Receiving Mail In The US Prior To Green Card

[OHeyItsRick 10]

Hey Y'all,

 

So, super quick question - I'm now residing in the States (due to get married here soon!!) and am just wondering; does anyone know how I'd go about receiving mail at my new address? Like... do I need to register as being a resident here to get my mail (if I'm having mail addressed to me sent here), or what's the standard operating procedure? Do I need to have my green card before I'm classified as living here?

 

Any input would be appreciated!!

[OldUser 6,636]

Receiving mail has nothing to do with immigration status. You can come as a tourist and receive mail. I don't understand the question.

Edited May 24 by OldUser

[OHeyItsRick 10]

1 minute ago, OldUser said:

Receiving mail has nothing to do with immigration status.

Okay? Cool. Is there a process I need to follow in order to receive my mail at my new address then (bearing in mind, I've immigrated here from the UK), or does it just kinda turn up??

[OldUser 6,636]

2 minutes ago, OHeyItsRick said:

Okay? Cool. Is there a process I need to follow in order to receive my mail at my new address then (bearing in mind, I've immigrated here from the UK), or does it just kinda turn up??

You just give address to a sender and they send you mail.

 

I think I'm starting to understand your question... You wonder how to become a resident and get a green card? It's not automatic. How did you enter? How long ago? Were you on visa (which one) or Esta?

Edited May 24 by OldUser

[MalloryCat 189]

do you mean to have the mail you would be receiving in the UK sent to your new address in the US?

 

If that is the case you would need to inquire with the UK postal system to set a forwarding address to your new address in the US.

That is how it works here if you are just moving addresses (contacting the US postal system to set up a forwarding address), so i am not sure if that would be the same processes as the UK

[OldUser 6,636]

22 minutes ago, MalloryCat said:

do you mean to have the mail you would be receiving in the UK sent to your new address in the US?

 

If that is the case you would need to inquire with the UK postal system to set a forwarding address to your new address in the US.

That is how it works here if you are just moving addresses (contacting the US postal system to set up a forwarding address), so i am not sure if that would be the same processes as the UK

I don't believe UK would forward mail to another country... This would be too expensive to implement.

Edited May 24 by OldUser

[OHeyItsRick 10]

26 minutes ago, MalloryCat said:

do you mean to have the mail you would be receiving in the UK sent to your new address in the US?

 

If that is the case you would need to inquire with the UK postal system to set a forwarding address to your new address in the US.

That is how it works here if you are just moving addresses (contacting the US postal system to set up a forwarding address), so i am not sure if that would be the same processes as the UK

 

In part, yes, and you're right - I would need to set up a forwarding address with the UK postal service (which you can do, at a cost).

 

What I meant was more: do I need to inform anyone in the US of my residency at my new address in order to receive mail in my name at my new address. Or is it simply a case of I provide whoever with my address and it just turns up. 

 

Like, do I need to contact USPS and inform them of my residency here, or.

[MalloryCat 189]

ahh ok
no you shouldn't need to inform USPS of your residency.

it is just simply if you give someone your name and address it will show up.

 

technically someone could send something to an address without a name on it at all, and it will still show up to that address.

[OHeyItsRick 10]

1 minute ago, MalloryCat said:

ahh ok
no you shouldn't need to inform USPS of your residency.

it is just simply if you give someone your name and address it will show up.

 

technically someone could send something to an address without a name on it at all, and it will still show up to that address.

Awesome. That was literally all I needed to know. Thank you!

[OldUser 6,636]

50 minutes ago, OldUser said:

I don't believe UK would forward mail to another country... This would be too expensive to implement.

 

84 GBP for 12 months. That's good to know the option is available.

 

https://www.royalmail.com/redirections/new/quote

[Marieke H 2,496]

One thing I learned about mail delivery in the US is that some mail carriers take their job very seriously and compare the name on the piece of mail to the name that is listed inside the mailbox they are delivering to. I have had mail returned to sender because it was addressed to my maiden name instead of my married name (which was the only name on the note inside our mailbox). We easily resolved that by just adding my maiden name to the note, but I believe that there is also a more official way to do that, with a form.

 

Our current mail delivery person is not as strict as the previous one; we now receive tons of mail for previous residents, so the name is not checked at the moment. It just really depends on who delivers your mail. To be safe, I would make sure your last name is listed in the mailbox.

[mam521 2,062]

If you entered the US on an immigrant visa and provided USCIS with one address and then move, you are responsible to inform them within 10 days of moving by filing AR-11.  

 

For the UK - different kettle of fish that's been addressed already.  

[hplusj 135]

3 hours ago, OHeyItsRick said:

Awesome. That was literally all I needed to know. Thank you!

Also to note, if you and your spouse are in a rental, you may want to make sure you're added to the lease so that your name is displayed on the mailbox.  I know, seems rather specific but many USPS workers will not leave mail in a box without the matching name on it.  All depends on where you live.

 

As a homeowner, this is not something of any concern.  Just wanted to put this on your radar.

[powerpuff 6,697]

*** Thread moved to Moving to the US & Your new life in America forum ***

[Bethie 102]

8 hours ago, OHeyItsRick said:

Hey Y'all,

 

So, super quick question - I'm now residing in the States (due to get married here soon!!) and am just wondering; does anyone know how I'd go about receiving mail at my new address? Like... do I need to register as being a resident here to get my mail (if I'm having mail addressed to me sent here), or what's the standard operating procedure? Do I need to have my green card before I'm classified as living here?

 

Any input would be appreciated!!

Did you check with the UK post before coming here ?