U.S. Postal Service opens mailroom for 2026 Operation Santa program
September 16, 2026
With the holiday season on the horizon, the U.S. Postal Service announced that Santa’s mailbox is officially open, launching the 114th year of its beloved USPS Operation Santa program.
Children and families across the country can now begin mailing their holiday wish lists directly to the North Pole. The long-running initiative connects hopeful letter writers with generous donors and community members who volunteer to “adopt” letters and help fulfill holiday wishes.
How to Send Letters to Santa
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Mailing Address: Letters must be addressed to:
Santa Claus
123 Elf Road
North Pole, 88888
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Addressing Requirements: Envelopes must include a valid first-class postage stamp and a full, legible return address—including full name, street address, apartment or unit number, city, state, and ZIP code—written clearly in the upper left-hand corner.
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Deadline: Letters must be postmarked by December 5 to be eligible for potential online adoption and fulfillment.
Key Dates for Adopters
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November 2: Registration and identity verification open online for individuals and community groups interested in adopting letters.
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November 16: The official letter adoption window opens, allowing verified adopters to browse wishes and send gifts.
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December 12: Final day for adopters to claim letters and ship packages for delivery in time for Christmas.
While the Postal Service notes that submitting a letter does not guarantee adoption, early submissions give volunteers the best opportunity to review and fulfill requests. Families and prospective adopters can find full letter-writing guidelines and registration details at USPSOperationSanta.com.
