How to Put Your Mail On Hold With The Post Office Online

If you are going away on a business trip or vacation for 3 or more days, you might want to notify the Post Office to put your mail on hold. Here is How To Put Your Mail On Hold With The Post Office Online!

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• USPS Authorization To Hold Mail Form

Instructions

1. The USPS allows you to put your mail on hold for a minimum of 3 days up to a maximum of 30 days. You can put your personal home mail on hold, or hold mail for a business address also.

2. 

   The easiest way to put your mail on hold is to go online to the United States Postal Service website, www.usps.com. On the main page of the website, there is a section that says RECEIVING MAIL. On the drop down list here, there is a choice that says PUT MAIL ON HOLD. Click on this link and you will be taken to the Hold Mail page. There is a box that says "Please Enter Your 5-digit Zip Code:". Put in your zip code and click on "Go", to get started.

3. 

   The next page asks you to fill in your CUSTOMER INFORMATION. This information includes your FIRST NAME, MIDDLE INITIAL, LAST NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER. Click on CONTINUE, verify your information, and click CONTINUE again.

4. 

   The next page asks you to put in your BEGIN and RESUME dates. It also lets you specify whether you want the Post Office to deliver your accumulated mail on a specific date, or hold it for you to pick it up at your local Post Office. Click on CONTINUE, verify that the displayed summary of your request is correct, and click YES if it is correct.

   Your Confirmation page will be displayed, which you can then print out. It contains a confirmation number for you to use in case you need to modify your Hold Mail order or cancel it.

5. 

   While putting your mail on hold with the Post Office online is the easiest way to do it, you can also have your mail held by going to your local Post Office. Ask a postal window clerk for a PS Form 8076, Authorization To Hold Mail. Fill out the required information, sign it, and give it back to the Clerk. You can also fill out the form and drop it in the mail. The card is postage paid and doesn't cost you anything to mail it.

Tips & Warnings

• The Post Office will not hold mail for less than 3 days. If you are going to be gone for just a day or two, then you have to let your mail be delivered to your address, or arrange for someone you know to pick up your mail while you're gone.

• After 30 days of having your mail on hold, the Post Office will resume delivery. If you are going to be gone longer than that, you might want to consider having your mail forwarded to you temporarily.

• Keep your Confirmation Number handy. If you are away and need to come home sooner or stay longer, you can go on any computer, access the USPS website, and change your Hold Mail Order.

• You cannot put your mail on hold by phone. It must be done online or by filling out the PS Form 8076.

Resources

• USPS Website