How to Get Mails While Traveling: Tips and Strategies

Are you excited about your upcoming vacation, but worried about missing important mail? Don't worry – it's not the end of the world. There are many ways to solve this problem.

In this article, we'll discuss various strategies to help you keep up with your paper mail, ensuring you won't miss any important information.

Ways of Managing Your Paper Mail

1. Let Mail Accumulate in Your Mailbox
2. Convert Paper Communications to Digital
3. Request USPS to Hold Your Mail
4. Ask a Friend or Neighbor to Help
5. Temporarily Forward Mail to a Family Member or a Friend.
6. Temporarily Forward Mail to Your New Address
7. Use a Paid Virtual Mailbox

Let's talk about these options one by one.

Option 1: Let Mail Accumulate in Your Mailbox

If you receive minimal mail, you might not have to worry much. However, a high volume of mail could lead to mailbox overflow and lack of information updates.

Option 2: Convert Paper Communications to Digital

Bills, medical statements, bank records, and government paperwork are often important paper communications.

How to Convert Paper Communications to Digital

Visit the sender's websites and update your communication preferences to receive information electronically via email.

Limitations

It would take a lot of work to convert, and the work may not be exhaustive. Especially for paper mails from the government, their mails may come out of nowhere. If the mail has a deadline to respond, you are out of luck.

Option 3: Request USPS to Hold Your Mail

For trips lasting less than a month and if you're not too concerned about mail, you can request USPS to hold your mail. This is free of charge.

You can either pick up accumulated mail or have it delivered upon your return.

How to Request USPS to Hold Your Mail

To request USPS to hold your mail, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official USPS website at www.usps.com.
2. Go to the "Track & Manage" section on the website.
3. Choose the option for "Hold Mail" or "Request Hold."
4. Enter the start and end dates for the mail hold period.
5. Provide your personal details, including your name and address.
6. Confirm your request and review the details for accuracy.
7. Complete any required payment or verification process.
8. Receive a confirmation of your mail hold request.
9. Keep the confirmation details for reference.

Limitations

You can only hold your mails for up to 30 days, based on USPS.

Option 4: Ask a Friend or Neighbor to Help

If you have a friend or nearby neighbor close by your original address, you can ask them to check the mailbox for you periodically and hold your mail.

You can give their permission to open the mails if needed and communicate about mail if necessary.

Additionally, make sure that your friend or neighbor doesn't have any travel plans during the same period as you.

Option 5: Temporarily Forward Mails to a Family Member or a Friend

Forward mail to a trusted family member or friend who can hold it for you.

Upon your return, you can collect the mail or have them mail it to you.

Also, remember to return the favor for this nice person for keeping your mails.

How to Temporarily Forward Mails to Others

To set up mail forwarding on USPS.com, follow these steps:

1. Visit the USPS website and navigate to "Track & Manage."
2. Select "Forward Mail" from the options.
3. Enter the start and end dates for your mail forwarding.
4. Specify that your move is temporary (if applicable).
5. Provide your personal details and the new address where you want your mail forwarded.
6. Pay the required verification fee to confirm your request.
7. You will receive a verification code sent to your old address; enter this code online.
8. Review all the details you've provided and confirm your request.
9. Complete the payment for the remaining forwarding fee.
10. Await a confirmation letter at your new address.

Limitations

Temporary forwarding lasts up to 6 months; renew if needed.

Option 6: Temporarily Forward Mail to Your New Address

How to Temporarily Forward Mail to Your New Address

To set up mail forwarding on USPS.com, follow these steps:

1. Visit the USPS website and navigate to "Track & Manage."
2. Select "Forward Mail" from the options.
3. Enter the start and end dates for your mail forwarding.
4. Specify that your move is temporary (if applicable).
5. Provide your personal details and the new address where you want your mail forwarded.
6. Pay the required verification fee to confirm your request.
7. You will receive a verification code sent to your old address; enter this code online.
8. Review all the details you've provided and confirm your request.
9. Complete the payment for the remaining forwarding fee.
10. Await a confirmation letter at your new address.

Option 7: Use a Paid Virtual Mailbox

A virtual mailbox is a mailbox you rent at a mail center, nearby or far away from your home or place of business. It can be at a retail pack and ship store or at an executive business center in a professional office building.

How to Set Up a Virtual Mailbox

Depending on whether you want to set up mail forwarding on USPS, there are two ways to go about it.

Without Changing Your Address on Different Places

1. Apply for a virtual mailbox and get the postal address of this mailbox (for example, 1234 Elm Street Unit 567 #789, Cityville, CA 12345).
2. Provide necessary documents for mailbox activation.
3. On USPS website, request to temporarily forward your mails to this new postal address.
4. Done!

This approach involves setting up two services, one on the virtual mailbox service and another one on USPS.

Changing Address on All Places

1. Apply for a virtual mailbox and get the postal address of this mailbox (for example, 1234 Elm Street Unit 567 #789, Cityville, CA 12345).
2. Provide necessary documents for mailbox activation.
3. Update all places that have your previous address with the new postal address from the virtual mailbox.
4. Done!

This approach does not involve setting up temporary mail forwarding on USPS, but it involves more work and is harder to track. For example, changing the address on your driver's license could be challenging. This approach is not recommended.

Options of Different Virtual Mailbox Services

1. Anytime Mailbox:

   • Offers various plans with global physical addresses.
   • Receive mail notifications and manage mail digitally.

2. iPostal1:

   • Virtual mailbox service with mail scanning, forwarding, and secure shredding.
   • Features package receiving and management.

3. TravelingMailbox:

   • Plans include mail scanning, forwarding, and check deposit.
   • Integrates with popular cloud storage services.

4. Earth Class Mail:

   • Virtual mailbox services with mail scanning and forwarding.
   • Option for check deposit services.

5. VirtualPostMail:

   • Provides mail scanning, forwarding, and secure shredding.
   • Offers check deposit and online mail management.

6. PostScan Mail:

   • Virtual mailbox services with mail scanning and forwarding.
   • Manage mail online with scanning options.

7. US Global Mail:

   • Offers mail scanning, forwarding, and check deposit services.
   • Options for multiple users and personalized plans.

8. Mailbox Forwarding:

   • Virtual mailbox solutions with scanning and forwarding.
   • Choose from various mailing addresses.

When selecting a virtual mailbox service, consider factors like pricing, available locations, service offerings, user reviews, customer support, and additional features that suit your needs. Compare the options and choose the one that aligns best with your preferences and requirements.

My Personal Experience

During our travels, we used Anywhere Mailbox and had a great experience. When setting up Anywhere Mailbox, I visited a local private mail shop responsible for managing our mail, met the owner, and provided necessary ID documents to verify our identities. The owner's assistance boosted my confidence in using the service.

Tip: Setting up a virtual mailbox may involve form filling and notarization. The online notary service provided by the virtual mailbox service may incur a cost, such as $45. Many US banks offer free notarization; check your bank's benefits and make an appointment if needed.

Conclusion

You have multiple options to receive mail while traveling. Consider your circumstances and choose the method that best suits your needs. You can even combine strategies for optimal results. Keep your communication flowing and enjoy your vacation without worrying about missing important information.