How to Contact a Local Post Office

You'll need to contact your local post office if you are looking for tracking information on a package you have sent or expect to receive, or if you are experiencing any issues with your mail delivery. With such a technical world, it's easy to assume everything and anything can be done online, but contacting your local post office must be done by phone or in person.

If you're unsure where your local post office is located, you can find the nearest office by searching the United States Postal Service (USPS) website. Once you're on the website and are on the Find Locations page, choose the location type. Options for regular post office help, self-kiosk services, passports, pick-up services and more will be on display for you to choose. Next, type in your city and state or zip code. Choose the miles, and the results will show upon submitting.

Once you find the closest location to your home, you will see the address, and some of the locations display their hours of operation. If you're looking to call the post office, you can enter the address displayed from the search results into Google. The phone number should show up.

If you can't find the phone number at all for a specific location, there is one more option. You can call 800-ASK-USPS to receive further assistance. The representative will be able to give you the phone number of any post office location you need.

Before you make a trip to the local post office, decide which type of service or services you need. For example, if you want a passport, it's important to know that not all post office locations will offer that service. You can call before going in or use the USPS website location finder to see which locations have the services you are looking for. If you are going in for a passport, bring all the documentation you need so you don't have to go back again. You will need the following to apply for a passport:

• Proof of United States citizenship
  
• Government-issued photo identification (military or driver's license)
  
• Color passport photo
  
• Check or money order for the passport fee.
  

You can receive help with a package you mailed or are expecting at all locations, as long as it was sent through the USPS and not UPS or FedEx. If you need help with a package, having a tracking number will speed the process along.