Registered services must obtain evidence of identity from their customers and retain copies of those documents. Since 1 October 2007, borough councils in London are empowered to require local private mail forwarding services to register with them, under the London Local Authority Act 2007, section 75. Redirection is made for a period of up to one year for individuals, NGOs and non-profit organizations, or up to three years for businesses and other entities. MaltaPost provides a redirection of mail service, ranging from a move of a few days to a permanent move, including overseas. Private mail forwarders were also used before the Universal Postal Union standardized the way international mail was delivered and paid for, for example to send mail via a third country.

Private mail forwarding services tend to offer additional services that might not be provided by governmental services, such as mail scanning services, online mailbox management and various domestic and international delivery options. The mail forwarding service offered by postal authorities should be distinguished from private mail forwarding services. Customers of such a service usually, but not exclusively, use mail forwarding when they change an address. British Royal Mail provides a service called Mail Redirection, enabling redirection for up to two years. In the case of the United States Postal Service's First Class Mail, it is generally for a period of one year. Post offices and other mail service providers typically offer a mail forwarding service, commonly known as hybrid mail or virtual post office box services, to redirect mail addressed to one location to another address – usually for a given period. ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) ( September 2009) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate. The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject.

Form to forward mail usps