We apologize in advance that Care Center agents and local Post Offices™ are not able to provide help or assistance recovering lost tracking numbers.
When an item does have a tracking number, it is generated and provided to the sender. If you are the recipient expecting an item, you can ask the sender for that number.
Please keep in mind that not everything has a tracking number. Postcards and First-Class Mail® letters without extra services fall into this category. If you’re unsure what a tracking number looks like, examples can be found in the USPS Tracking page, section “What does my Tracking number look like?”
We invite all customers to sign up for Informed Delivery® notifications by USPS®. Most USPS® domestic packages tied to the address associated with your USPS.com® account will be automatically available on your Informed Delivery® emails and dashboard.
If you are concerned that an item is delayed or lost, whether or not it has a tracking number or you have its tracking number, see the following articles:
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Question
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Explanation
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Reminders
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Where can I find my tracking number?
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You may locate your tracking number on your:
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Remember that postcards, First-Class Mail® letters and flats, and some USPS Marketing Mail® items may not have tracking numbers.
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I didn’t receive a tracking number, but want one for my item.
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It is possible that you did not receive a tracking number because your item does not come with one. Such items include:
- Postcards
- First-Class Mail letters and flats
- Periodicals
- Some USPS Marketing Mail parcels
If the item should include a tracking number:
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When you ship an item, be sure to:
- Add an extra service to your First-Class Mail letter or flat to make it eligible for USPS Tracking
- Mail it as a Priority Mail® letter.
Care Center agents and local Post Offices do not have a way to recover lost tracking numbers.
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I lost or forgot my tracking number
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Local Post Offices and Care Center agents do not have a way to recover lost tracking numbers.
If the recipient is a current Informed Delivery subscriber, they will be able to see the tracking number on their dashboard.
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If you, the sender, misplaced or forgot the tracking number, we suggest using these resources to find that number.
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I’m waiting for an item. Can you tell me what the tracking number is?
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Unfortunately, local Post Offices and Care Center agents do not have a way to find an item’s tracking number.
The easiest way to find the tracking number of an expected item is to ask the sender.
If you are a current Informed Delivery subscriber, you can find the tracking number of expected items in your dashboard.
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If you are not a current Informed Delivery subscriber, you can sign up for it. For any item with USPS Tracking®, recipients are able to view the delivery status of items in Informed Delivery notifications.
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Can I use a redelivery number instead of a tracking number?
If you received a PS Form 3849, We ReDeliver for You! notice, you can use the barcode number on the notice to search on USPS.com® as you would use a tracking number to get information on the mailpiece(s). Note that entering the Redelivery barcode number will return all tracking numbers associated with that delivery attempt.
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Where is the tracking number located on receipts?
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Sales Receipt
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Mailing Receipt
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Printed retail receipt
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Return Receipt
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Printed receipt from a Self-Service Kiosk
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Insurance Under $500
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eReceipt (email)
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Insurance Over $500
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How do I access tracking information?
The type of tracking and delivery information available is based on the class of mail or add-on services you purchased at the time of mailing. Whether you are the sender or recipient, you can track your item:
Can I receive automatic notifications?
Yes. For further information on automatic notifications, see USPS Tracking® - The Basics.
