The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers Informed Delivery®, a free optional service that provides users a digital preview of incoming mail via email notifications with grayscale images of select letter-sized items. Accessible on mobile devices, this service allows users to manage delivery preferences for timely receipt of important correspondence. Additionally, USPS Informed Delivery® facilitates mail content preview, enhancing planning and organization before its physical delivery.
Informed Delivery® bridges the gap between traditional mail delivery and the digital world, ensuring that users are always aware of their incoming mail and never taken by surprise.
How is USPS Informed Delivery® Tracked?
Informed Delivery® lets you see greyscale images before it reaches your home. You can sign up for this service online or through the USPS app. Once you are signed up, you will get alerts through emails, texts, or notifications on your phone with the images of your mail pieces.
Informed Delivery® enables you to track your package, which helps ensure timely receipt of deliveries. This service enables businesses to offer better customer service as they can provide real-time delivery updates, reduce their costs by eliminating paper-based mailings, and improve efficiency by streamlining the mail management process. Moreover, businesses can execute targeted marketing campaigns.
Who is Eligible for Informed Delivery®?
Informed Delivery® is available to residential addresses, business addresses, and P.O. Boxes within most ZIP Codes. However, to ensure eligibility, your mailbox must have a unique code. To register, visit the USPS Informed Delivery® webpage and enter your mailing address. You can sign up for the service if your address is eligible.
Note: If your address is not eligible for Informed Delivery®, please check back later. Eligibility may expand to additional addresses in the future.
Exploring the Benefits of USPS Informed Delivery®
USPS Informed Delivery® has helped transform how individuals and businesses manage their mail. Informed Delivery® offers several benefits that help streamline mail handling. Some of its benefits include:
Previewing Mail Before it Arrives
One of the most compelling advantages of USPS Informed Delivery® is the ability to preview incoming mail before it physically arrives in your mailbox. This feature empowers users to plan and prioritize their mail. Whether it is a crucial bill, invoice, or personal letter, Informed Delivery® keeps you informed about your mail flow.
With Informed Delivery®, you can:
- Anticipate bill payments and avoid late fees
- Stay organized and plan your day around important mail deliveries
- Prioritize personal correspondence and respond promptly
Managing and Organizing Incoming Mail Digitally
USPS Informed Delivery® seamlessly blends traditional mail delivery with digital convenience, offering a centralized platform for managing incoming mail. Users can access grayscale images of their letter-sized mail items through the Informed Delivery® website or app.
This digital mail preview enables users to:
- Categorize mail effortlessly, ensuring important items are not lost in the shuffle.
- Prioritize personal correspondence and receive timely attention.
- Schedule timely delivery for packages, eliminating the hassle of waiting at home for deliveries.
Enhancing Security and Preventing Mail Theft
In the face of rising mail theft concerns, USPS Informed Delivery® is a powerful tool to safeguard valuable packages and inform you about their whereabouts. This service provides real-time tracking information, enabling users to monitor delivery status, receive notifications, and even reschedule deliveries as needed. This approach helps deter theft and ensures the safe arrival of your packages.
How Does USPS Informed Delivery® Work?
Before your mail arrives, USPS takes a digital snapshot of the front of your letter-size mail pieces as they pass through automated sorting machines. These images are emailed to inform you about your upcoming mail deliveries.
To sign up for Informed Delivery®, you must provide an active email address to receive mail previews. Each notification can display up to 10 mail items. This limit helps ensure the security of your mail information.
The automated scanning process does not capture images of all mail items, such as magazines and journals. If a scan is unavailable for a particular mail item, you will receive a message stating, “A mailpiece for which we do not currently have an image is included in today’s mail.”
For your convenience, mail images remain accessible on the Informed Delivery® dashboard for up to a week, while package images are available for up to 15 days after delivery.
How to Sign Up for Informed Delivery®?
- You must have a valid residential address or rent a P.O. box exclusively for personal use.
- Your address and ZIP code must fall within the designated service areas for USPS Informed Delivery®.
- Completing the identity verification process is mandatory to safeguard your personal information and secure access to your mail previews.
- Visit the official USPS Informed Delivery® website and click the “Sign Up” button.
- Enter your P.O. box address or residential address to verify whether your location falls within the eligible areas for Informed Delivery®.
- If you don’t already have a USPS personal account, create one by providing a username and password.
- Improve your account security by adding security questions and contact information. Review the privacy policy and click “Continue” to proceed to the identity verification page.
- Choose your preferred identity verification method:
- Enter your phone number, and a numeric OTP will be sent via text message.
- Request an invitation code to be mailed to your residential address.
- Upon successful identity verification, you will receive a confirmation page and be redirected to your Informed Delivery® dashboard.
Maximizing the Use of USPS Informed Delivery®
USPS Informed Delivery® helps you stay organized and informed about your mail. To fully leverage the capabilities of this service, consider implementing a few strategies.
Informed Delivery® offers convenient access through a user-friendly mobile app and a web interface. Whether on the go or at your computer, you can easily access your mail previews, track packages, and manage your delivery preferences. The app notifications ensure you stay up-to-date on your mail flow, while the website provides a comprehensive overview of your upcoming deliveries.
This service goes beyond mere mail previews and serves as a platform for engaging with digital content and personalized offers. Take advantage of these opportunities to discover relevant deals, promotions, and valuable information.
In addition to this, you can plan and prioritize your mail handling effectively. With a clear understanding of your upcoming mail flow, you can allocate time efficiently and ensure that important items receive prompt attention.
Advanced Features and Services of Informed Delivery®
USPS Informed Delivery® goes beyond just previewing mail; it offers advanced features and services that make the managing and postal experience more efficient.
- It allows users to preview letter-sized mail and track their packages. It enhances the overall awareness of incoming deliveries.
- This service facilitates redelivery options and mail rescheduling. Suppose you miss a delivery or need it at a more convenient time. In that case, Informed Delivery® allows you to schedule a redelivery or adjust the delivery time, adding a layer of flexibility to your postal interactions.
It enables users to request USPS to hold their mail. It is particularly useful for individuals who may be away from home for an extended period. Informed Delivery® lets you initiate a mail hold request, ensuring your mail is securely stored until you receive it.
Tips for a Seamless Informed Delivery® Experience
To ensure a seamless Informed Delivery® experience, follow these tips:
Protect Your Account
Create a strong password and keep it confidential. Avoid phishing scams by carefully verifying sender information and never sharing your credentials on suspicious websites. You can enable two-factor verification to add an extra layer of security.
Address Common Issues
Check the USPS Informed Delivery® website or app for status updates or service disruptions. Contact USPS customer support if you encounter persistent issues. Refer to the USPS Informed Delivery® FAQs for answers to common queries.
Enhance Your Mail Management
Utilize USPS hold mail to pause mail delivery while you are away temporarily. Choose USPS pickup to collect packages at a convenient post office location. You can manage your mail and packages through USPS MyPost Office.
Privacy and Data Protection Considerations
USPS Informed Delivery® is a valuable tool for managing incoming mail, raising crucial privacy considerations. While it offers convenience and efficiency, it is essential to understand how USPS handles user data and the measures in place to protect personal information:
The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers Informed Delivery®, a free optional service that provides users a digital preview of incoming mail via email notifications with grayscale images of select letter-sized items. Accessible on mobile devices, this service allows users to manage delivery preferences for timely receipt of important correspondence. Additionally, USPS Informed Delivery® facilitates mail content preview, enhancing planning and organization before its physical delivery.
Informed Delivery® bridges the gap between traditional mail delivery and the digital world, ensuring that users are always aware of their incoming mail and never taken by surprise.
The Future of USPS Informed Delivery®
USPS Informed Delivery® is set to revolutionize mail management. Integrating with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality, Informed Delivery® aims to provide more personalized and interactive mail previews.
For recipients, these advancements mean improved convenience, allowing them to manage mail deliveries, schedule pickups, and receive real-time updates through Informed Delivery®. The service may evolve into a platform for personalized recommendations and targeted marketing, offering relevant information and promotions based on mail preferences.
USPS stands to gain from increased customer engagement, operational efficiency, and an enhanced brand reputation. By embracing innovation and adapting to the digital landscape, USPS ensures Informed Delivery® remains a valuable tool for recipients and the postal service alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is USPS Informed Delivery®?
A: USPS Informed Delivery® is a no-cost service that provides digital previews of your incoming letter-sized mail and status updates for incoming and outbound packages. You can access these notifications through the Informed Delivery® dashboard on your phone, computer, or the USPS mobile app.
Q: Is USPS Informed Delivery® free?
A: Yes. USPS Informed Delivery® is a free and optional notification feature for tracking mail pieces.
Q: Is USPS Informed Delivery® accurate?
A: Yes. USPS email notifications are designed to keep you informed about your incoming mail and packages, and while they are typically accurate, there may be slight discrepancies on occasion.
Q: When does USPS Informed Delivery® update?
A: Informed Delivery® delivers convenient daily updates about your incoming mail, usually around 9 a.m. You will receive a daily update if you have mail or packages scheduled for delivery. The service takes a break on federal holidays and Sundays, and updates are sent directly to your email address.
Q: How do you get USPS Informed Delivery®?
A: If you already have an account on USPS.com, go to your account preferences, scroll to the Informed Delivery® section, and opt-in to Informed Delivery®. And, if you are new to the service, just sign up and avail yourself of the benefits.
Q: How do you change addresses on USPS Informed Delivery®?
A: For accuracy in Informed Delivery® notifications, USPS temporarily suspends access after an official change of address submission. A 9-digit code and a physical letter for address verification are sent via email. You can reactivate Informed Delivery® after confirming the new address through the instructions provided in the validation letter, which applies to participating ZIP code locations.
Q: Is Informed Delivery® a good idea?
A: Informed Delivery® is an effective and useful tool for mail tracking and real-time updates. It further helps in mail management.
Q: Does all mail get scanned for Informed Delivery®?
A: While Informed Delivery® previews your incoming mail, not all mail, including magazines and catalogs, is processed through the system. As a result, these items may not appear in your Informed Delivery® notifications.
Q: How long does Informed Delivery® last?
A: Informed Delivery® stores the seven-day mail previews and package tracking information for 15 days after delivery.
Q: How long does it take for Informed Delivery® to start?
A: Informed Delivery® will be activated within three business days of verifying your identity.
