Yes — in many cases you can have a package left without a signature. Carrier apps let you pre-authorize release (UPS My Choice signature waiver, FedEx Delivery Manager release, USPS delivery instructions) so the driver can leave the package without waiting for a signature. This is useful if you're not home and want to avoid a missed delivery cycle.
Signature waiver isn't universal. Some services — Certified Mail, Registered Mail, adult-signature, and high-value shipments — require a signature and can't be waived. For those, see what happens if you miss a signature delivery and plan a redelivery or hold for pickup.
Waiving a signature means the carrier leaves the package at your door (or where your delivery instructions say), which raises theft risk — consider hold for pickup for valuable items instead.
What It Means
Signature Waiver Options by Carrier
- UPS My Choice: pre-authorize release so the driver leaves the package without a signature (free and paid tiers).
- FedEx Delivery Manager: sign for a package in advance or authorize release without signature.
- USPS: for Signature Confirmation you can sometimes waive via delivery instructions or a signed notice; Certified Mail and Registered Mail can't be waived.
- All carriers: adult-signature and restricted items always require an in-person signature.
When You Can't Waive
- Certified Mail / Registered Mail
- Adult signature required
- High-value or restricted items
- International in some cases
Why It Happens
Why Signatures Exist and When They Can Be Waived
Signatures protect against theft and prove delivery, reducing delivered but not received disputes. Carriers let you waive when you accept the risk — leaving the package without a signature means you can't later claim it was stolen in some cases. See how often packages are misdelivered for why signature matters on valuable items.
How Long It Lasts
When to Set the Waiver
- Before the delivery attempt: set the waiver in the carrier app so the driver sees it on the scanner.
- After a missed delivery: set waiver/release for the redelivery.
- Too late: once out for delivery, the driver may not see a new waiver in time.
Should You Be Concerned?
Should You Be Concerned?
Waiving is fine for low-value, non-restricted packages. Be concerned for high-value or theft-prone packages — waiving means leaving it unattended, raising delivered but not received risk. Prefer hold for pickup for those. Also note: a waived package can't be "refused" at the door since no one is there — see can I refuse delivery.
What You Can Do
What You Can Do
- Set a signature waiver in UPS My Choice, FedEx Delivery Manager, or USPS delivery instructions.
- Leave a signed release note for the driver if the app doesn't support it.
- For valuable packages, choose hold for pickup instead of waiving.
- If you keep missing signature deliveries, reschedule or change the delivery date.
- For Certified/Registered Mail, plan to be home or authorize an agent.
When to Contact the Carrier
When to Contact the Carrier
If the driver ignores a valid waiver and still attempts a signature, contact support with the tracking number. If the waived package is then delivered but not received, see our guide on that and misdelivery.