Temporary Mail Forwarding: How It Works and Its Duration

When you are away from home for an extended period of time but have no specific plans to return, such as for business, vacation, or staying with family, the US Postal Service's temporary mail forwarding service is a solution to help maintain communication and ensure that your mail and packages reach you safely and securely.

What is temporary mail forwarding?

Temporary mail forwarding services allow you to receive certain types of mail at a temporary address when you are not at your primary address, typically for first-class mail, magazines, periodicals, and some types of parcels.

This service allows you to continue receiving certain types of mail for a short time at a temporary address, without changing your official address. To set it up, simply complete a Change of Address Form, submit it in person at the post office with valid identification, and provide the start and end dates of the service.

Flexible validity: minimum 15 days and maximum 12 months, renewable. This is an ideal choice for long trips, short-term business trips, or seasonal living, helping to avoid losing important mail and keeping your mailbox neat and secure.

What types of mail can be forwarded

Temporary mail forwarding can forward the following types of mail:

- First-class mail, including magazines and periodicals, is forwarded free of charge.

- Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage are also forwarded free of charge.

- Media mail such as books, CDs, DVDs, and printed music is allowed for forwarding, but a shipping fee will apply.

- Marketing mail (advertising, junk mail) is not included in this service.

If you need to temporarily forward a package, you can use the Premium Forwarding Service for USPS Ground Advantage or packages up to 70 pounds, with a delivery schedule of weekly or at the frequency you choose.

How does temporary mail forwarding work?

To sign up for USPS temporary mail forwarding quickly and securely, you can choose one of two ways.

Apply online

Visit the USPS Change of Address form and answer “YES” to the question about whether you will return to your old address within 6 months, so the system can identify this as a temporary change.

Complete the mobile phone identity verification step with a code or confirmation link.

Pay the verification fee

USPS will email you a confirmation code, allowing you to edit or cancel your request as needed.

Apply in person at a post office

Bring a valid photo ID (e.g., driver’s license or passport) to your local post office.

Request a free Moving Guide package, which includes a USPS Form

Complete the form and hand it in to the post office employee with your ID.

Once processed, USPS will send a welcome kit with a coupon from the partner, and your mail will be forwarded to your temporary address in batches.

Benefits and limit of using temporary mail forwarding

Like many services, temporary mail forwarding has its pros and cons, so thinking ahead will help you choose the right solution for your needs.

Pros

- Protects and secures your mail while you're away.

- Avoids full mailboxes, reducing the risk of being seen as vacant.

- Affordable – basic service is free for First Class and Priority Mail.

Flexible terms from 15 days to 12 months, with the option to extend.

Cons

- Does not forward certain types of mail, such as flyers or bulk mail.

- Can delay delivery due to the extra routing step.

- Restricts parcel forwarding unless you pay for a premium service.

- Cancellations to extended service are non-refundable, so plan carefully.

Therefore, you should compare this service with digital solutions like virtual mailboxes, which offer flexibility, security and the ability to manage mail anytime, anywhere.

Comparison between temporary mail forwarding and fake email addresses

Temporary mail forwarding and disposable email serve two completely different needs.

Allows certain types of physical mail (First Class Mail, Priority Mail, magazines, some packages) to be moved from your primary address to a temporary address while you are away. This service protects mail from loss, prevents mailbox overload, and has a flexible duration of 15 days to 12 months, but does not apply to promotional mail and may delay delivery.

Fake email addresses is a temporary email address to receive email without revealing your primary email, often used to protect privacy, reduce spam, and for short-term transactions. Users can create it immediately and cancel it when no longer needed, without involving a formal process like temporary email forwarding.

Key differences

- Type: temporary mail forwarding handles physical mail; disposable email handles digital mail.

- How to set up: Mail forwarding requires registration with USPS; disposable emails can be quickly created through an online platform.

- Purpose: Mail forwarding ensures delivery at a secondary address; disposable emails protect digital identity and avoid spam.

Learn more >>> Using QR Codes to Access Your Temporary Inbox

FAQ about temporary mail forwarding

Q1: Main benefits of the service?

Keep mail safe, avoid mailbox overload, low cost, flexible time.

Q2: Limitations to note?

No advertising mail, may cause delivery delays, limited parcel delivery if not using premium service, and non-refundable extended service fee.

Q3: When should you use this service?

Long-term travel, seasonal living, students away from home, family care, short-term relocation.

Q4: How long is the application period?

From a minimum of 15 days to a maximum of 12 months, extendable