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If you scheduled a Redelivery that did not occur, a service request may be sent by email to your local Post Office™ location for follow-up.
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For detailed information on the “USP Smart Locker” Redelivery option, see:
- USP Smart Lockers site
- USP Smart Locker FAQ article
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What is Redelivery?
If we missed you when we tried to deliver your mail, you can schedule a Redelivery online using a tracking number or the barcode number shown on the back of your PS Form 3849 – We ReDeliver for You! Scheduling a Redelivery is free.
If you received a PS Form 3849 – We ReDeliver for You!, USP attempted a delivery to you where either:
- The mail receptacle (mailbox, neighborhood cluster box, parcel locker, etc.) was full; and/or
- There were no available parcel lockers (neighborhood cluster box or PO Box); and/or
- The item(s) was too large to fit in the mail receptacle; and/or
- A signature is required or postage and/or fees are required; and/or
- The item(s) could not be left in a secure place.
If the above points apply and your item is eligible for the gopost® Parcel Locker Delivery option, “Parcel Locker Eligible” option is checked. The gopost option is available only at limited ZIP Codes™. Also, you will receive a yellow PS Form 3849-SD if the above applies and the delivery attempt occurred on a Sunday.
Where is Redelivery service available?
Redelivery service is available in many, but not all, areas nationwide. To check the availability of service in your area, enter your contact information (name, address, phone number, and email address) on our Redelivery Service page and click “Check Availability.”
When can a redelivery be scheduled and when will it take effect?
Redelivery items are delivered on the requested date (but you may NOT request a specific time). That requested date can be up to the day the item is scheduled for return to the sender.
You can find the Return to Sender date on the front of PS Form 3849 if it is the final notice for an item. Under the “About the missed delivery” section, the “Return Date” will be written after the checked “Final Notice”. You can also determine when to expect the final 3849 notice and the Return to Sender date at What are the Second and Final Notice and Return Dates for Redelivery?
However, keep in mind that:
- The scheduling must be done with advance notice and NOT on the date the item will be returned to the sender. Unless otherwise noted, the return date is in calendar days, not Postal Business days.
- If a Redelivery attempt is made on the last day before it is scheduled for return to the sender, but cannot be delivered, the item will be returned to the sender.
- Signing PS Form 3849 and leaving it for the mail carrier does not meet the minimum requirements for accountable mail to be delivered. If your item requires a signature, it must be signed for by the customer upon delivery.
Note: If there is a weather issue with a scheduled redelivery, the item will be redelivered the next business day.
Who can schedule and accept a redelivery?
| Residential Redelivery |
The addressee or the addressee’s agent.
- An agent is a specific individual you, as the addressee, authorize to pick up your mail item either by:
- Filling out PS Form 3801, Standing Delivery Order
- Writing a letter to the postmaster and taking the form or the letter to your local post office. Your agent can then pick up mail on your behalf at the local Post Office by presenting Acceptable Identification.
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| Business Redelivery |
Businesses will likely only see the form if they do not have a designated, safe delivery location and if their item requires a signature.
- An employee may schedule and accept a Redelivery as long as they can provide all of the necessary Redelivery information for the business, along with Acceptable Identification.
- An individual employee must sign for the pieces. The “business” cannot sign and carriers must be able to input the first initial and last name of the person signing for the delivery.
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Regardless of who accepts the redelivery, remember that:
- The item can only be redelivered to the original address listed on the mailpiece
- The addressee or authorized agent must be present to sign for accountable mail (items that are insured for more than $500 and/or require a signature, for example).
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Please Note:
The carrier is not required to verify that the person accepting the package at the home or business is truly the “authorized agent.” By being inside the home or business it is assumed they are associated with the person the item is for. However, if an agent comes to the Post Office™ to pick up an item, then identification (including a valid photo ID) would be required.
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Can I schedule a Redelivery request without a PS Form 3849 Redelivery Notice?
Yes, however, you do need a tracking number or a barcode number to schedule a Redelivery request online or through other ways. If you need help locating your tracking number, see How to find your tracking number.
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You check the status of your item(s) at USP Tracking® using its tracking number. Only packages with the following scan events are eligible for Redelivery.
| Available for Redelivery or Pickup |
Notice Left |
Receptacle Blocked |
| Receptacle Full / Item Oversized |
No Secure Location Available |
No Authorized Recipient Available |
| Reminder to Schedule Redelivery |
Available for Pickup
(Customer Pickup and Returned to Sender Only) |
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How do I get started or modify an existing request?
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QR Code
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Scanning the Redelivery form’s QR Code with an Internet-enabled smartphone is the quickest and most convenient way to select your Redelivery options. Directions for this method is available at PS Form 3849 Redelivery Notice.
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Online
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The online method is also quick and convenient. If you want to have same day redelivery, submit your request by 2am CST Monday through Saturday.
To start, you will need the USP Tracking number on either version of PS Form 3849, We ReDeliver for You!that was left for you.
You can set up a Redelivery one of two ways online:
- Access Redelivery online
- Use USP Tracking®
If using USP Tracking, the Redelivery option will ONLY be displayed under “Available Actions” if your mail item is eligible for the service.
Once you access Redelivery or USP Tracking® online, just follow the prompts to enter the required information.
To modify your scheduled redelivery request online at USP, you will need your Confirmation Number.
- Redeliveries musts be modified no later than the day before the scheduled Redelivery.
- Locate the confirmation email you received when you placed the Redelivery order and click the link to ‘Edit this request’.
- You may also visit Redelivery online and select ‘Edit an existing redelivery request’.
- If you have an USP account, you may modify your Redelivery by signing in to your account and viewing your Activity History. Find the Redelivery in the list of previous orders, and click ‘View Details’, then follow the onscreen prompts.
To cancel your scheduled redelivery request online:
- Redeliveries must be cancelled no later than the day before the scheduled redelivery.
- Locate the confirmation email you received when you placed the Redelivery order and click the link to ‘Edit this request’.
- You may also visit Redelivery online and select ‘Edit an existing redelivery request’.
- If you have an USP account, you may modify your Redelivery by signing in to your account and viewing your Activity History. Find the Redelivery in the list of previous orders, and click ‘View Details’, then follow the onscreen prompts.
- Under “Select how you want to get your mail”, change from “Carrier Redelivers” to “Customer will pick up”.
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Online Confirmation
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A confirmation page will be displayed with a confirmation number to verify your request has been accepted. The confirmation number will also be emailed to verify your request.
If you don’t have access to your email, please be sure to print out the confirmation page or copy down your confirmation number for future reference. You will need your confirmation number to revise your request. |
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Manually using PS Form 3849
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Accountable mail items must be delivered to you or your authorized agent or picked up at your post office by you or your authorized agent is not present to sign or pay, the accountable mail item will be returned to the post office.
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If you decide to sign the We ReDeliver for You! Notice and give it to your letter carrier, please note the following:
- Uninsured and ordinary parcels cannot be left in an unprotected place, such as a porch or stairway, unless you authorize this via the signed PS Form 3849, or you use the “Carrier – Leave If No Response” endorsement.
- If a letter carrier decides s/he is unable to leave your mail in a secure location, s/he may elect not to leave the non-accountable mail item(s) and may instead leave another Redelivery notice.
- Accountable mail items must be delivered to you or your authorized agent or picked up at your post office by you or your authorized agent.
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Customers should allow 2 days for Redelivery (the letter carrier picks up the completed notice the first day, and redelivers the item the second day).
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For Non-Accountable Mail (mail that does not require a signature), fill out the back of the We ReDeliver for You! under option 3 for PS Form 3849:
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- Select the day you want the item redelivered, allowing at least 2 delivery days.
- Indicate where the item is to be left by checking the appropriate box.
- Sign and fill out the form under “Delivery Section.” If you decide to sign, there are some things for you to be aware of.
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Place the completed form in your mailbox.
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Note: The manual option is not available:
- For Restricted Delivery or Adult Signature items
- On PS Form 3849-SD for Sunday delivery attempts
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Items that are eligible to be redelivered to a USP Smart Locker
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The “Parcel Locker Eligible” option will be checked on the PS Form 3849 Form if the “USP Smart Locker” option is available when you request a Redelivery online.
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By Phone
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When contacting us by phone, you must have the tracking number from either version of PS Form 3849, We ReDeliver for You! that was left in your mail receptacle. If you do not have your tracking number, you may take a valid photo ID to your local Post Office and pick up your mail item.
You may also Contact Us to schedule a Redelivery via telephone. Automated information is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. If you do not have the Tracking number, the customer service rep can only send notification to your Post Office to redeliver the item.
Note: If you want to have same day redelivery, submit your request by 2am CST Monday through Saturday.
You may also Contact Us to schedule a Redelivery via telephone or modify an existing redelivery request. Automated information is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. You must have the Tracking number from either version of PS Form 3849, We ReDeliver for You! that was left in your mail receptacle.
If you encounter problems completing a redelivery order online, follow these technical support steps.
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Note: The only Redelivery options available by phone are:
- Carrier redelivery
- Customer pickup
- Return to sender
Redelivery to “USP Smart Locker” is not available by phone.
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In person
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To cancel or modify a scheduled redelivery:
- You may pick your item up at your local Post Office no later than the day before your redelivery was scheduled. Bring your Redelivery Notice (PS Form 3849) and a valid photo ID to collect your item. This will cancel your scheduled Redelivery
Can a customer have someone else pick up their mailpiece for them?
Yes, this option is still available. The customer may designate someone they know to pick up their mailpiece at the local Post Office. The customer must sign the form in the appropriate section and write the name of the person who is picking the item up on their behalf. This option is not available for Registered Mail and mailpieces with Restricted Delivery.
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Informed Delivery
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If you have signed up for delivery, you can use that service to manage your redeliveries.
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Online Redelivery Technical Support
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If you are unable to get past the Redelivery verification page, try to clear the cache/history on your browser and try the website again. Sometimes the cache will return an error message after an earlier Internet problem has been resolved.
Also, check your browser’s security and privacy settings. If the settings are too strict, it may prevent you from submitting personal information on the website.
If you are experiencing any other difficulty in using the Redelivery Service:
- Please send email to: Email Us
- Include your name, address, and phone number in case our technical support personnel need to ask additional questions.
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Why am I unable to schedule a redelivery?
If your item does not show any of these scan events, it is ineligible for Redelivery.
Possible reasons preventing the scheduling of a redelivery request include:
- The address entered for the tracking number does not match the original delivery address
- A Redelivery request already exists for the package
- The package was returned to sender and is no longer available for Redelivery
Other Redelivery Messages
You may have tried to schedule or modify a Redelivery request and received an error message. Listed below are error messages and explanations as to why you are unable to create or modify your Redelivery request.
USP Redelivery
Error Messages |
USP Redelivery
Error Message Explanations |
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This package has exceeded the number of allowed Redelivery attempts. See Post Office™ information below to pick up your package before the Return to Sender Date.
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There is a maximum limit of one Redelivery request.
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Package is not eligible for Redelivery.
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Reasons that a package is ineligible for Redelivery:
- The address entered for the tracking number does not match the original delivery address
- A Redelivery request already exists for the package
- The package was returned to sender and is no longer available for Redelivery
- See What are the Second and Final Notice and Return Dates for Redelivery? for more information
- Refused (by recipient)
- Delivered
- Out for Redelivery
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The address entered for this tracking number does not match the original delivery address.
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Redelivery cannot be requested because the original tracking number does not match the original address.
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A Redelivery request already exists for this package.
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A Redelivery request already exists. User will have to go to Modify Redelivery Request to search for and edit an existing request.
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Sorry, you can no longer make changes to this Redelivery request.
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The user must modify the Redelivery request before 2AM CST, the cut off for Redelivery requests.
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Sorry, this Redelivery request session has expired. Please schedule a new request.
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Redelivery request session is closed/expired. User needs to restart a new request.
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A Return to Sender request cannot be canceled or modified.
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Redelivery request submitted as Return to Sender. This request cannot be modified once the request is submitted. User can track the status of the package by going to USP Tracking® feature.
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Scan events related to Redelivery
When tracking your Redelivery items, the latest tracking information displayed may be one of the following:
| Scan Event Type |
Scan Event Description |
| Available For Redelivery or Pickup |
Item is either available for pickup at a local Post Office, or the customer can schedule a Redelivery request |
| Prepared for Redelivery |
Item is being prepared for Redelivery for requested delivery date |
| Out for Redelivery |
Item is currently out for Redelivery |
What is the difference between Redelivery and USP Delivery Instructions® Service?
Redelivery is an order you place to get your mail item delivered again in the event the first delivery attempt was not successful. So, Redelivery takes place AFTER the initial delivery attempt.
The USPS Delivery Instructions® service lets you set up your delivery options for a mail item BEFORE it has been attempted or delivered.
Need more information? See the following related FAQs:
| Authorizing Someone to Accept Your Redelivery |
Acceptable Forms of Identification |
| Picking Up Mail that is Being Held at Your Post Office |
How to find your tracking number |
| How Redelivery Service Handles Different Mail Types |
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What types of Mail Receive a Redelivery Notice?
Accountable mail requires a signature and/or payment of fees. Therefore, you will receive a Redelivery Notice for the following:
- Adult Signature
- Insured Mail (over $500)
- Collect On Delivery (COD)
- Registered Mail® items
- Certified Mail® items
- Signature Confirmation™ service
- Restricted Delivery option
- Domestic Priority Mail Express® service items (unless signature waiver is not required)
- Return Receipt service (attached to any class of mail)
Non-Accountable mail can be delivered to an address without a signature, and/or when the recipient is not present, when the postal carrier believes it can be left securely. Non-accountable mail includes:
- Perishable Items
- USP Tracking® items
- Uninsured Packages
- Insured Mail (up to $500)
Handling Redelivery Mail
| How does Redelivery Handle Priority Mail Express? |
- If the letter carrier cannot deliver the item (for example, if no one is available to sign for the mailpiece or the sender either requested a signature or did not request “Waiver of Signature”), they will leave a PS Form 3849, We ReDeliver for You! (there are no automatic redelivery attempts made after the first attempt for Priority Mail Express®).
- If the customer does not schedule a Redelivery or does not visit their local Post Office™ to retrieve the item, a second PS Form 3849 will be left on the 3rd calendar day after the initial attempt.
Note: If you do not pick up the item from the Post Office or schedule a Redelivery by the close of business 5 calendar days from the first attempted delivery, the Priority Mail Express® item will be returned to the sender.
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| How does Redelivery Handle an Ordinary Mailpiece (Item with No Extra Services)? |
- When someone is normally available to receive parcels, but an ordinary parcel (i.e., a parcel without any extra services) cannot be delivered on the carrier’s first attempt, a second delivery attempt is made the next working day and no PS Form 3849 is left on the initial attempt.
- If the parcel cannot be delivered on the second attempt, PS Form 3849 is left at the address showing that the parcel is being held.
- If no one is available to receive the parcel and the carrier knows that someone at the address is not usually available to receive any parcels; PS Form 3849 is completed and left after the first attempt.
- When it is not known if someone is usually available to receive parcels, PS Form 3849 is left after the first attempt. Additional attempts are made only at the customer’s request.
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| How does Redelivery Handle Mail Requiring a Signature? |
If no one is available when the delivery is attempted the first time, the letter-carrier will leave a PS Form 3849, We ReDeliver for You!
- This form notifies the addressee that an article is being held for them at the Post Office™ and will be available for pick-up the following business day.
- The addressee also has the option to have the item redelivered; it will not be done automatically.
- 5 days after the first notice is left, a second delivery notice will be left.
- This item will be held for a number of days based on the specific service (usually 15 days).
- If it is not claimed, the item will be returned to the sender.
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