Can you imagine that your immigration case is already approved and you are impatiently waiting for your documents to arrive in the mail, but they get lost along the way? Unfortunately, this is one of the problems that most affects immigrants. However, you who are reading this article don't have to worry about that anymore. Today we are going to show you some tricks you can do with USPS (United States Postal Service), the mail service with which USCIS sends all important documents. Let's begin!
Set up Informed Delivery to know when a document is arriving to you
Informed Delivery is a free USPS service that shows you photos of the mail you will receive that day, as well as status updates on incoming and outgoing packages. Every morning you will receive an email with that information. This service is completely free.
How can you sign up? It's very easy. We will now explain each step.
First you must verify that your address is eligible for the service. To do that you will go to this page and fill in the fields requested there.
Once you confirm that your address is eligible, you must create an account on USPS here.
When creating the account, you will likely be asked for proof that you live at that address, such as a water bill, electricity bill, etc. It does not have to have your name on it, it just needs to show the address.
When everything is ready you can start receiving informed delivery.
Forward the mail to your new address
(This segment is for those people who have moved, have not changed their address and, of course, do not want to lose their documents.)
If this is your case, you have no reason to worry. USPS also offers a mail forwarding service.
Although mail forwarding can begin 3 business days after submitting your request, USPS recommends doing it 2 weeks in advance. You can do the process at your local post office or you can also do it online at this address.
How to change your address online
Select a moving option: “Individual,” “Family,” or “Business,” and fill out the form.
Verify your identity: Enroll online to receive a verification code or link on your mobile phone or go to a Post Office with an acceptable photo ID to complete the in-person identity verification process.
Pay the identity verification fee of $1.10.
USPS will email you a confirmation code. Use that code if you need to modify or cancel your request.
You will receive a welcome kit at your new address, featuring coupons from USPS partners.
The mail will be forwarded to your new address piece by piece.
Extended email forwarding
Standard mail forwarding lasts 12 months. However, you can pay to extend mail forwarding for an additional 6, 12, or 18 months (18 months is the maximum).
To purchase this service, you can add it when you submit your change of address request for the first time or later on edit your request. (USPS will also send you an email reminder when you have 1 month left on your mail forwarding.)
It is important to note that the change of address request only changes your mailing address with the post office. You must still notify government agencies (for your benefits, driver's license, and voter registration) and businesses (banks, insurance, online stores, etc.).
Note: When your mail forwarding period ends, USPS will return your mail to the sender for 6 months with a label showing your new address.
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