[Nell57]

Originally Posted by nn0wheremann

If you forward your mail the postal service will notify your billers, who will notify the credit bureaus, and any state or local governments also will be notified of your change of address. These will affect your legal residency, and credit history.

That applies if you mark the box PERMANENT ADDRESS CHANGE.
If you mark TEMPORARY MOVE they will forward it for up to six months.

[Nell57]

Originally Posted by YoRomeo

I am snowbird and I have been using the USPS forwarding mail service for all of those years. I am never had a problem. Nothing is perfect, but filling out the form online or going to the post office for a form is simple. Guarantees that you will not miss any mail that might be import.

As of 2024 you have to do the address change at your local USPS and show ID .
They had too many problems with people doing it online….some scammers figured out how to change other peoples addresses.

[DonnaSt]

We have been snowbirds twice. Both times we found that forwarding mail through USPS works for the most part but can be very delayed. It might show up on your USPS informed but it might not be in the mailbox for several days or even weeks. Our biggest concern was at tax time. This year we are getting a PO Box . Hopefully this will be a smoother process.

[Jalane]

The person at our CBU (cluster box unit) in TV told me that they don't receive the online hold/forward info for 1-2 weeks, if at all. I was told to pick up the yellow hold cards at the post office in WW or LL and then put it in the slot at the CBU so they get it. They tape it over the mail slot for your box so they see it when distributing the mail.

As far as the Informed Delivery email - that worked great when we were in IL. Every piece of mail was scanned and in the email. Here, however, we typically get an email every day with 2 pieces of mail scanned, but get more mail that was not scanned.

[Mburg1368]

Originally Posted by JWish

We have been staying in our TV home for a few weeks off and on for the last few years but are planning to stay for 3 months this winter. 😄

Should we just have the post office forward our mail for those months? How reliable is it, and do you always get your important mail?

Would it be better to have a mail service receive our mail then forward what we want?

How do other snowbirds manage their mail for long stays?

Thanks!

They only forward 1st class mail. So if you have magazine subscriptions, they end up in the garbage.

[smurphy]

Originally Posted by Larry P.

This is exactly how we do it and it works very well. There is a little lag time but we receive most of our monthly bills electronically anyway. Ironically the two that we don't get paperless are Citizens First Bank and our monthly Amenity bill.

You can go paperless for your Amenity (Utility) bill. Call the customer service number on your bill and they can set it up for you.

[Emkay56]

I do a temporary change of address and have all our mail forwarded to FL when we are there. I also sign up for informed delivery so I get an email everyday showing me what's coming in the mail. It's very reliable.

Originally Posted by JWish

We have been staying in our TV home for a few weeks off and on for the last few years but are planning to stay for 3 months this winter. 😄

Should we just have the post office forward our mail for those months? How reliable is it, and do you always get your important mail?

Would it be better to have a mail service receive our mail then forward what we want?

How do other snowbirds manage their mail for long stays?

Thanks!

[MikeVillages]

I didn't read all the replies so maybe someone already stated this.

The USPS will temporary do an change of address for upto 6 months then automatically change it back. You can do this in the change if address section on the USPS website. They charge about $1.00 on a credit card to verify you are you.

PS
If you go back sooner then expected, you can change the return date also on the internet.

[jack_pine]

Totaly disagree about the USPS premium forwarding. It iis pricey but we get our mail delivered once a week. It has been flawless for us. Have used it for many years.