Postmark Dates

Getting Started

When customers ask about a “postmark,” they are usually referring to the date printed on the outside of the envelope by the Post Office. Letters sent through OnlineCertifiedMail will not include a visible postmark date because of the type of postage used.

In This Article

What a Postmark Date Means

When someone refers to a postmark date, they are typically asking what date the Post Office will place on the outside of the envelope.

This date is usually added during the mailing process when postage is printed or when a stamp is canceled by the Postal Service.

How Dates Are Normally Applied to Mail

A visible date is typically added to mail in one of two ways:

  • Postage meter – A machine prints postage directly on the envelope, usually in red ink. Postage meters generally include a printed date.
  • Stamp cancellation – When a letter has a first-class stamp, the Postal Service cancels the stamp and applies a date mark during processing.

These two methods are the most common ways a postmark date appears on mail.

Why Letters Will Not Have a Postmark Date

Letters sent through OnlineCertifiedMail generally do not have a visible postmark date.

This is because the service uses a postal permit (indicia) instead of a postage meter or a stamp. Many commercial mail pieces use this same method, which often appears as pre-printed text such as “First-Class Postage Paid.”

USPS does not apply a postmark or cancelation date to indicia mail like they do with stamps or meter postage.

There are a few additional methods to provide supporting evidence of mailing if needed. For more information, click here.

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