Receive Mail & Packages

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Going out of town or want to change where your mail is delivered? Learn about all the ways to handle your incoming USPS ® mail and packages and choose the best option.

Person retrieving mail from package mailbox.

Change of Address Security Enhancements: As of May 1, 2023, when you submit a change of address request online, you need to take additional steps to verify your identity. Learn More

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Get Informed Delivery

Now both business and personal accounts can preview images* of mail and manage incoming packages on one dashboard without entering tracking numbers. From the Informed Delivery ® dashboard, you can also sign up for text or email notifications, schedule delivery alerts, request Redelivery, enter USPS Delivery Instructions ® , and more.

USPS Electronic Signature Online

Informed Delivery for personal accounts includes USPS Electronic Signature Online ® (USPS eSOL ® ), a feature that allows you to digitally sign for incoming packages that require a signature including Priority Mail Express ® , Signature Confirmation ™ , and those insured for $500 or more. USPS carriers will leave your packages in your mailbox or at your preferred delivery location if they are too large to fit in your mailbox. Get Started Now with Informed Delivery *NOTE: Black and white (grayscale) images show the front of the outside of letter-sized envelopes and mailpieces that are processed through USPS ® automated equipment.

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Simple Ways to Manage Your Mail

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Standard Forward Mail & Change of Address

  1. Opt in online to receive a verification code or link on your mobile phone OR go to a Post Office ™ location with an acceptable photo ID to complete the identity verification process in person.
  2. Pay the $1.10 identity verification fee.

After your change of address request is approved, you'll get confirmation as well as instant access to valuable coupons provided by third-party retailers in your area. Your change of address request lasts for 12 months, but you can pay to extend it for 6, 12, or 18 more months.

Premium Forwarding Mail

Taking a long vacation or an out-of-town assignment? For a weekly fee, you can have most mail sent to you each week with our Premium Forwarding Service Residential ® . The temporary service is available for periods as short as 2 weeks and up to 1 year.

USPS Package Intercept

With USPS Package Intercept ® service, you can redirect domestic packages, letters, and flats with a tracking or extra services barcode as long as the items have not yet been delivered or released for delivery. Either the sender or the recipient can request to have a shipment redirected as Priority Mail ® back to the sender's address or to a Post Office™ location as a Hold For Pickup.

Reserve a PO Box

Want to separate home and business mail or keep your address private? Reserving a PO Box™ is a great way to get your mail when and where you want it. PO Boxes are available in a range of costs and sizes. Just find one online near you, complete the application, pay with a credit card, and bring the printed form, your emailed receipt, and two IDs to the Post Office.

USPS Hold Mail

If you're going out of town for a while, you can submit a USPS Hold Mail ® request online and we'll keep your mail safely at your local Post Office until you return. You can schedule the service up to 30 days in advance of your date or by 2 AM CST (Mon.–Sat.) on the start date.

For enhanced security, USPS now requires you to create or sign in to your USPS.com account to verify your identity and current address before submitting a new online USPS Hold Mail request.

Hold For Pickup

Whether you’re shipping from a retail store or printing your own shipping label with postage, you can always elect to Hold For Pickup. Hold For Pickup allows the recipient to collect a package at the local Post Office. If you're the recipient and you'd like to redirect an incoming package to a Post Office for pickup, you can select Hold For Pickup using USPS Package Intercept ® .

Schedule Redelivery Service

If we missed you when we tried to deliver your package or mail, you can get it redelivered by making a request online. Use the tracking barcode for your item and schedule Redelivery on a day that's more convenient for you. In select markets, recipients can also schedule Redelivery to a USPS ® Smart Locker. If you have your tracking number, you can also schedule Redelivery via USPS Tracking ® .

USPS Delivery Instructions*

If your package doesn’t fit in your mailbox and you won’t be home to receive it, you can provide USPS Delivery Instructions online and authorize your carrier to leave it in a specified location. Just track your package and select “Delivery Instructions.” You can request that your package be left with a neighbor or held at a Post Office for pickup. For the cost of additional postage, you can have your package sent to a different domestic address. You can also change your shipping service option, upgrading to Priority Mail Express ® service or Priority Mail ® service, as well as add insurance and extra services.**

* Service is only available for packages sent domestically.
** Not available for packages sent to APO/FPO/DPO addresses. Other restrictions may apply.