Here is an overview of the most important points to getting your mail and packages here and processed seamlessly:

1. How do I address my mail and packages? This applies to Grace Street residents as well.

a. Your student’s NAME must be on the package. Please don’t use nicknames. Please don't send packages addressed in parent's name. We don't know parent's names (this actually happens a lot).
1. First Name Last Name
800 S. Main St.
JMU Box ____
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Mailbox numbers will be available on MyMadison. For incoming Freshmen, mailbox numbers will be assigned no earlier than August 7th, but within 2 weeks after. Returning students that had a mailbox last semester should keep the same mailbox number, but it is not guaranteed. If you are a returning student moving to/from Grace St., your mailbox number will change. Mail for students living at Grace St. will be sent to their mailbox at Grace Street. Packages will still be picked up at the Union. For security reasons, all mailbox combinations are changed every summer. Due to Virginia State legislation, student mailbox numbers can only be retrieved by the student them self via MyMadison. We cannot give mailbox numbers over the phone to anyone. Only students that live ON CAMPUS (including Grace St) can be assigned a mailbox here. Students living OFF CAMPUS will have their mail serviced directly through the Harrisonburg Post Office.

2. The beginning of the new semester is CRAZY busy and the lines will be long! We will have THOUSANDS of packages arriving daily. We are NOT the United States Postal Service. Your tracking indicating a package was delivered on a certain day DOES NOT mean delivered HERE. It goes to the Harrisonburg Post Office first. Often, we will not receive it until the next business day. PLEASE be patient if your package isn’t processed the same day it is received here. We are working as fast as we can.

3. Over-sized packages (bicycles, futons, carpeting, mini fridges, etc.) should be shipped as:
a. Address as: Central Warehouse
181 Patterson Street
James Madison University
MSC 7007
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Clearly mark the package with your name, campus mailbox number, residence hall name, room number and phone number. Please note that Warehouse hours for pickup are Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4pm. Call (540)568-6450 if you have questions.

4. If a package arrives at 800 S. Main Street that is too large for your student to carry, we offer delivery service to their dorm for $25.

5. Mail arrives here once a day. It is put in mailboxes immediately. Undeliverable mail will be delayed until the correct addressee can be identified. Normally, this is done the same day. At the beginning of a semester, this may take a few days as quantity is MUCH higher at this time.

6. You will only be notified of packages. Not mail. Packages are defined as anything that has a tracking number, mail too large to fit in the mailbox and mail marked “Do not bend”. For example, a certified letter will be considered a package even though it will fit in the mailbox because it has tracking on it. Anything that must be signed for is considered a package. We do have accommodation for packages that need to be refrigerated such as perishables and medicine as long as it is clearly marked as such. Check your mailbox AT LEAST once per week to avoid overfilling.

7. Processing packages. Once a package is scanned in, an email is automatically sent to your Duke’s JMU email address. If you are expecting a package and have not seen an email from us, check your SPAM filter or the “Other” folder in your JMU email account. They will often be found there. If you receive an email indicating your package has been delivered, MAKE SURE the email is from JMU Mail Service. You may also receive emails from the sender that your package was delivered, but that doesn’t mean it’s here yet. If you are unsure, bring your tracking number to the front window for assistance.

8. Picking up your package(s). Once you receive your package notice via email, wait at least 2 hours to come and pick up. The email is sent when it is scanned in. It has not finished processing yet. If you come immediately, your package WILL NOT BE READY for pickup. If you are expecting multiple packages, do not assume they all arrived at the same time. Packages do not arrive in any type of order. They may not even arrive via the same carrier. Carrying several large packages on your own may be tricky. Bring help. If you have to leave packages behind, return immediately to pick them up.

9. How to pick up packages. When you arrive at Mail Services, scan your JAC card using the black kiosk in the hallway (this notifies us that you are here and your package is brought up front). Follow instructions and move up to the front of the Service Windows. We will call out your MAILBOX NUMBER. If you are on your cell phone, or have headphones on/in and cannot hear your number being called to step forward, we will assume you are no longer there. Your package will be returned to storage and we will move on to the next customer. When you hear your mailbox number called, step up to the window that called your number, scan your JAC card again, receive your package.

10. Only YOU can pick up your package. You MUST have picture ID available. Preferably your JAC Card, but drivers license or electronic ID will work. If you do not have a picture ID, you WILL NOT receive your package. A friend or parent may pick up a package for you only if you email us beforehand at mailservice@jmu.edu with your name, mailbox number, and the name of the person picking up the package. NO EXCEPTIONS.

11. Opening your mailbox. Posters are located on the walls throughout the mailboxes with instructions on opening the boxes. If you still experience problems, come to the front window and one of us will help you. Mailboxes are not the same as school lockers. The combinations do not work exactly the same way. We also have a video with detailed instructions on opening the boxes on the front page of this site and our Facebook page.

12. Mailbox Combinations. Your combination will be found in your MyMadison account. If using a cell phone to access, you must use the Full Site option. Log in to your account. Click Student Center and scroll to Personal Information. At Local Address, you will see only James Madison University. Click edit. You will then be given the mailbox number. At the top of the page, there will be a blue link to View PO Box and Combination. Here, you can get the combination for your mailbox. Do not click edit again. Do not change anything on your Local Address. Doing so will close your mailbox. You are not able to reopen it yourself.

13. When checking mailbox for mail, open the door. Just peeking through the little window may not allow you to see mail laying flat on the bottom.

14. Our normal service windows are open Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm. Saturdays, 10am to 2pm. At the beginning of the semester, we may have extended hours. If so, they will be posted by the front door to Mail Services. We will also post on Mail Services Facebook Page.  Mailboxes are accessible as long as the building is open.

15. For your convenience, we sell stamps, envelopes and packaging materials. You can send mail and packages from Mail Services via USPS and UPS. We will accept outgoing FedEx packages only if they have a pre-printed, postage paid label attached.
When sending mail/packages, bring your item pre-packaged and addressed. This will make the transaction much quicker. If you need to pay for stamps or shipping, we accept Cash, Check and FLEX only.
We cannot accept Credit/Debit cards at this time.

You may always contact Mail Services with any questions via email at mailservice@jmu.edu or phone
540-568-6257. You can also check our Facebook Page or our page on the JMU website for any updates or changes to postal services.