Finally, the long-awaited vacation is here! You can’t keep calm. All you want is walk out and have some fun. But here’s the issue: your mails! You are worried that you may lose some mails or some thugs might tamper with your mailbox and access all your mails, thus compromising your confidentiality. There’s a solution; apply for the USPS hold mail service.
However, the service is exclusively available for a minimum of 3-days and a maximum of 30.
During this time, you’ll have the peace of mind since you’ll not be worried about thugs stealing your mails. On the other hand, you will not be afraid that anyone will access and hide your mails and assume they never got them.
You only need to alert the post office or the local branch to hold your mails. Alternatively, you can do it online by accessing the US postal service hold mail portal. Otherwise, make a call at the post office and make a USPS hold mail request.
To help you understand this service better, let’s discuss further.
About USPS Hold Mail Service
We’ve just mentioned; you cannot put mail on hold for more than 30 days. Therefore, if you are considering taking more extended vacations like two months, you should consider applying for post office forward mail services. With this service, you will personally get all mails wherever you’ll be. Thus, stay up to date with every detail necessary during your vacation.
Nonetheless, if you are using a P.O Box, there’s no need to request for a US post office hold mail service since you can allow your mails to pile up to a maximum of 30 days. But there’s one disadvantage of allowing your mails to pile up for this long.
Consider a scenario where the weather changes and the mails are rained on? What happens? Your mails get messed up and reading them may not be possible. As a result, you will lose all the essential details therein. Not worth it. That’s why; if you do not want the post office to hold your mails, then, it is worth having someone trustworthy picking your mails.
Nevertheless, USPS hold mail vacation services are the most secure and safe option. What’s more? On your return, you can choose to have the courier bring the mails at your doorsteps, or you get them personally at the post office.
However, if you decide to pick the mails, remember to carry your ID so that the officials can verify if you are the authorized owner of the mails. Definitely; that is crucial.
But there’s one thing to note about USPS hold mail service; USPS holds mails per address. That means; if only a few people in the same family are going on vacation and the rest of the family members staying, as long as you are sharing the postal address; all mails will be held. This happens because the service is not available to individuals (as long as the postal address is the same).
Now, you may be wondering when you should inform through LiteBlue PostalEASE service about your vacation, right? There’s no pressure. You can notify them 30-days before your vacation or several days before your next delivery hits.
It’s crucial to note that once your vacation is over, the next day all your mails will be sent to your mailbox (if you chose not to go for them). However, if your mailbox cannot accommodate all your mails or if there are large parcels that can’t fit in there; the post office requests you to pick them from the post office.
Things to Consider before USPS hold Mail Request
What’s the duration of your vacation?
- See, we have stated that the hold mail service never exceeds 30 days. Since the post office hold mail services start three days after you commence your vacation till one month is over; you need to give clear dates. Otherwise, post office might bring your mails while you are still away. That’s risky?
- So, indicate the actual date you will be going for the vacation and when you’ll be resuming since the post office courier won’t bring mails till you return.
When do you need to submit the request?
- The method you use to contact the post office requesting for hold USPS mail services determines when you need to submit the request. This is because; the mode you use to contact them determines how long the process will take to have your request complete. Let’s explain a little further.
- It will take a day to process your request if you personally go to the post office to request that mails be held. Also, if you make them a call to make the request, they will still take a day to process your request.
- However, if you want to access the LiteBlue portal to make the request online, then, ensure to do so before 2a.m. EST. Doing so, ensures approval of your application the same day. Otherwise, it will be approved the next day, which may end up inconveniencing you.
- One thing though you need to remember is; if you submit the request online during postal holidays then make a mistake that may require the intervention of a clerk, you may not get help.
How do you submit the USPS hold mail service request?
- Most people don’t know how to stop USPS mail. Well, you won’t be one of them anymore since we will give you several options to do this. Why? Different people have different ways of doing things. It all depends on which way you find easy for you, convenient and efficient.
- To ensure that every customer is comfortable while requesting for a hold of their mails; post office forward mail offers three options to use to submit the request.
Methods to Hold Your USPS Mails
As we have said, there are three USPS hold mail methods that can help you have your mails on hold until your vacation is over. Here, however, we shall discuss in details; the three options-the choice is yours according to your preferences.
1. Hold Mail at Post Office
Requesting for the hold USPS mail at post office is the right and most appropriate option for you if you live nearby or are just passing by the post office on your way home. Nonetheless, avoid going to the postal offices during the lunch breaks and other non-working hours plus, during the USPS holidays.
On visiting the post office, ask the US clerk to give you the PS form 8076. On the USPS hold mail form, you will be required to fill in any details that relate to the postal hold mail service so that the post office can get clear information pertaining to your vacation.
You should, therefore, be ready to give information such as the date your vacation commences and when it ends. Also, please give your name as it is in the USPS ePayroll and the current mail address among other details necessary as requested on the form.
The excitement of going for the vacation can, at times make people give the wrong details even when they are reading the content on the form correctly. To avoid such scenarios, be sure to confirm if you have given the correct information on the USPS stop mail form.
Once sure you have all details correct, sign the form and hand it over to the official. In return, the official should give you a number. Keep the number in a safe place. You may need it in case you need to make changes.
2. Hold Mail Via Phone
If you live far from the post office, going to the post office to request for the post office hold mail service may be unrealistic. No trouble. You can use the USPS hold mail phone number to get in touch with one of the clerks. Nonetheless, here too, it is crucial to consider the working days as well as hours of the USPS.
Calling during these days and hours is a sure way to ensure that there will be a clerk waiting to answer your call to accord you the necessary support professionally. US postal service hold mail customer service is accessible via 1-800-275-8777.
Set yourself ready to give the information necessary to make your application a success. Such include your ID number, name and postal address as well dates of your vacation. In this case, too, you will be given a confirmation number. Safely keep it just in case there are changes you deem necessary after the call.
Well, I do not know the business hours of the postal service! You lament? No trouble, here they are:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (ET)
Weekend: Saturday: 8:00a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (ET)
Sunday: Closed
3. Hold Mail Via Website
Though through a study conducted in America, research shows that only 37 percent like paying for their bills online, it is necessary to have a clear guide on how to hold mails online. This is especially the right choice because it saves you the time and cost of travelling to the post office.
To successfully use this method, you need to access the LiteBlue portal. Here’s a step-by-step guide to put mail on hold without any trouble. In fact, you don’t need any assistance. The key thing is to follow this guide keenly:
a. Access The USPS’S Main Site
You can only access the online form after logging in to the official page, which is www.usps.com. Ensure you open this site on a new tab so that you don’t lose this step-by-step guide.
You need it! Once the site loads, try to trace the “track and manage” option. While on that category; find, “Hold mail” option and open it by clicking it. Alternatively, you can click on the “Quick tools” option to access the “Hold mail” option.
b. Confirm Eligibility
First thing after accessing LiteBlue online to request for US post office hold mail; is to confirm if you’re eligible to the service since not all addresses are eligible. How do you do this? It’s easy!
On the “Hold mail” option, enter your mail address, official name, email address, ID and the like. Now, it’s worth stating here that if you give the wrong details; you won’t get the details you are looking for.
So, enter the correct details. Once you enter your details, click on the “Check Availability” option to see if you are eligible. If you are eligible; good! Proceed and apply for USPS stop mail services.
If you aren’t eligible, a message will pop up, “Sorry, online hold mail services aren’t available for this address, but you can still request one at your local post office. Or, try another address.”
c. Enter the Start and End Dates of The Mail Hold Service
If your address is available, the section that allows you to enter the dates of the start and end of the mail hold service will become active. As a result, it becomes possible for you to enter the USPS hold mail service dates.
Remember we mentioned that you can choose to either collect the mails by yourself at the postal office or to have the mailman bring them to you once your vacation is over? Well, here’s where to state your preferred option of having the emails reach you on the day after your vacation.
Where you need to give more information; you have some more space to enter not more than 255 characters. Once all is in order as per the requirement, proceed.
d. Submit Your Request
Congratulations! You are getting closer to your finish line in submitting the USPS hold mail request. But just before you walk out to pack in readiness of your vacation; wisdom says you should confirm if every detail on your online form is correct.
Sure that all is correct? Comfortably, click on the “Schedule Mail Option” button. Otherwise, you can click on the “Submit” option.
It should take a few minutes for the site to successfully process your request. Usually, the post office administrator sends you a letter with the exact details you have entered for you to confirm if they are correct. In addition, you’ll receive an email with the same information still for confirmation purposes.
Considering that you do not have a laptop, iPad, or desktop, yet you want to access the LiteBlue online hold mail services, what do you do? Use the App.
4. Hold Mail Via USPS Mobile App
Sitting down with your laptop or walking to your post office can be impossible when there’s hardly enough time to get to your destination. Having an Android or iOS phone can save you lots of troubles when applying for the United States postal service hold mail services.
See, you just need to download the “USPS mobile” App on your phone. That takes a few minutes, right? You can access this app on the App Store. Also, you can access it from the play store. Whichever you want to use; go ahead.
On successfully installing the App, you can now access the LiteBlue login page and apply for the US post office hold mail service. What’s more? The App comes with a couple more advantages. For instant, you can change your current mail address, ship online, find locations, track packages, purchase stamps, and much more.
You see? This is a must-have App, right?
Some Advice Regarding the USPS Mail Hold
Just before we call it over, it is necessary to give you some piece of advice. It will go a long way. We’ll start with the crucial things:
Request for Mail Hold in Good Time
Timeliness matters. While you may console yourself by convincing yourself that you will rely on the mobile phone App at any time you want, it is necessary to avoid the last minute rush. You see, mobile phones may crush and cause inconveniences while you are just about to leave.
Therefore, as soon as you know that it is only 30 days to your vacation date, request for the US postal service hold mail to avoid last hour rush as well as possible inconveniences.
You can cancel or edit the vacation hold mail request
You may fear to apply for the USPS hold mail service if the vacation has not yet been confirmed. That may make you want to request for this service at the last minute. Well, there’s no need to worry because there is a section on the LiteBlue portal that allows you to make changes whenever necessary.
As long as you have the number you were given after applying for the US postal service hold mail vacation service; you can always edit or cancel your request successfully whenever necessary.
Always Contact the USPS Whenever You Encounter Challenges
While trying to apply for the hold mail services, you may encounter some challenges. If that happens, don’t give up on your vacation; just contact the USPS officials through email, phone call, or by visiting their offices. After all, the clerks are friendly and willing to help.
In case you want to call them, use the number we have provided in this article. Otherwise, if doing things online is your preferred way, access the official site of the USPS. The link we gave in this article will help you contact them effectively.
Alternatively, you can send the USPS customer care an email. Remember to explain in details what problems you are encountering or the service you want. That way; they will send you an email with all the necessary information.
Determine the Best Option to Receive Mails after Vacation
As we have stated previously; you can request the mailman to bring all your mails to you after your vacation is over. It saves you the trouble of going to the post office. You could use that time to rest. Nonetheless, since USPS will not deliver parcels; we highly recommend that you go for the mails. This way; you will receive all the mails as well as large parcels.
When to Request For Mail Forwarding
Holding mails for more than thirty days is unprofessional since you will definitely miss so much crucial information. Since post office knows this; they offer you a chance to access all mails during long vacations by sending them to you on a weekly basis. Nonetheless, in this case, you’ll have to request for the mail forwarding service.
The Verdict
Definitely, there will be numerous mails awaiting you to read after USPS Hold Mail Service elapses. Not knowing what the content of the mail is; means you have to open each of them at least to get a glimpse of the information therein.
While all this is overwhelming, you will realize that there are so many junk letters that end up wasting your time and taking needless space of the mailbox. If it’s the courier bringing them at your mailbox, your box may end up filling for no good reason.
So, even as you put mail on hold, remember also to seek ways of avoiding junk mails. Such include stopping the mailer while you are away, cancelling unwanted catalogs just to mention a few. This ensures that after your vacation, you’ll receive mails that are indeed crucial and worth your time.
We can only hope that we have given you all the necessary information on hold mail services. You can now go for your vacation without trouble while the post office holds your mails.
Your vacation couldn’t get any better than this!
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