Skip to main content

Helpful Mailing Hints for Family Members/Caregivers

Please use the registered legal name of your student on all mail and packages. Please do not use nicknames as our system will not recognize any names other than registered legal names.

Always include the following in your student’s address: their registered legal name (no nick names); name of their residence hall and mailbox number; street address, city, state and zip +4.

Always include a return address on all mail/packages. If we are not able to identify the intended recipient, we will return the item to the return address on the package. Please write legibly or use pre-printed labels

To help manage peak times, please begin shipping letters/packages one week before the start of the semester.

Do not send CASH through mail. Delivery Services is not responsible for cash sent through USPS mail or any overnight service.

Please allow 2-4 weeks for letters/packages to arrive after ordering or mailing.

We recommend using a form of tracking for mail or packages that are time-sensitive or of great value. Some tracking options mail and packages which include: USPS Express Service, Signature Confirmation, Priority Mail, Registered or Certified Mail. Signature Confirmation is the least expensive tracking option.

Accountable items have assigned tracking numbers on the incoming letter/package. Delivery Services logs in all accountable items and obtains your student’s signature upon delivery.

DHL, UPS, and FedEx automatically assigns each piece a unique tracking number and insurance for the first $100 at no additional charge.

Do not over insure. The USPS and other carriers will only pay the actual value of an item, not the insured/declared value.

If you are looking for a package, please provide the following information to your student: the tracking number, carrier used, or some type of specific information about the package. Your student should contact UH Delivers Services for assistance in locating the item. Unless a FERPA authorization is on file, we are not able to provide any information regarding the item in question.

Be sure to address items with your student’s registered legal name and their phone number. If we are not able to clearly identify the recipient of a package and a phone number is listed, we will call the phone number to confirm the intended recipient.

More information about student mail can be found here.