Are you planning to be away from home for a few weeks or even longer?
There is always a lot to do when you return home after a vacation. One of the first and most daunting tasks is usually sorting through a huge pile of mail. There is also the concern that porch pirates may steal a precious parcel while you’re away from home. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to prevent this situation by getting in contact with the United States Postal Service.
So, let’s learn all about the hold mail end date meaning USPS.
Contents
About The Mail Holding Service
You won’t have to worry about your mailbox overflowing when you arrange the mail holding service. This is a request for your local post office branch to stop delivering mail for a specified period. Once the period is over, your regular delivery service will resume.
However, there are certain restrictions that you need to be aware of. Only one member of your household can request the service for a particular period. Fortunately, the service covers all mail that is due to be delivered to your address, regardless of the recipient.
How long can you hold mail?
You can choose to have your mail held for between three and thirty days. The United States Postal Service will deliver all your held mail at the end of the selected period. You will start to receive your regular mail the following day.
If you need delivery to be suspended for longer, you can sign up for Premium Forwarding Services. You can do this by visiting your local post office branch or via the United States Postal Service website. You will be able to have your post temporarily forwarded to another address. This is a good option if you are housesitting or staying with a relative for a while.
The Hold Mail End Date Meaning USPS
This information lets the carrier know when they need to start delivering your post again. You need to select both the start and end dates when arranging the service. The start date refers to the first day you will be away from home and do not want your post to be delivered, and the end date is when you are sure you will be back.
What Happens When The Service Ends?
In most cases, you will start to receive your post once the specified end date arrives. However, only post that can fit throughout your letterbox will be delivered by the carrier if you’re not at home. If the post exceeds the size of your mailbox, the carrier will leave a PS Form 3849.
The overflow post will then be taken to your local post office branch for you to collect in person. In this case, you will need to bring the form with you along with some type of ID.
Collecting post on your behalf…
Alternatively, you can arrange to collect your held mail from the post office branch when you are ready. Again, you will need to bring some form of ID. Regular delivery will start again the day after you collect your post.
You can also choose to have someone else collect your post on your behalf. They will need to bring their ID and written authorization from you. All held post must be collected within ten days of the selected end date.
How To Set Up The Service?
There are four main ways to arrange mail holding service with USPS. This allows you to choose the most convenient method. Let’s take a look at the different options and what they involve.
Over the phone
You can arrange this service by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS. Tell the agent that you want to arrange a USPS Vacation Mail Hold and follow the steps outlined by the agent. However, the agent needs to verify your identity, which can be a bit tricky over the phone.
By post
Pick up the necessary form in advance and complete it when you are ready. You can then give the form to your mail carrier when you see them. You can also place the form in a Postal collection box or your own mailbox.
In-person
You can visit your local post office branch and make the request in person by completing an official form. If you’re not sure where your nearest branch is, you can use the post office locator on the USPS website.
You need to arrive at the post office branch in plenty of time before the end of the business day. The request will then be completed by the next delivery date if necessary. However, it is a good idea to do this a few days in advance if possible.
Online
You can make a request by visiting the United States Postal Service website. If you already have an account, you simply need to log in. Otherwise, you will need to create an account.
The great thing about choosing this method is that you can arrange the service from the comfort of your home. Unlike phone and in-person requests, there are no time restrictions. As long as you make the request before 02:00 Central Time, your mail can start being held the following day.
Not for all addresses…
However, it is important to note that online submission of a hold is not available for all addresses. In some cases, you may find that your online request is unsuccessful, and you will have to visit a post office branch and complete the form.
You also need to be able to verify your identity online. In some cases, you will need to wait for a USPS identity verification code. It typically takes between three and five days for the code to arrive by First Class Mail. This could be an issue if you are hurrying to the airport to start your vacation.
Required Information
No matter which method you choose, you will need to complete a Hold Mail form. You will need to provide certain information to prove your identity and arrange the service.
This includes:
- A US Government-issued ID or a passport.
- Your address, phone number, and email address.
- The desired start and end date.
- How do you want to start receiving your post again?
Confirmation email
Once your request has been processed, you will receive a confirmation number. Depending on the method you choose, this can be given in person, sent via email, or given over the phone. You need to keep this confirmation number safe in case you need to make changes to your request.
Stopping the service early
If you return home early, you may want to start receiving your post before the specified end date. You can edit the end date online using the confirmation number. You can also do this by calling the Customer Care Center and providing the confirmation number. However, you will not be able to cancel, edit, or extend your mail hold request if you lose this number.
Automatic Mail Holding
If you have been away for a while, you may forget to request the service. However, you could find that no post is waiting for you when you return. From time to time, carriers arrange this service in certain circumstances. Postal workers use their judgment when it comes to delivering mail. If they feel that it is unsafe or unwise to deliver post to a certain address, they may hold the service.
This can be done in the following circumstances:
- Access to your mailbox is blocked (whether by snow, vehicles, or something else).
- There is a loose dog on the premises.
- Natural disasters or hazardous conditions.
- Your mailbox is full.
- A mail hold was requested without your knowledge.
If you stop receiving your post regularly, it is a good idea to get in contact with the United States Postal Service. If your post has been suspended, there will be a record of the reason. A postal employee will be able to look into the issue for you and resolve it. It is best to try and do this in person, as you will be asked to produce an official form of ID.
Waiting For A Delivery From USPS?
If your delivery came and you weren’t home, you’ll want to find out How Long Does USPS Hold Packages, or perhaps USPS Says Delivered But No Package and what steps to take, or to avoid it altogether; learn more about What Is USPS Informed Delivery?
You can also make sure you’re available for your parcel by taking a look at Does USPS Have First Class Tracking, along with Why Is USPS Tracking Not Updating, so you know what to do, and finally, Can You Track A USPS Package Without A Tracking Number in 2023?
You might be sending a package and would like to know what the difference is between USPS Priority Mail vs First Class, including How Fast IS USPS First Class, or how about learning When Do USPS Trucks Go Out For Delivery as well as What Does Available For Pickup Mean USPS?
Final Thoughts
The USPS Hold Mail service is a great way to make sure your mail will be safe while you’re away from home. The service is completely free of charge and is available for up to thirty days. However, you can also request the service for just two or three days if you’re going away for the weekend.
It is a good idea to arrange the service as far in advance as possible. The end date specifies when you want to start receiving your post again. Your post will start being delivered either on this date or the following day.
Enjoy your holiday knowing your mail is safe!