✓ Verified April 30, 2026📚 USPS Guide⏱ 300-word readReviewed by editorial team
In a hurry?USPS Informed Delivery is one of the best free services USPS offers - it emails you scanned photos of incoming mail and tracking for incoming packages. This guide covers signup, the limitations, common troubleshooting (missing photos, no email), and how to escalate to USPS support.
What Informed Delivery Shows You
Photos of incoming letter-size mail: black-and-white scans of the front of envelopes.
Tracking for incoming packages: detailed status of any USPS / UPS / FedEx package shipped to your address.
Daily email digest: typically 7-9 a.m. local time.
Mobile app dashboard: live updates plus delivery instructions.
Coverage: most U.S. residential addresses; some rural routes are excluded due to manual mail processing.
Verify identity online (typically by answering 4-5 multiple-choice questions about your credit history, addresses, or vehicles).
If online verification fails, go to a USPS retail location with photo ID for in-person verification.
Once verified, the dashboard activates within 3-5 business days.
Common Setup Problems
"We can't verify your identity online": Common issue. Try at a USPS retail location with government ID. Ask for the Informed Delivery in-person verification.
"Address not eligible for Informed Delivery": Your address may be on a manual mail route or in an apartment building without scanning capability. No fix - USPS is gradually expanding coverage.
"Address already in use": someone in your household may have already signed up. Each address can have multiple users.
Why You Might Not Get All Mail Photos
Magazines, catalogs, and packages don't get photographed - they don't fit the letter-scanning machine.
Large envelopes (10x13 manila) usually skip scanning.
Hand-addressed mail sometimes skipped if the scanner can't read it.
Mail received the same day as scanning may not show until tomorrow.
About 70% of typical household mail is photographed - the rest gets a generic placeholder.
Troubleshooting Missing Daily Emails
Check your spam folder - emails come from USPSInformedDelivery@usps.gov.
Whitelist the sender in your email client.
Sign in to informeddelivery.usps.com - if photos are there but emails missing, it's an email-delivery issue, not USPS.
Update your email address: Account > Update profile.
If still no emails after 7 days, call 1-800-275-8777.
Identity verification helps prevent address-jacking; if someone sets up Informed Delivery for your address fraudulently, they could see your incoming mail.
If you suspect fraudulent enrollment, call USPS Inspectors at 1-877-876-2455.
Photos are letter-front only - return addresses and postage. Inside contents not visible.
USPS retains the photos for 7 days, then deletes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes - completely free for residential addresses. No subscription, no upsells.
Sometimes - depends on whether your local USPS sorting machine reads the apartment number. Many apartments are eligible; some are excluded.
USPS only scans letter-size mail (about 70% of typical household). Magazines, catalogs, large envelopes, and packages skip scanning - tracking still shows for packages.
USPS's identity verification makes this difficult, but possible if a thief has your name, DOB, and address. Report suspected fraud to USPS Inspectors at 1-877-876-2455.
People Also Ask
Other questions our readers commonly ask about this topic:
Is calling USPS customer service free?
Yes - USPS customer service is reachable on a toll-free U.S. number that does not charge a per-minute fee. Standard mobile-carrier minutes may apply on metered cellular plans. International callers may pay long-distance charges depending on country and carrier. Visit our USPS contact page for current toll-free numbers and hours.
How long does it usually take USPS to resolve an issue like this?
Simple problems (account access, password resets, basic billing questions) typically resolve in a single 10-15 minute call. Complex issues (refund disputes, identity verification, escalated complaints) usually take 3-7 business days because they need supervisor review or document submission. If your case has stalled past 7 business days, escalate to a supervisor or the executive customer service team.
What if USPS customer service refuses to help me?
First, politely ask to escalate to a supervisor or to the executive customer service team. Most brands have an internal "office of the president" that handles complex complaints. If escalation does not resolve it, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org), your state Attorney General consumer-protection portal, and - for finance, telecom, or airline issues - the relevant federal agency (CFPB, FCC, or DOT). Our USPS customer service guide lists the alternate channels.