Snowbirds
Mail and Packages for Snowbirds: Hold Mail, Forwarding and Premium Forwarding
Pick the cheapest USPS option that fits how long you'll be gone.
Email me updatesBy the ForLowerBills team · Last updated: October 14, 2026 · Sources checked: October 14, 2026
No paid links on this page. Every program we mention is free to apply for. ForLowerBills.com is an independent website, not a government agency. How we make money.
Mail piling up is a sign nobody's home, and missed bills can mean late fees. USPS has three main options for seasonal residents. Fees below were checked on usps.com on October 14, 2026; USPS changes prices from time to time, so confirm before you sign up.
Short trips: Hold Mail (free)
USPS Hold Mail keeps your mail at your local Post Office for a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 30 days. You can request it up to 30 days in advance. Online requests need a USPS.com account and identity verification. For longer stays, USPS says to use a forwarding service.
Official sources
Longer stays: temporary change of address
A change-of-address order forwards mail piece by piece, primarily First-Class Mail and Periodicals, but generally not USPS Marketing Mail or package services, according to USPS. USPS lists a $1.25 identity verification charge for online change-of-address requests. You can also file at a Post Office.
Official sources
Mail checklist
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Before you go
From ForLowerBills.com · General information only, not legal, medical, tax or financial advice.
Everything in one box: Premium Forwarding Service Residential
With Premium Forwarding Service Residential, USPS packs up your mail and ships it to you once a week by Priority Mail. As of October 14, 2026, usps.com lists a non-refundable enrollment fee of $26.40 online or $28.70 at the Post Office, plus $29.70 for each week of service. USPS says the service is temporary and can be extended for up to a year.
Is it worth it? Multiply $29.70 by the number of weeks you'll be away and compare that with a free change of address plus going paperless on bills.
Packages, bills and checks
- Update your shipping address with online stores before you leave.
- Switch bills and statements to paperless where you can, so nothing important is stuck in a box.
- Ask Social Security, pensions and banks to use direct deposit rather than paper checks.
- Sign up for free USPS Informed Delivery to preview incoming letter mail.
- Ask a neighbor to grab flyers or packages left by other carriers.
Get updates: Snowbird mail options
Related guides
FAQ
How long will USPS hold my mail?
Hold Mail is for 3 to 30 days. For longer, USPS points you to a forwarding service.
How much is USPS Premium Forwarding?
As of October 14, 2026, usps.com lists $26.40 to enroll online ($28.70 at a Post Office) plus $29.70 per week. Check usps.com for current fees.
Does a change of address forward packages?
USPS says a change-of-address order primarily forwards First-Class Mail and Periodicals and generally doesn't forward USPS Marketing Mail or package services.
Disclaimers
General information only, not legal, medical, tax or financial advice.
- ForLowerBills.com is an independent website. We are not a government agency, a law firm, an insurance agency or a tax preparer, and we don't charge for any of this information.
- Fees, rules and deadlines change. Always confirm the current details with the official source, your plan, your insurer or a qualified professional before you act.
Read our full affiliate disclosure (How we make money).
We hope this helps. — the ForLowerBills team