how do you know if your mail has been delivered?
We have made it clear that it is possible to determine the expected delivery time required for a mail. however, there is still one question to be answered, and that is: “how do I know if my mail has been delivered?”
To answer that, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you determine when you can expect USPS direct mail delivery.
step 1: go to usps informed delivery page
first, you need the official link for usps reported delivery. once you get to the page, you will see the “sign up for free” button. click on it and register.
step 2: start the registration process and fill in your address
here, you must fill in your address so that the system can determine if you are eligible for the informed delivery service. Two criteria determine your eligibility for the service, and they are:
- Your zip code area must be eligible for reported delivery.
- Your individual mailbox must have a unique code.
(note: according to usps, some apartment buildings may not have a unique code mailbox).
After you provide the necessary details, the USPS system determines if you are eligible for its Informed Delivery service. if you are eligible, you will be taken to a new page where you can create an account. here, you will also be able to set your username and password.
step 3: verify your address
At this point, you have already created an account to access the USPS Informed Delivery service. this is where usps will try to verify if you really live at the address you just sent them.
In this step, upss will provide you with two options.
- option 1: verify your address through your mobile phone
- option 2: verify your address through postal mail.
The first option is self explanatory and you won’t need any help doing it. Your second option is to receive paper mail from the USPS. The email will contain a code that you will then have to enter on the website. once you enter the code, the verification process is complete.
Step 4 – Select a Post Office for In-Person Address Verification
Most of us will verify address via mobile phone number because it is the most convenient option. but mobile phone verification doesn’t have to work for everyone. For example, if a number is not recognized by USPS, the address cannot be verified via mobile phone.
If USPS is unable to verify your mobile phone number for informed delivery, you have a third option. so what is the third option? you can visit your local post office in person and verify the address. if this is your preferred option, you can click the “visit a post office” option.
step 5: select the post office for verification
after clicking the “visit a post office” option, usps will present you with a list of post offices. all post offices listed here are eligible to verify your address for informed delivery. you can choose the post office from the list that suits you best.
Usually, people choose to select the post office closest to their home. people also tend to choose post offices close to their place of work or one that is on their daily commute. however, it would be best to remember that not all post offices are equipped for verification.
once you correct the verification of the post office address, you can click the “continue verification in person” button.
step 6: get the barcode
The screen will display a barcode after clicking the “proceed to in-person verification” button. in addition, the barcode will also be sent to the email address you provided. it’s worth noting that this barcode is only valid for 30 days.