Columbus Day October 12: Federal Holiday Affects Banks, Post Offices, Agencies
Columbus Day on Monday, October 12, 2026, will close federal offices, post offices, and most banks nationwide, though the stock market remains open. Foreigners and expats should plan ahead for banking, mail, and government services.
October 12, 2026, marks Columbus Day (also called Indigenous Peoples' Day in many jurisdictions), the only federal holiday in October. While it is a federal holiday, its observance is complex and varies by service type and state.
What Closes on Columbus Day
- Federal offices and agencies: Closed nationwide
- Post offices (USPS): Closed to the public; only Priority Mail Express (overnight) service available
- Federal Reserve Banks: Closed; ACH and wire transfer processing halted
- Most commercial banks: Closed; ATM and online access usually available, but transfers settle the next business day
- Many state government offices: Approximately half of U.S. states do not observe Columbus Day as a paid holiday, so services vary by state
What Stays Open
- Stock market (NYSE/NASDAQ): Open for trading
- Some private businesses: Many retail and service businesses remain open
- TD Bank: Notably, TD Bank stays open on Columbus Day (Indigenous Peoples' Day)
What This Means for Foreigners
If you need to mail documents, apply for visas, access government services, or conduct banking transactions, plan around this holiday. Mail sent on October 12 will not be processed until October 13. Bank transfers initiated on or before October 10 will process after October 12; those attempted on the holiday will be delayed. Check your state government website for local office closures, as about half the U.S. does not officially observe Columbus Day.
Sources
Independent app, not a government. General information, not advice. The official source:
