What must be presented to retrieve held mail?

To retrieve held mail, a valid photo ID is required to verify the identity of the individual requesting the mail. This identification ensures that the person collecting the mail is indeed the rightful recipient, protecting against unauthorized access to mail items. A photo ID, such as a driver's license or a passport, is a standard form of identification that confirms the individual's identity in a clear and official manner.

In contrast, while other forms of identification may be useful in different contexts, they do not meet the specific requirement set by USPS for retrieving held mail. For example, a Social Security card does not have a photo, making it insufficient for identity verification in this scenario. A utility bill, while it can indicate an address, does not confirm identity without accompanying photo identification. A birth certificate, despite being a legal document, also does not provide immediate photo identification and is typically not used for this purpose. Therefore, the valid photo ID stands out as the necessary document for this situation.