal business day.
- If you choose to have your letter carrier deliver your accumulated mail, only the mail that will fit in your mail receptacle will be delivered if you are not home. If the accumulated mail exceeds your mailbox size, your letter carrier will leave a PS Form 3849 - We ReDeliver for You! and return the overflow mail to your local Post Office location for pickup.
Can I pick up USPS Hold Mail earlier than originally requested?
If you pick up your mail earlier than the date supplied on the USPS Hold Mail request, the 'Hold' is automatically cancelled and regular mail delivery will resume on the next Postal business day.
My USPS Hold Mail did not start or stop as requested?
You may Contact Us and an agent will document your concern for the local Post Office™ personnel to address.
How will a Change of Address (COA) affect USPS Hold Mail?
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USPS Hold Mail with Active COA
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If the USPS Hold Mail Request is for the old / previous address AND you do not reside at that address:
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- You may NOT submit a USPS Hold Mail request for an address where you do not live.
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If the USPS Hold Mail request is for the new / current address:
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You may submit a normal USPS Hold Mail request.
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If the USPS Hold Mail request is for the old / previous address AND you are now residing at that address:
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The forwarding order must be canceled by the customer before you can submit a USPS Hold Mail request.
- Please go into your local Post Office™ facility to cancel the existing Change of Address (COA).
- After the COA has been canceled, you may submit your USPS Hold Mail request.
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USPS Hold Mail with COA Submitted Later
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If you submit a USPS Hold Mail request and later submit a COA, the COA overrides the USPS Hold Mail request (all held mail will be forwarded).
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Why can’t USPS® verify my identity online and how can I put my mail on hold?
Security and privacy are of high importance to USPS®. The current online USPS Hold Mail request process requires you to attempt identity verification. In some cases, individuals may be unable to complete online identity verification. If you are unable to verify your identity within the USPS Hold Mail application, you can request an identity verification code to be mailed to you. Follow the prompts in the USPS Hold Mail application to request the verification code. The letter will be sent via First-Class Mail® and will arrive within 3-5 business days. The code expires 90 days from the date of issue, after successful use, or if the address in your USPS.com account profile is edited prior to entering the verification code.
You may also visit your local Post Office™ location and complete PS Form 8076, Authorization to Hold Mail.
Requests made in person, or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777), must be accepted by close of business of your local Post Office™ location or the Customer Care Center for the request to be completed by the next delivery day.
Technical Assistance for Online USPS Hold Mail Service
- If you are having technical difficulty submitting a USPS Hold Mail request online, please Contact Us.
