Yes — you can authorize someone else to receive your package. For most non-signature deliveries, a carrier can release the package to anyone at your address (a household member, neighbor, or front desk). For signature-required packages like Certified Mail or Registered Mail, the carrier typically needs a signature from you or an authorized agent, and some services let you pre-authorize a specific person or a delivery location.
How much leeway you have depends on the carrier and service. USPS allows a "delivery authorization" on the back of the Delivery Notice for missed deliveries; UPS and FedEx let you redirect to a hold-for-pickup location or authorize release via their apps. If you regularly miss deliveries, setting up a hold or pickup arrangement is often simpler.
If you want someone else to receive the package on an ongoing basis, consider changing the delivery address or using a hold location they can collect from.
What It Means
Authorization Options by Carrier
- USPS: write authorization on the back of the PS Form 3849 (Delivery Notice) naming who may pick up; the authorized person brings ID. For Certified Mail, a signature from an authorized agent is accepted in many cases.
- UPS: redirect to a hold for pickup location where a designated person can collect with the tracking number and ID.
- FedEx: use FedEx Delivery Manager to authorize release or redirect to a hold location.
- Apartment/office front desks: often accepted as release points for non-signature packages.
Signature-Required Packages
For signature delivery, the signer must be you or an authorized agent. Carriers check ID, and some services (e.g., Registered Mail) are stricter. If no one is available, see what happens if I miss delivery and redelivery.
Why It Happens
Why Carriers Allow Authorized Agents
Carriers want packages delivered and signatures captured; allowing a household member or authorized agent reduces missed deliveries and delivery exceptions. But they limit it to prevent misdelivery and fraud — which is why signature services require ID and written authorization. See how often packages are misdelivered for why strictness matters.
How Long It Lasts
How Long Authorization Takes
- At the door: instant — the carrier releases to anyone at the address for non-signature packages.
- Written authorization: same day if you leave the signed Delivery Notice.
- App-based redirect: minutes via UPS, FedEx, or USPS apps.
Authorization doesn't slow delivery — if anything it prevents a missed delivery cycle.
Should You Be Concerned?
Should You Be Concerned?
Authorization is routine. Be concerned if the package is high-value or signature-required — then unauthorized release can cause a delivered but not received dispute. Also be careful with misdelivery: if the carrier releases to the wrong "authorized" person at a multi-unit building, recovering the package is hard.
What You Can Do
What You Can Do
- Leave a signed Delivery Notice authorizing a named person for USPS.
- Use carrier apps to redirect to a hold-for-pickup or hold location.
- Ask your front desk or office to receive on your behalf for non-signature packages.
- For signature services like Certified Mail, pre-authorize in writing or reschedule.
- If you keep missing deliveries, set up a standing hold or pickup.
When to Contact the Carrier
When to Contact the Carrier
If the carrier won't release to your authorized person, contact carrier support with the tracking number. If the package was released to the wrong person, see delivered but not received and misdelivery.