USPS General Delivery: Address Format, Rules & Pickup

The photo above is of a Post Office in Geneva, New York. I've done some limited business in the area and have used General Delivery there to receive mail while away from home.

Who Can Use USPS General Delivery?

General Delivery can help people in all kinds of situations, especially if you're traveling or don't have a fixed address. Check with the Post Office you plan to use to make sure they offer it. It's a useful option for people traveling in RVs or living that van life.

People who are between homes can also use it to receive important mail, including notices about Medicaid or food assistance. Check with your benefits office about using General Delivery as your mailing address.

It's a fantastic service for travelers and people going through a rough patch. There's no fee to use it, and it's awesome that the Post Office provides a way to receive mail when you don't have a regular place for it to go.

How to Find a General Delivery Post Office

Start with the USPS location finder and look for the General Delivery service filter. Not every branch handles it. In an area with several postal facilities, there may be one designated pickup location.

Call or visit the office to confirm they offer General Delivery. Ask for the city and ZIP Code you should use.

Save the address they give you. Do not assume the ZIP Code on the building is the one to use for General Delivery.

USPS General Delivery Address Format

Put the recipient's full name on the first line, GENERAL DELIVERY on the second, and the confirmed city, state, and ZIP Code below it. USPS specifies the -9999 ZIP+4 ending for General Delivery.

[RECIPIENT FULL NAME]
GENERAL DELIVERY
[CITY] [ST] [ZIP CODE]-9999

Replace the brackets with the recipient's details and the address confirmed by USPS. Use the name shown on their identification. GENERAL DELIVERY is the delivery-address line; do not replace it with a PO Box number or a guessed street address.

The sender should include a return address as usual. Our envelope addressing guide shows where each address goes.

How to Pick Up General Delivery Mail

Go to the confirmed Post Office during its pickup hours and ask for General Delivery mail under your name. Bring suitable identification, such as a current driver's license or passport, and follow any instructions the office gave you.

If the sender used a tracked service, keep the number handy. You can check it with our USPS tracking tool or directly on USPS.com.

How Long Does USPS Hold General Delivery Mail?

USPS holds each General Delivery mailpiece for no more than 30 days. The sender can request a shorter holding period, so do not plan on leaving it there until the last day.

That limit applies to the individual letter or package. It does not automatically mean you can only use General Delivery for 30 days in total. Ask the postmaster how long you can use the service at that location.

Can You Receive Packages Through General Delivery?

Yes, you can receive USPS packages through General Delivery, but Post Offices have limited space and may not be able to accept every package. We recommend using the service mainly for essential mail.

General Delivery, a PO Box, or Hold Mail?

General Delivery is a way to receive mail temporarily without renting a box. If you need a regular pickup address, compare USPS PO Box costs and availability.

If you already receive mail at home and are just going away, USPS Hold Mail is a different service that pauses delivery to your existing address. If you need mail sent on to a different address, see our mail forwarding guide.