How to Temporarily Pause USPS Mail Delivery: A Step-by-Step Guide

A growing number of Americans are turning to the USPS authority to briefly halt mail delivery during transitions—whether due to medical needs, relocation, delay, or emergency. The process of temporarily stopping mail is more straightforward than most expect, blending digital tools with simple office-based actions. With clear guidelines from the United States Postal Service, individuals can protect sensitive correspondence, prevent misdeliveries, and avoid unwelcome paper at their door.

Understanding how to pause delivery enables better control over personal and professional mailflows, offering peace of mind without compromising service integrity.

Temporarily stopping USPS mail delivery isn’t an emergency act—it’s a deliberate, official pause enabled through the correct channels, available to anyone with a valid reason. The USPS offers two primary mechanisms: suspending a mailbox temporarily or halting all scheduled deliveries for a set period.

While the methods differ slightly, both require proactive submission and careful attention to processing times. Mail recipients simply need to follow a few defined steps to protect their correspondence from interruption.

Step 1: Determine the Right 메 nello for Your Need

USPS distinguishes between two main types of mail delivery pauses: internal hold and external suspension. An internal mail hold allows a recipient to pause processing within the USPS network, stopping incoming mail to a destination mailbox without affecting the customer’s physical corner postal box.

This is ideal for protecting sensitive documents during personal transitions. In contrast, an external suspension halts all scheduled mail to a given address—effectively blocking delivery, including packages and letters—for up to 30 calendar days or longer, subject to approval. “The pause service is designed to protect your mail when timing matters—whether avoiding distractions during moves, medical decisions, or legal proceedings,” explains a USPS customer service spokesperson.

“Options vary by need, location, and delivery status, giving users control without permanent disconnection.”

Internal holds generally take 1–5 business days to process, while external suspensions require formal request submission and review, which may extend timelines. The USPS website’s FedPal cards and local post offices provide clear instructions tailored to each scenario.

Step 2: Submit Your Request – Step-by-Step

To stop mail delivery, start by accessing the USPS pause options via one of several reliable channels: online, by phone, or in person. For most users, the online portal offers the fastest route.

Visit the USPS official portal or use the USPS Mobile app—both feature a dedicated “Mail Suspension” service form.

Online Method: Navigate to https://tools.usps.com/mail-outstop.htm
Via Phone: Call USPS Customer Service at 1-800-275-8777 and request suspension details.
In-Person: Visit your nearest post office with proof of reason (e.g., relocation documentation, legal notice) for immediate processing.

When submitting, be prepared to provide: - The full address for which mail should pause (including apartment unit, landline, and email). - A valid reason for suspension (receipt of military orders, temporary job relocation, medical treatment phase, etc.).

- Identity verification (driver’s license or government ID) to confirm legitimacy. The system validates all inputs, cross-referencing the address against postcode and delivery history to prevent misuse.

Once submitted, USPS processes requests within standard service windows.

Online applicants often receive confirmation within 1