Going on vacation is exciting, but it can be stressful to think about all the things you need to do before you leave. One of the things that often gets forgotten is stopping mail delivery.
It’s important to do this so that your mailbox doesn’t fill up while you’re away, which could signal to potential burglars that your home is empty. In this tutorial, we’ll go over the different ways you can stop mail delivery while on vacation.
Option 1: Hold Mail
The first and most common way to stop mail delivery is to put a hold on your mail. This means that the post office will hold all of your mail at the post office until you return from vacation.
You can request a hold online or in person at your local post office branch. Here’s how:
- Go to the USPS website and select “Hold Mail” from the menu.
- Fill out the form with your name, address, and vacation dates.
- Select whether you want to pick up your mail at the post office or have it delivered when you return.
- Submit the form and receive a confirmation email with a confirmation number.
Note:
Be sure to request a hold at least three days before you leave for vacation so that the post office has sufficient time to process your request.
Option 2: Forward Mail
If you’re going on an extended vacation or moving permanently, forwarding your mail might be a better option for you. This means that all of your mail will be forwarded to a new address until you return from vacation or permanently move.
You can request a forward online or in person at your local post office branch. Here’s how:
- Go to the USPS website and select “Forward Mail” from the menu.
- Fill out the form with your name, address, and new address.
- Select whether you want to start the forward immediately or on a specific date.
Note:
Be sure to request a forward at least two weeks before you leave for vacation so that the post office has sufficient time to process your request.
Option 3: Ask a Neighbor to Collect Your Mail
If you don’t want to put a hold on your mail or forward it, you can ask a trusted neighbor or friend to collect your mail for you while you’re away. This is a good option if you’re only going away for a short period of time and don’t expect to receive much mail. Be sure to give your neighbor or friend clear instructions on where your mailbox is located and what days they should collect your mail.
Note:
Make sure that whoever collects your mail has access to your mailbox and is trustworthy.
In Conclusion
Stopping mail delivery while on vacation is an important step in ensuring that your home remains safe while you’re away. Whether you choose to put a hold on your mail, forward it, or ask a neighbor to collect it, make sure that you take action well in advance of your departure date. By doing so, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your mailbox won’t be overflowing when you return from vacation.