Who can schedule and accept a Redelivery?
The addressee, a responsible member of the addressee's family, the addressee’s agent, or an employee may schedule and accept a Redelivery as long as they can provide all of the necessary Redelivery information.
What are the Guidelines for Authorized Agents?
The term "addressee’s agent" refers to someone authorized to represent the addressee. An addressee agent is usually a friend of the family who’s authorized to pick up a package.
- The item can only be redelivered to the address originally stated on the mailpiece.
- On a Redelivery, the addressee (or an authorized agent) must be present to sign for an Accountable Mailpiece (For example, an item with Signature Confirmation).
Businesses can notify their local Post Office of all agents who are authorized to pickup and sign for Accountable Mail. Other acceptable forms of identification for these authorized agents are company ID, uniforms with a company name, or a company vehicle. However, without a letter on file, the Post Office will verify identification of any individual it does not recognize.
Is the Letter Carrier Required to Verify an Authorized Agent?
The carrier is not required to verify that the person accepting the package at the home or business is truly the "authorized agent." By being inside the home or business it is assumed they are associated with the person the item is for. However, if an agent comes to the Postal Office™ to pickup an item, with acceptable forms of identification (including a valid photo ID) would be required.
Can a customer have someone else pickup their mail piece?
If picking up mail for someone else, the customer needs either:
- to have been named by the recipient on the online Schedule a Redelivery application when selecting the "Customer Pickup" option.
- Pickup requires the PS Form 3849 to be signed by the recipient and to have the name of the customer picking up the package printed on the back.
- Customer picking up the package requires acceptable forms of identification that matches the name printed on the PS Form 3849
- written authorization (and their own valid photo ID).
- Authorization can be written directly on the delivery notice (on the back of PS Form 3849) or on plain paper (simply a note on paper saying that "a name" has permission to pick up mail for "my name", and then it needs to be signed) from the addressee.
- to have the Redelivery Confirmation email or text message if the addressee selected the “USPS Smart Parcel Locker” Redelivery option. The person picking up the item does not need to be an Authorized Agent. See USPS® Smart Parcel Locker or more information.
If a person has the same last name and address of another person that mail is addressed to, they cannot pick up accountable mail on the other person's behalf unless a standing order is in place. Or, if a customer is sending someone else to pick up an accountable mail item, they can follow the instructions on the back of the PS Form 3849.
A Standing Delivery Order on file is considered permanent authorization (unless revoked).
