June 10, 2026
Going Out of Town This Summer? 6 Travel To-Dos You Can Handle Before You Leave
Before a summer trip, most people end up making multiple stops: the post office for mail, a pharmacy or shipping store for passport photos, a notary for paperwork, and somewhere to print travel documents.
What many travelers don’t realize is that PostNet can help with all of those tasks in one visit.
In about 30 minutes, you can take care of mail services, passport photos, notarization, document backups, shipping, and printed travel documents before you leave town.
Here’s a look at six travel-prep tasks worth checking off before your trip—and what you’ll need to bring.
PostNet offers private mailbox rentals with a real street address—not a P.O. Box—which means you can receive packages from major carriers like UPS®, FedEx®, USPS®, and DHL® without needing to be home to accept deliveries.
For travelers, that means peace of mind knowing your mail and packages are secure while you’re away.
For longer trips, frequent travel, or households that receive a high volume of deliveries, a mailbox rental can be a convenient long-term solution.
You can also ask about PostNet’s Virtual Mailbox service, which allows you to manage mail and packages remotely from your phone or computer.
You’ll receive notifications when mail arrives and can choose to:
Unlike a traditional P.O. Box, a Virtual Mailbox includes a real street address for receiving both mail and packages.
Virtual Mailbox services are especially useful for travelers, remote workers, RV owners, and anyone who wants access to their mail while away from home.
What to bring: A valid photo ID if setting up a new mailbox account.
What it is: PostNet takes and prints State Department-compliant passport photos on the spot.
Incorrect passport photos can delay passport applications and renewals. Using a professional passport photo service helps ensure your photo meets current requirements the first time.
The same service can often accommodate passport renewals, child passport photos, and many foreign visa photo specifications.
What to bring: Yourself. That’s it.
What it is: PostNet offers walk-in notary services for documents that often come up before a trip, including powers of attorney, affidavits, rental agreements, and signature verifications.
One commonly overlooked travel document is a notarized travel consent letter for a child traveling without both legal parents or guardians. Some international destinations and airlines may require one.
Most notarizations take only a few minutes.
What to bring:
What it is: Creating copies of important travel documents before departure.
Common documents travelers choose to copy include:
A good rule of thumb is to keep one printed copy separate from the originals and maintain a secure digital backup as well.
It only takes a few minutes and can save significant time and stress if important documents are lost or stolen during your trip.
For international travel, consider including:
What to bring: The original documents.
What it is: Shipping bulky, oversized, or fragile items directly to your destination instead of traveling with them.
Popular ship-ahead items include:
One advantage of shipping through PostNet is the ability to compare rates and delivery options across multiple carriers in one place.
Many travelers choose to ship items directly to:
If shipping to a hotel, it’s always a good idea to call ahead and confirm their package acceptance policies.
What to bring:
What it is: Printing physical copies of the documents you’ll need during your trip.
Common examples include:
Printed backups may seem old-fashioned, but they can be invaluable when batteries die, apps malfunction, or internet access is limited.
A printed copy of key travel documents can provide an extra layer of security when you’re away from home.
What to bring: The files on a USB drive, in an email, or on your phone as a PDF.
| Task | PostNet | Post Office | AAA | UPS Store | Flying / DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mailbox hold (street address) | Yes | P.O. box only | No | Yes (some) | N/A |
| Passport photos (walk-in) | Yes | Some | Some | Yes | DIY (risky) |
| Notary (walk-in) | Yes | Limited | Members only | Some | Search + travel |
| Document copies | Yes | Limited | Limited | Yes | DIY |
| Multi-carrier ship-ahead | Yes (4 carriers) | USPS only | No | UPS only | Airline fees |
| Print itinerary | Yes | No | No | Yes | DIY |
| All in one stop | Yes | No | No | Partial | No |
The single-stop version is what changes the math. Splitting these errands across the post office, AAA, a notary, and a print shop typically takes a half-day. PostNet handles the full list in 30 minutes.
A typical visit might include:
Most travelers can complete the process in a single stop.
Many PostNet Centers take and print State Department-compliant passport photos on-site, often without an appointment. The process typically takes just a few minutes.
USPS offers Hold Mail services for shorter trips. For longer trips or travelers who regularly receive packages from multiple carriers, a private mailbox or Virtual Mailbox service can provide greater flexibility and visibility while away.
A limited power of attorney is commonly used when someone may need authority to handle specific tasks while you’re traveling. A notary can help complete the process when required.
At a minimum, consider bringing:
If a child is traveling without both legal parents or guardians, you may also want to check whether a notarized consent letter is recommended or required.
Travel preparation doesn’t have to mean running all over town.
Many of the tasks travelers need before departure—from passport photos and document backups to shipping and mail services—can be handled in one visit.
If you have a trip coming up, stop by your local PostNet and check a few items off your travel-prep list before you leave.
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