Important USPS Postmark Changes That May Affect Time-Sensitive Mail

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) finalized a rule on December 24, 2025, clarifying how postmarks are applied due to changes in delivery timelines under the Delivering for America Plan. Postmark dates are often used to verify deadlines for tax filings, benefit applications, and financial documents.

Postmarks are typically applied by machines at processing facilities based on the first processing date, which may differ from the date mail is dropped off. To ensure your mail receives a specific postmark date, USPS offers three options:

Request a Manual Postmark: Bring your mail to a post office and request a free manual postmark showing the date it was accepted.
Use Certified or Registered Mail: These services provide proof of mailing and delivery verification.
Purchase a Certificate of Mailing: This provides documentation of the date USPS accepted your mail.

If you experience delayed or missing mail, contact your local post office. You can find locations at https://tools.usps.com/locations/. Mail theft or service issues can be reported to the USPS Office of Inspector General at https://www.uspsoig.gov/hotline or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at https://www.uspis.gov/report.

If you have questions about mailing payments or important documents to our bank, please contact us at 1-800-272-0159.

For more details, see Senator Chuck Grassley’s statement on this issue, available on his official website:
https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/view_newsletter.aspx?id=131410&c=SenGrassley