How to Put Your Mail on Hold While You're Away

Last Updated: January 30, 2023 References

An overflowing mailbox or pile-up of packages at your doorstep broadcasts to would-be thieves that you aren't at home. If you're traveling and will be away from home for 30 days or fewer, avoid that risk by requesting that the US Postal Service (USPS) hold your mail until you get back. This service is free, and the mail that was held will be delivered on the day your hold request ends. If you plan to be gone for longer than 30 days, you can have your mail forwarded to you instead.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Submitting a Hold Mail Request

1
Create a USPS account to submit your request online. The easiest way to submit a Hold Mail request is online. Before you can use this service, however, you must create a free online account with USPS. Your username is unique to you and follows you wherever you live throughout the US. If you move, you don't have to create a new account.^{[2]
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- To create a USPS account, go to https://reg.usps.com/ and click the "Create Account" button.
2
Determine how long you need USPS to hold your mail. You can submit a Hold Mail request for a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 30 days. If you're going to be gone for more than 30 days, it may be more appropriate for you to have your mail forwarded.^{[3]
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- Even if you're going to be gone for more than 30 days, you can still have your mail held for a shorter period if you prefer. Just make sure the end date coincides with the date when you'll return home so you'll be there to get your accumulated mail.
- The period of your request is measured in calendar days, not postal business days.
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3
Decide how you want to receive your mail when the hold ends. Once the hold ends, you can pick up your mail at your local post office or have the carrier deliver the accumulated mail to your address. If you normally get a lot of mail or are expecting a lot of mail during the time you're going to be gone, it may be easier to go pick it up yourself.^{[4]
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- If you choose to let your mail carrier deliver the accumulated mail when the hold ends, they will only deliver as much as will fit in your mailbox. Any excess mail will be delivered at a later date.
4
Fill out the authorization form. The authorization form specifies your name and address and the beginning and ending dates for the period you want USPS to hold your mail. You can get the form at your local post office or download it at https://about.usps.com/forms/ps8076.pdf.^{[5]
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- The downloadable form isn't fillable, so you'll have to print it out and fill it out by hand. Write neatly in blue or black ink.
- If you submit your request online, you'll enter the same information you would normally enter on the authorization form.
- Even though you are providing your name, USPS holds mail for the entire address during the period requested — not just the mail addressed to you. If you have roommates, make sure they're okay with the request before you submit it.
5
Verify your identity to submit your request online. The online service asks you a series of questions to verify your identity. You must answer these questions correctly if you want to submit your request online. The questions are based on items in your credit report.^{[6]
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- Although your credit report is accessed, your credit score is not affected in any way by the identity verification process.
- If the USPS is unable to verify your identity online, you'll have to submit your request in person.
6
Visit your local post office to submit your request in person. If you want to submit your request in person, you must go to the post office that delivers mail to your home. If you submit your request at a different post office, your request may not go through.^{[7]
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- To locate the post office that delivers to your home, go to https://tools.usps.com/find-location.htm? and enter your city and state or ZIP code.
- Submit an in-person request at least 1 business day before you want the hold to start. Postal business days are Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays.^{[8]
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- You can also make a Hold Mail Request by calling the USPS Customer Service number at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).^{[9]
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7
Save the confirmation number for your request. When you submit your Hold Mail request, whether online or in person, you'll get a confirmation number. Put it in a safe place. You'll need it if you want to change the details of your Hold Mail request.^{[10]
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- If you submit your request online, the confirmation number will be generated on-screen. You might want to take a screencap of the page. You'll also get an email with the confirmation number. If you don't see this email in your inbox within a few minutes, check your spam folder.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Changing or Canceling a Hold Mail Request

1
Locate the confirmation number for your request. If you want to have your hold period end earlier or want to cancel it entirely, you'll have to provide your confirmation number. This is true regardless of whether you're changing your request online or in person.^{[11]
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- If you cannot find your confirmation number, you won't be able to change your Hold Mail request online at all.
- Without a confirmation number, USPS agents can only extend the period during which your mail is held. They cannot change the start date or move the end date to an earlier date.
2
Visit your local post office in person. USPS agents at your local post office can edit or cancel your Hold Mail request provided you have your confirmation number and a valid form of identification. It may take up to 1 day for any change you've requested to take effect.^{[12]
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- Acceptable forms of primary identification include any government-issued photo ID, such as a state ID card, driver's license, university ID, or passport.
- In addition to your primary identification, bring a document to prove your address, such as a copy of your lease or mortgage, your voter or vehicle registration card, or a utility bill addressed to you at your address.^{[13]
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- If you want to cancel your Hold Mail request, you can simply pick up your accumulated mail at your local post office. Once you pick up your accumulated mail, the Hold Mail request will automatically be canceled and regular mail delivery will resume.
3
Call your local post office if you're still out of town. If you find that you're going to be out of town longer than you thought when you submitted your original request, you can extend your request with a phone call. You do not need your confirmation number to extend your request. However, it's generally better if you have it.^{[14]
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- You can also extend your request online through your USPS account, provided you have your confirmation number.
- To get the phone number for your local post office, go to https://tools.usps.com/find-location.htm? and enter your city and state or ZIP code.
4
Write a letter of permission if you want someone else to pick up your mail. If you're held out of town longer than you originally planned and don't want to extend your Hold Mail request, you can also get a local friend or family member to pick up your mail at the local post office for you. Write a letter of permission and sign it, then send it to the person who will be picking up your mail.^{[15]
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- The letter doesn't have to be long or complex. Simply write "I authorize [First Name Last Name] to pick up my accumulated mail." Print your name under your signature and provide your address. You might also include your phone number just in case a USPS agent wants to contact you.
- The person who comes to pick up your mail must have a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, military ID, university ID, or passport.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Forwarding Your Mail to a Temporary Address

1
Change your address to have your mail forwarded piece by piece. Either online or at your local post office, complete the change of address (COA) application. You can specify the date you want forwarding service to begin and the date you want it to end. After the end date, mail delivery will resume at your original address.^{[16]
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- You can use COA for a period as short as 15 days or as long as a year. However, if you're going to be gone for fewer than 30 days, it's typically better to have USPS hold your mail.
- Mail forwarded through COA may take a week or two to arrive at your temporary address. Keep this in mind when you set the duration for forwarding.
2
Use premium mail forwarding if you want all your mail once a week. With premium mail forwarding, most of the mail addressed to you at your home address is bundled together on Wednesday of each week and sent to you at your temporary address using Priority Mail.^{[17]
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- If you have a USPS account online, you'll get an email notification with the tracking number for your weekly mail package.
3
Set up a USPS account if you want to enroll in forwarding online. To use the USPS's forwarding or COA services online, you must have an active USPS account and a major credit or debit card. To set up your account initially, you'll need a valid email address.^{[18]
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- Go to https://reg.usps.com/ and click "Create Account" if you don't already have an account with USPS. If you do have an account, simply enter your username and password. You only need one account to access any USPS online services.
- When you request a COA, your credit or debit card will be charged $1.05. Although there is no charge for a COA, this charge is used to verify your identity.
- For premium residential forwarding, use a major credit or debit card to pay the enrollment fee and weekly fees for the duration of your request. As of 2019, the enrollment fee is $19.95 if you enroll online, plus $21.10 for each week of service.
4
Visit your local post office in person to make your request. If you don't want to set up a USPS account online, a local USPS agent can help you get your mail forwarded. To request forwarding or COA services in person, bring a government-issued photo ID as well as a secondary ID as proof of residence. Your secondary ID could be a lease, mortgage statement, or utility bill.^{[19]
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- If you're not sure which post office to use, visit https://tools.usps.com/find-location.htm? and enter your city and state or ZIP code.
- For in-person forwarding requests, use cash, personal check, or a major credit or debit card to pay the enrollment fee and weekly fees for the duration of your request. As of 2019, the enrollment fee is $21.10 for in-person requests, plus $21.10 for each week of service.
- There is no charge for a COA request made in person.

Community Q&A
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Can a registered letter be held while I am on vacation?

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A Hold Mail request applies to all mail and packages delivered to your address during the period you specify in the request.
Question

Do I have to pay when putting my mail on hold?

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There is no charge for a Hold Mail request or for forwarding through a change of address (COA). If you want premium forwarding, you will have to pay an enrollment fee plus a weekly service charge.
Question

When you submit a hold mail request, does USPS leave a note in your mailbox or anything of that sort?

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USPS will not leave any notices in your mailbox regarding your Hold Mail request. When your Hold Mail request ends, USPS will leave a delivery notice if all of the accumulated mail wouldn't fit in your mailbox.

Warnings

This article covers putting your mail on hold in the US. If you live in another country, the process may be different. Contact your local post office for more information.

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If you choose to pick up your mail in person at your local post office at the end of your Hold Mail period, you have 10 days to do this. Any mail not picked up within those 10 days will be returned to the sender.^{[21]
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