At a Glance
- USPS rule formally defines the practice of postmarking.
- Mail may not be postmarked on the day it’s dropped off.
- To guarantee the date, request a manual postmark at a counter.
- Why it matters: Voters and bill-payers rely on postmark dates for deadlines.
The United States Postal Service has issued a new rule that clarifies what postmarking actually means and how it can affect important mail, from ballots to bills.
What the New Rule Says
The rule formally defines the practice of postmarking and explains that it is often used as a deadline for important pieces of mail, such as ballots or bills.
USPS says:
> “while the presence of a postmark on a mailpiece confirms that the Postal Service was in possession of the mailpiece on the date of the postmark’s inscription, the postmark date does not inherently or necessarily align with the date on which the Postal Service first accepted possession of the mailpiece.”
In other words, your mail isn’t always postmarked on the date you drop it in a mailbox or at a post office.
- Many states require ballots to be postmarked before or on Election Day.
- Bills must be postmarked by a certain date or they are considered late.
- USPS anticipates more discrepancies as it implements the “Delivering for America” plan.
How to Make Sure Your Mail is Postmarked
If you want to make sure your mail is postmarked on the date you send it out, the USPS advises going to a post office counter and requesting a manual postmark.
- Drop your mail at a counter instead of a mailbox.
- Ask the clerk for a manual postmark.
- Keep the receipt as proof of the postmark date.
Key Takeaways
- The rule clarifies that postmark dates may differ from drop-off dates.
- Voters and bill-payers need to verify postmark dates to meet deadlines.
- A manual postmark guarantees the date you send your mail.
With the new rule in place, anyone sending time-sensitive mail should double-check the postmark date or opt for a manual postmark to avoid missing critical deadlines.
