Hold Mail
Going on a trip? Let us hold your mail until you return.
- Secure – Avoid an overflowing mailbox, a tell-tale sign you’re away
- Protected – Prevent loss or damage to mail caused by prolonged exposure to bad weather
- Trusted – Avoid relying on others to bring in mail
About
What is Hold Mail service?
Hold Mail is a convenient way to suspend mail delivery while you’re away from your home or business.
Why hold your mail?
- Secure — Ensure confidential mail is not left for extended periods in your mailbox.
- Protected — Avoid damage to mail from inclement weather.
- Convenient — Submit a request online anytime or at any Post Office.
- Trustworthy — No need to rely on friends and neighbours to bring in your mail.
Features
- Include up to 4 individuals in one residential request.
- Include up to 2 businesses and 2 individuals in one business request.
- We’ll deliver your held mail to you once you return.
Who can apply
Who can submit a Hold Mail request?
- Individuals and families can submit a hold mail request
- Business and combination of business and residential (home based businesses) can submit a request.
The business rate applies where there is a combination of a residential and a commercial hold mail service request on a single application.
Who is not eligible?
You cannot apply online or in person if you receive mail through:
- An institution (e.g. a business, hotel, motel, rooming house, nursing home, hospital, school)
- A shared postal address, such as:
- When several businesses share an identical address.
- You receive your mail through a privately administered mailbox such as at a UPS store.
- When an employee or a division of an organization relocates to a new address.
Rates & prices
Rates & prices
Business |
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$40.95 for the first 5 weekdays. $7.50 for each additional weekday. |
Residential |
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$20 for the first 10 weekdays. $8.95 per additional week (5 weekdays). |
Note: Weekdays include statutory holidays.
The business rate applies where there is a combination of a residential and a commercial hold mail service request on a single application.
How to apply
To hold your mail online:
- Submit your residential request at least 3 business days prior to desired Hold Mail start date and for business requests at least 10 business days prior to desired Hold Mail start date.
- You will need a Canadian credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express), a valid email address, and authority to act on behalf of those listed on your request.
- Keep the reference number you receive in your confirmation email and use it to amend, extend or cancel your service online later on.
We value and protect the privacy and security of you and your business; the information you provide is only used to confirm your identity and is not retained by Canada Post.
Request Hold Mail at a Post Office
Residential Hold Mail request:
- Complete a Hold Mail form at any Post Office at least 3 business days prior to the desired Hold Mail start date.
- To prevent fraud and ID theft, you will need to bring government-issued photo identification with you when you sign up for this service. Read about identification requirements.
Business Hold Mail request:
- Complete a Hold Mail form at any Post Office at least 3 business days prior to the desired Hold Mail start date.
- To prevent fraud and ID theft, you will need to bring government-issued photo identification and supporting documentation proving that you can act on behalf of the business/institution. Read about requirements for identification and supporting documents.
Important Note! When a Hold Mail service is purchased at the post office, and the email address is provided, your service details will be automatically emailed to you, including your reference number. You can use the provided information to extend, amend or cancel your service online.
Extend your service
Extend your Hold Mail service
- You must request an extension before your service expires to avoid set-up fees.
- You must complete a new Hold Mail request if your service has already expired.
Extend online
To extend, amend, or cancel your service, you will need your reference number and password (Your reference number was included in the email confirmation you received when you first purchased the service). Sign in now.
Extend at a Post Office
Please bring your government-issued ID and one of the following:
- The Hold Mail form you received when you purchased your service
- Your receipt
- Your notification card
Privacy
You may be asked to answer some questions based on your credit history to authenticate your identity.
Please note:
- To protect your security, Equifax (Canadian credit bureau) will match your responses to your profile using your date of birth, name, address and a government issued ID you have provided.
- You will be requested to provide your credit card information. Please note that your card will only be charged if you are successfully authenticated.
- At no time will Canada Post have access to your credit information or the questions asked.
- Once you have passed the online authentication you will receive confirmation of your transaction, allowing you to modify or extend your service.
- If you are unable or you do not wish to provide government-issued identification (driver’s licence or SIN) online, please submit a Change of Address in person at your local Post Office using alternative forms of identification.
Our Privacy Commitment
At Canada Post, one of our highest priorities is to respect the privacy and safeguard the personal information of individuals who entrust us with their information. This commitment is fundamental to our business and central to the trust Canadians have in our brand. To obtain information on Canada Post’s privacy policies, please visit the privacy section of our website.
*Based on residential hold mail service
Get Started Now!
Purchase Hold Mail online in 4 easy steps at least 3 business days before your service start date.
Before you begin
1. Check to make sure you are eligible to purchase the Hold Mail service online:
- I have a valid email address and a telephone number
- I have a valid Canadian credit card
- I know my Postal Code
- I am not located in a shared delivery location (dormitory, hospital, hotel or where several businesses share an identical address)
2. Review and agree to the service’s terms and conditions:
This Hold Mail service request is for my personal, residential use only. I agree that providing inaccurate information will result in cancellation of my service without refund, and I understand and agree to the terms and conditions.
All information you submit online is fully encrypted and secure.
Get Started Now!
Purchase Hold Mail online in 4 easy steps at least 5 business days before your service start date.
Before you begin
1. Check to make sure you are eligible to purchase the Hold Mail service online:
- I have a valid email address and a telephone number
- I have a valid Canadian credit card
- I know my Postal Code
- I am not located in a shared delivery location (dormitory, hospital, hotel or where several businesses share an identical address)
2. Confirm if you are purchasing the service for:
3. Review and agree to the service’s terms and conditions:
By purchasing this business Hold Mail service, I hereby agree to have the legal authority to act on behalf of the business/organization named in this request. I agree that providing inaccurate information will result in cancellation of my service without refund, and I understand and agree to the terms and conditions.
All information you submit online is fully encrypted and secure.
- A maximum of 4 individuals or 4 families can be provided per form.
- When a business and individual or family share the same form, the business rate applies.
- Hold Mail requests cannot be accepted from customers who receive mail through:
- An institution such as a business, hotel, dorm, motel, rooming house, nursing home, hospital, or school.
- A shared postal address, e.g. several businesses having a common postal address, privately administered mail boxes.
- Consumer and business rates are based on average mail volumes for residential and non-residential addresses. A business, association, organization or society, etc., is considered non-residential and is subject to business rates.
- Canada Post and its agents (including, but not limited to authorized dealers) shall not be responsible for any direct, indirect, general, special or consequential damages arising out of or in any way connected to this Agreement regardless of whether such damages are based on contract or tort.
- You can extend, amend or cancel this service by signing in with your Reference Number and Password. The service is non-refundable if cancelled after service start date. You can update the names, telephone number and email address at anytime during the service period.
- When a business and individual or family share the same form, the business rate applies.
- Change of Address requests cannot be accepted from customers who receive mail through:
- An institution such as a business, hotel, dorm, motel, rooming house, nursing home, hospital, or school.
- A shared postal address, e.g. several businesses having a common postal address, privately administered mail boxes.
- Priority™, Xpresspost™, Expedited Parcel™ and Regular Parcel™ items will be redirected where possible within Canada only. Should you expect any parcel deliveries, please advise the sender(s) of your new address.
- Consumer and business rates are based on average mail volumes for residential and non-residential addresses. A business, association, organization or society, etc., is considered non-residential and is subject to business rates.
- Canada Post and its agents (including, but not limited to authorized dealers) shall not be responsible for any direct, indirect, general, special or consequential damages arising out of or in any way connected to this Agreement regardless of whether such damages are based on contract or tort.
- You can renew, amend or cancel this service by signing in with your Reference Number and Password. You cannot change the old address; the new address can only be modified prior to the service start date. If you wish to forward mail to a different address that was originally indicated, you need to cancel this service, submit a new request and pay the appropriate fees. The service is non-refundable if cancelled after service start date. You can update the names, telephone number and email address at anytime during the service period.