Has the postmark changed?

The Postal Service applies a postmark to letters with the location of a mail facility and the date. Traditionally, people considered the postmark date to reflect the date the Postal Service received the mail. However, this is not always true. In December 2025, the Postal Service issued a new rule that clarifies that while a postmark shows USPS had possession of your mail on the postmark date, the postmark date does not necessarily reflect the day USPS first received it. The rule also explains that not every piece of mail gets a postmark — so if you don’t see one, it doesn’t mean the Postal Service didn’t accept your letter. If you want to know more, you can visit Postmarking Myths and Facts on the Postal Service’s website.

What if you want a postmark with a date that reflects the day you mailed your letter? Just ask for a local or manual postmark at your post office. The clerk will stamp your letter with the location and date, so everyone can see exactly when it was sent. If you need official proof of the mailing date, you can buy a Certificate of Mailing or a similar service.