Maybe this is a unique quality for someone decidedly Gen Z, but I absolutely adore snail mail. Last week, I sent 15 pieces of mail. Seriously. I just moved to a new state and sent all my loved ones and friends postcards greeting them from my new address. (Plus, I needed an excuse to use the stamps with manatees printed on them.)
Mailing items is generally a big part of my week. I always send birthday and thank you notes as handwritten cards; my best friend, Sydney, and I constantly write each other letters since we’re now 1,119 miles apart. I’ve even gotten into the habit of sending myself a postcard whenever I’m on vacation as a fun little travel tradition. This means I’m sending — and receiving — a lot of mail, and I’m eager to know what’s arriving.
If you’re like me, you may have wanted to know ahead of time what mail is about to arrive. Or maybe you wish you could peek inside your mailbox without leaving the house. With USPS Informed Delivery, you can do just that. Well, sort of.
The free service from the United States Postal Service lets you see grayscale preview images of your incoming letter-sized mail before it even arrives. You’ll also get tracking updates on packages and outgoing mail. It’s like getting a sneak peek at your physical mailbox, right from your phone or computer. Here’s how to set it up and start using it.
Read also: USPS Is Testing a Standalone App That Previews What Mail Is on the Way
Step 1: Check if you are eligible
First things first: Make sure USPS Informed Delivery is available in your area and for your address. Most residential addresses are eligible, but some apartment buildings or PO boxes may not qualify.
To check if your address is eligible for Informed Delivery:
- Go to the USPS Informed Delivery page.
- Click “Sign up for free.”
- First enter your email address, then enter your physical address to see if the service is available for you.
Step 2: Create a USPS account
If you’re eligible, you’ll need to sign up for a USPS.com account (or log in if you already have one):
- Visit USPS.com and click “Sign in.”
- Choose “Create account” if you don’t already have one.
- Fill out your information, including name, address, email and mobile number.
Make sure the address you enter matches your mailing address exactly.
In just a few quick steps, you can know exactly what is being delivered to your home.
Step 3: Verify your identity
To protect your mail and your identity, USPS will ask you to verify that you live at the address you’re registering. Most people can do this through an online identity verification process that may involve answering a few questions based on your credit history (similar to a credit check, but without affecting your score).
If that doesn’t work, USPS may ask you to complete the process in person at a local post office.
Step 4: Start using Informed Delivery
Once you’re set up, you’ll start receiving daily emails from USPS with images of the mail that’s on its way. You can also check the Informed Delivery dashboard online or through the USPS Mobile app, available for iOS and Android.
Here’s what you’ll see:
- Grayscale images of letter-sized mailpieces (usually the front of the envelope).
- Package tracking updates for incoming parcels.
- Notifications about outbound mail if you’re using USPS tracking services.
Note not all mail is scanned. Larger items, magazines or handwritten envelopes may not show up in previews, but most standard letters will.
Pro tips for using Informed Delivery
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind, from someone who uses Informed Delivery a lot.
- Keep an eye out for interactive content. Some businesses include clickable offers or links in their scanned mail previews.
- Use it to spot missing mail. If something shows up in your preview but not in your mailbox, it may be delayed or misdelivered.
- Get alerts on the go. The USPS mobile app is especially handy for real-time updates on package deliveries.
For more tips, explore how to blur your house on Google Maps, and why you should report fraud to the FTC and FBI.
