USPS General Delivery: How It Works, Address Format, and Hold Times

General Delivery is a free USPS service that lets you receive mail at a post office without having a PO Box or street address. The mail is held at the post office until you pick it up in person. This service is useful for travelers, people between addresses, RVers, homeless individuals, and anyone who needs temporary mail service. Not all post offices offer General Delivery, and there are specific USPS General Delivery rules for using it. This guide explains what USPS General Delivery is, the correct USPS General Delivery address format, how long USPS holds General Delivery mail, and how to pick up General Delivery mail.

What is General Delivery USPS?

USPS General Delivery allows anyone to receive mail at a participating post office. Mail is addressed to you at that post office and held for pickup. You show valid ID to claim your mail at the counter. Unlike a PO Box, there is no fee for General Delivery, but it is intended for temporary use, not as a permanent mailing solution. Does USPS still offer General Delivery? Yes, but not at all locations. General Delivery near me can be found by calling local post offices or checking the USPS Post Office Locator.

Who Can Use USPS General Delivery

General Delivery can be used by:

• Travelers passing through an area
• People relocating who have not established a new address
• Homeless individuals without a fixed address (General Delivery for homeless is a common use case)
• RVers and people living in vehicles
• People living in rural areas without mail delivery
• Temporary workers or seasonal employees
• Anyone needing temporary mail service

USPS General Delivery Address Format

Mail sent to General Delivery must use the correct address format. The USPS General Delivery address format is similar to a standard USPS envelope address but with "GENERAL DELIVERY" on the second line:

• Line 1: Recipient's full name
• Line 2: GENERAL DELIVERY
• Line 3: City, State ZIP Code

Example:

Use the ZIP Code of the specific post office where the recipient will pick up mail. Not all ZIP Codes offer General Delivery. Verify the location accepts General Delivery before sending mail there.

Finding a Participating Post Office (General Delivery Near Me)

Not every post office offers General Delivery. To find a General Delivery post office near you:

• Call the post office directly and ask if they accept General Delivery
• Use the USPS Post Office Locator at usps.com
• In cities with multiple post offices, General Delivery is typically offered at the main post office downtown

If your mail is sent to a post office that does not offer General Delivery, it may be forwarded to one that does or returned to sender.

How Long USPS Holds General Delivery Mail

USPS normally holds General Delivery mail up to 30 days. Some offices may shorten or extend this based on local policy.

• Standard USPS policy: Up to 30 days
• Some offices allow longer holds on request
• After the hold expires: Mail is returned to sender as undeliverable

In busy cities, the designated General Delivery location may shorten the hold time to 10 or 15 days because of volume. If you expect mail to arrive after a certain date, let the post office know when you expect it and when you will pick it up.

How to Pick Up General Delivery Mail

To collect General Delivery mail:

• Go to the post office counter during business hours
• Request your General Delivery mail by name
• Show valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, state ID)
• The clerk will retrieve any mail held under your name

You can only pick up mail addressed exactly to the name on your ID. Mail for other people cannot be collected without proper authorization.

What Can Be Sent via General Delivery

• First Class Mail and letters
• Priority Mail
• Certified Mail (you sign at pickup)
• Small packages that can be held at the counter

Large packages may not be accepted for General Delivery at all locations. Check with the post office about size limits before sending packages.

USPS General Delivery Rules and Limitations

USPS General Delivery rules include:

• Temporary service only; not a permanent address solution
• Not available at all post offices
• No notification when mail arrives; you must check regularly
• Limited package size acceptance
• Post office hours restrict when you can pick up mail
• Some businesses will not ship to General Delivery addresses

General Delivery vs PO Box

Understanding the differences between General Delivery vs PO Box helps you choose the right option:

• Cost: General Delivery is free. PO Boxes have monthly or annual fees.
• Duration: General Delivery is temporary. PO Boxes are ongoing.
• Access: General Delivery requires counter pickup during hours. Many PO Boxes have 24-hour lobby access.
• Package size: PO Boxes can receive larger items in parcel lockers. General Delivery has stricter limits.
• Reliability: PO Boxes are more reliable for ongoing mail. General Delivery is better for short-term needs.

FAQs

Related Guides

• PO Box Costs and Sizes
• How to Address a PO Box
• USPS Change of Address Guide
• How Long Does Mail Forwarding Last?
• What is Certified Mail?
• Return to Sender Guide