Mail Services
USPS postmark changes
The United States Post Office recently announced that postmarks are no longer to be used as proof of when an item was dropped off at the post office. The postmark can only be used to determine when a mail piece is first processed by a postal sorting machine. This change is a result of consolidations of USPS processing centers and won’t affect outgoing mail processed and distributed by DES in its Olympia facility. Incoming mail will have the postmark that was applied when processed on a USPS postal sorting machine.
What does this mean to your agency?
You may choose to begin internal conversations about how the term postmark is used and interpreted on your forms and publications. Mail may not be postmarked by the date required even if it is delivered to a post office on that date. One option to mitigate risk is to provide a two-to-three-day grace period for the post office to process and postmark mail.
General information
- About Mail Services
- Contact us
- Map and directions to our facility
- Customer contract (Contract number 02624)
Services & offerings
- Certified mail with electronic return receipt (ERR)
- Inserting and mailing preparation
- Order mail supplies
- Look up a P.O. box, mail stop, or delivery schedule
- Delivery route map