10 Backdating and Pre–Dating

It is the policy of the Postal Service to prohibit backdating and pre–dating of mail except in the following cases:

1. When postal operating requirements and public demand necessitate that postmarking commence before and/or continue after the date contained in the postmark. However, under no circumstances may any postmarked material be released before the date of the postmark.
2. When replacements are made for damaged, defective, or missing postmarks or covers.
3. When all requirements for postmarks are met by a customer but postmarks are not applied because of errors by Postal Service personnel.
4. When authorization is specifically provided in writing by a Stamp Services manager.