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When preparing for a vacation or extended trip, managing your mail effectively ensures peace of mind and prevents your mailbox from being overwhelmed while you're away. Here are a few options to keep your mail under control during your time away.
The USPS can hold your mail for up to 30 days.
Ideal for: Shorter absences. When you return, you can either retrieve your mail from the post office or have it delivered to your home. This keeps your mailbox from overflowing, which could signal your absence to potential thieves.
Cost: Free.
To enroll:
Take care of your overwhelming mailbox.
Go digital
This domestic service forwards all your mail from your permanent address to a temporary one, delivering weekly for a minimum of two weeks and up to one year.
Ideal for: Split residencies, college students, executives, individuals caring for family members or those on an extended vacation.
Cost: One flat fee for each weekly Priority Mail shipment, plus an application fee.
To enroll: Sign up online or at your local post office.
Before your departure, file a temporary change of address, which is good for 15 days to one year. Plan ahead. Although mail forwarding may begin within 3 business days of your submitted request, it's best to allow up to 2 weeks.
Cost: $1.10 identity verification fee.
To enroll: Sign up online.
Gone for a while? Make sure your home is protected.
Stay safe
The USPS also allows you to digitally preview your mail, as well as manage and track packages scheduled to arrive soon. Recipients can view grayscale images of the address-side exterior of letter-sized mail. Users can preview their deliveries anytime and from anywhere on a computer, tablet or mobile device.
Notifications arrive via email, on the Informed Delivery dashboard and through the USPS Mobile application. If you’ve missed a delivery, you can also reschedule it.
Ideal for: Anyone who wants to stay updated on incoming mail and packages or who frequently misses deliveries
Cost: Free.
To enroll: Sign up online.
All your important mail will be routed to the PO Box, allowing you to regularly check it at your convenience or retain it securely until your return.
Ideal for: Frequent travelers
Cost: $5-$100+ per month (depending on box size)
To reserve: Visit online
A virtual mailbox is a convenient way to manage your mail digitally, giving you access anytime, anywhere via your smartphone, tablet, or computer. These services ensure your mail is handled securely at staffed, full-service receiving centers.
Ideal for: Digital nomads, small business owners
Cost: Prices vary from service to service
To enroll: Sign up online
Managing your mail while away doesn’t need to be stressful. By planning ahead and using these strategies, you can focus on enjoying your travels without worrying about the pile of mail awaiting you at home.
Use USPS's Hold Mail service to pause delivery for up to 30 days. Request online or at your local post office.
Set up Temporary Mail Forwarding with USPS to redirect mail to another address
Informed Delivery is a free service from USPS that lets you preview your mail online before it arrives in your mailbox.
A secure mailbox at the post office, ideal for travelers, keeps your mail safe until pickup.
Switch to paperless billing and digital subscriptions for easier management.
A service that scans and lets you access your mail online, perfect for frequent travelers.
Protect your home...
Heading out on vacation? Follow these easy tips to secure your home and enjoy peace of mind while you're away.
