What Is Indirect Signature Required?

Indirect Signature Required means:

• A signature must be obtained before the package is released
• But the signature can come from a neighbor at an adjacent address or building staff/management
• The courier has the most flexibility of any signature type here
• In some cases, the courier may leave the package in a secure location (like a building mailroom) and note it as delivered
• No age restriction — any adult in the vicinity qualifies

How it differs from other signature types:

| Type | Who Can Sign | |---|---| | Indirect Signature Required | Recipient, neighbor, or building staff | | Direct Signature Required | Someone at your delivery address only | | Adult Signature Required | Someone 21+ at your delivery address, with ID |

In practice: For apartment buildings, the building concierge or management typically signs, and you pick up your package from them. For houses, an adjacent neighbor can sign and hold the package for you. This makes Indirect the most manageable signature requirement for people who aren't home during delivery hours.

Shippers choose Indirect Signature Required for:

1. Lower-to-moderate value items Items where the shipper wants confirmation that the package reached the right area (not just left on a porch), but doesn't need strict identity verification.

2. Standard consumer electronics Laptops, phones, and similar items often ship with Indirect Signature as a standard practice.

3. Insurance compliance Some  shipping insurance policies require a signed delivery receipt. Indirect Signature provides this at minimal inconvenience to the recipient.

4. Carrier service defaults Some standard service levels automatically include Indirect Signature as a base feature for packages above a certain weight or value.

5. Anti-porch-piracy measure Shippers use Indirect Signature to prevent packages from sitting on doorsteps where they can be stolen.

Indirect Signature Required is active for the full shipment, but it's the easiest to work around:

• If a neighbor signs: Package is released at your neighbor's address — you collect it from them
• If building staff signs: Package is at your front desk or mailroom
• If nobody signs: Delivery attempt fails; automatic reattempt next business day

After failed attempts:

• 2–3 attempts: Carrier reattempts on subsequent business days
• 3–10 days: Package held at local carrier facility
• After hold period: Returned to sender

Tip: For Indirect, a signed note on your door directing the courier to your neighbor or building management is often honored by carriers (unlike Direct or Adult Signature).

No — Indirect Signature Required is very manageable. Even without being home, there are reliable solutions.

You're fine if:

• You have a building concierge or mailroom
• You have a cooperative neighbor nearby
• You can leave a note directing the courier
• You're happy to reschedule or pick up

Only act urgently if:

• You've had 2+ failed attempts
• You live alone in a house with no nearby neighbors
• The hold period is running out

Option 1: Let your building handle it If you live in an apartment or building with front-desk staff, they'll typically sign for Indirect Signature packages automatically. Just check with your building management and retrieve the package when you're home.

Option 2: Leave a signed note directing the courier For Indirect Signature Required, leaving a note is often effective:

• Write: "Please deliver to [Neighbor Name] at [Unit/Address] if I'm not available"
• Include your name and unit number
• This works better for this signature type than for Direct or Adult

Option 3: Ask a neighbor in advance Let your neighbor know a signature-required package is coming. They can sign and hold it for you. Simple, effective, and requires no carrier interaction.

Option 4: Use carrier online tools Set formal delivery instructions or reschedule:

• UPS: UPS My Choice — authorize delivery to a neighbor officially
• FedEx: FedEx Delivery Manager — set delivery instructions
• DHL: DHL On Demand Delivery
• USPS: USPS Redelivery

Option 5: Reschedule for a day you're home If none of the above are feasible, simply reschedule through the carrier's online tools for a day you can be present.

Option 6: Pick up from facility Collect yourself from the carrier's local depot. Any adult with photo ID can pick up an Indirect Signature package — no age restriction.

For Indirect Signature Required, you rarely need to contact the carrier directly — the online tools handle most scenarios. Contact them if:

• Online tools aren't working
• You want to confirm that your building management can accept the package
• Multiple attempts have failed and you need status

Carrier contacts:

• USPS: 1-800-275-8777
• UPS: 1-800-742-5877
• FedEx: 1-800-463-3339
• DHL: 1-800-225-5345

Related guides:

• What does Signature Required mean?
• What is Direct Signature Required?
• What is Adult Signature Required?
• Can someone else sign for my package?
• What happens if nobody is home for a signature delivery?