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How to hold mail at the post office

 

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photo by Alpha

There are times when getting mail delivered to the house may be inconvenient. It may be because you are going to be away on vacation or it may be a business trip. No matter what the reason, you don't want your mail to pile up in your mailbox and give thieves a reason to break into your home.  Don't worry, stopping your mail is very easy and there are several ways to do it. If you are in the area, you can stop into the post office, you can reach them on the phone and you can even use the Internet.

Instructions
Step 1
Hold that mail

You are going to be away from your home. Mail sitting in your mail box is a red flag to burglars. You could have someone pick your mail up everyday. The easier alternative is to tell the post office to hold your mail. If you will be away between 3-30 days they will keep your mail safe for you.

Step 2
Make your request online

Go to www.usps.com. Click on the pull down menu receiving mail and you will see the hold mail option. Click on it and a new page will pop up. Place your zip code in the create a request block and hit go. A new screen for customer information will come up. Fill it in information and hit continue. They will verify your address and then hit next. You now create a request which includes the date to start the hold and the date to resume delivery.You then let them know if you will pick up your mail or you want them to deliver it all to you at one time. You can also give them additional information about how to deliver it to you. Click continue and complete your request.

Step 3
Call in a hold

If you prefer, you can call the postal service to stop delivery. Dial 1-800-275-8777 (ASK-USPS). From the main menu, take prompt #4, delivery service. You will choose the option to hold mail. When you want to have your mail delivered,  you will call them and tell them to resume delivery. It is all very simple, just follow the prompts.

Step 4
Stop delivery in person

If you are close to your local post office you can visit and stop your delivery in person. Ask the employees for a copy of form PS 8076, Authorization to Hold Mail. You will fill in your name and address , the beginning and ending date and whether you will be picking up your mail or want it delivered to your home when you return. You then sign the form and turn it in. You can also take it home to fill out and mail it in.

Step 5
Summary

The next time you are going to be away, take the worry out of mail delivery and let the post office hold your mail for you.


photo by Ted Major
Things Needed
A form PS 8076
A computer to file an online hold request
A phone to do a phone in hold request
Tips & Warnings   
The post office will not hold your mail for more than 30 days or less than 3
You can request a stop up to 14 days in advance
For same day online stop, the request must be submitted by 2AM CST
Online service is not available to all zip codes

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