For now, the question is: Can you fax at USPS? And the answer is yes; the process is similar to sending a fax from UPS or FedEx, their common competitors! So before you start searching for a retro fax machine on eBay, head to one of the 31,000 USPS retail offices in the United States and communicate the old-fashioned way. The fax machine is typically located at the customer service desk, so be sure to check with the specific location to confirm the availability of the service.
When Benjamin Franklin was appointed Postmaster General in 1775, messages were largely sent on horseback. While the USPS has moved on, there’s still a place for legacy communication technologies. That’s right, one of the iconic symbols of 1980s America is still alive and well in Post Offices across the nation!
Here’s a brief guide to sending a fax at USPS. If you want an easier solution, however, head towards the bottom of this article for a simpler and faster faxing solution.
Sending a Fax at USPS: A Step-by-Step Guide
You don’t need to be a programmer or a communications expert to send a fax. Once you’ve found your nearest Post Office, all you need are the documents you want to send.
1. Find Your Nearest USPS Retail Office
This is the easy part. Just head to USPS’s Location page and search for the location nearest you. Choose the type of Post Office you’re looking for. Sometimes, the easiest way to send a fax at a USPS location is via a self-service station.
2. Check if your preferred post office offers Faxing Services
Check if your preferred post office offers faxing services by asking the staff at your nearest location—as not all of them do. Alternatively, find your preferred office on the USPS website and check their list of services.
3. Find Out if You Need to Make an Appointment
There’s a good chance that you can simply walk into your local USPS location and ask for the fax service there and then. However, you may need to make an appointment. And even if you don’t, making one will minimize any waiting time and ensure the staff can prepare for your arrival.
4. Gather Your Documents
This is very important. To use the USPS fax service, you’ll need to have the physical documents. Take some time to ensure you have everything before you leave for the store. And if necessary, keep everything in a binder—this will also speed up the process when it’s time to send your documents. Unless you’ve made other arrangements, you should prepare a cover letter. If you don’t have a printer, ask your Post Office if they have printing facilities. If they do, send the letter to them by email.
5. Take the Fax Number with You
An email needs an address, and a fax message needs a fax number. The number will usually look just like a traditional landline phone number, complete with area code. Don’t forget it, as you won’t be able to proceed without it unless you can contact the recipient while you’re in the Post Office.
6. Take Everything to the USPS Location
You have your documents, your cover letter, and your fax number; it’s now time to head to your preferred Post Office. But don’t forget to take some cash. Sending a fax with USPS can cost up to $2 per page. That said, the rates charged by individual Post Offices are usually significantly lower than at the likes of UPS, Staples, and Office Depot.
Some locations offer a self-service fax service, and some do things the old-fashioned way with the help of a cashier behind a counter. If you’re not sure how to use the fax machine or need to scan a document, ask the cashier for help. However, sending a fax usually involves little more than feeding the documents into the machine, dialing the number, and pressing “send.”
7. Get Your Confirmation
The fax machine will scan each page before sending the data down the phone line, and this process takes time. To ensure you leave enough time, give each page around 30 seconds to a minute to send. So, if you’re sending 10 pages, you should expect to be waiting 10 minutes for the process to complete. Once all your documents have been successfully transmitted and received at the other end, the USPS cashier will give you a confirmation note.
Can You Fax at Every Post Office?
The simple answer is “no.” Some Post Offices offer faxing as a dedicated service; some will allow you to use their fax machine as a “favor,” and others simply don’t have faxing facilities. Before you make the trip, call the office and ask a member of staff. You might be able to find out on the USPS website, but this information might be out of date.
