Effective June 23, 2019, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), in various sections to provide clarity and consistency about forms of identification required from customers for some types of postal products and services.
The Postal Service will add new section 608.10.0, “Forms of Identification,” which lists and defines acceptable and unacceptable forms of identification. DMM 608.10.0 will include the following:
1. A table listing products and services that require an acceptable primary form of identification and which products and services listed also require an acceptable secondary form of identification.
2. A list of types of photo identification that the Postal Service considers primary forms, with a definition of each and a table showing which the Postal Service will accept as a primary form of identification for each product and service.
3. A list of acceptable secondary forms of identification and a description of each. Examples of unacceptable forms of identification.
Changes include that the Postal Service will accept as primary forms of identification some types of foreign identification, such as for establishing PO Box™ service.
The Postal Service also will revise applicable product- and service-related sections of the DMM to reference section 608.10.0 and to remove inconsistent and redundant text. This includes revising section 507.2.1.4a to state that customers must provide an acceptable primary form of identification as specified under 608.10.3 when presenting PS Form 3575, Official Mail Forwarding Change of Address Order, at a Post Office™. The Postal Service will update PS Form 3575 to reflect this requirement.
Other filing methods for a change of address will remain the same (i.e., mail, presenting PS Form 3575 at a Post Office, or using Internet Change of Address at moversguide.usps.com).
In addition, USPS® will update Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®) and Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, to include these revisions.
Although the Postal Service will not publish these revisions in the DMM until June 23, 2019, the standards are effective immediately.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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500 Additional Mailing Services
503 Extra Services
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8.0 USPS Signature Services
8.1 Basic Standards
8.1.1 Description
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[Revise the second sentence in the introductory text of item c. to read as follows:]
c. ***Prior to delivery, the recipient must provide an acceptable primary form of identification as specified under 608.10.3.***
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9.0 Collect on Delivery (COD)
9.1 Basic Standards
9.1.1 Description
[Revise the fourth sentence in 9.1.1 to read as follows:]
***The recipient has the option to pay the COD charges (with a single form of payment) by cash, personal check, or money order made payable to the mailer. (The USPS employee will accept the payment and deliver the mail item upon the recipient’s presentation of an acceptable primary form of identification as specified under 608.10.3).***
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505 Return Services
1.0 Business Reply Mail (BRM)
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1.2 Permits
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1.2.2 Application Process
[Revise the text of 1.2.2 by adding a new second sentence to read as follows:]
***Customers must provide with the completed PS Form 3615 acceptable primary and secondary forms of identification as specified under 608.10.0. ***
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3.0 Merchandise Return Service (MRS)
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3.2 Basic Standards
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3.2.6 Application Process
[Revise the text of 3.2.6 by adding a new second sentence to read as follows:]
***Customers must provide with the completed PS Form 3615 acceptable primary and secondary forms of identification as specified under 608.10.0.***
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4.0 Parcel Return Service
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4.2 Basic Standards
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4.2.5 Approval
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[Revise the text of item a. to add a new last sentence to read as follows:]
a. ***PRS permit holders must submit the authorization letter and PS Form 3801, Standing Delivery Order, to each applicable facility. An acceptable primary form of identification as specified under 608.10.3 is required before each pickup.
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507 Mailer Services
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2.0 Forwarding
2.1 Change-of-Address Order
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2.1.4 Methods of Filing
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[Revise the text of item a. to read as follows:]
a. Mail or present PS Form 3575 to any Post Office, or as the Postal Service otherwise directs. Customers must provide an acceptable primary form of identification as specified under 608.10.3 when presenting PS Form 3575 at the Post Office.
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3.0 Hold for Pickup
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3.2 Basic Information
3.2.1 Description
[Revise the text of 3.2.1 by adding a new second sentence to read as follows:]
***The addressee or designee must provide an acceptable primary form of identification as specified under 608.10.3.***
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508 Recipient Services
1.0 Recipient Options
1.1 Basic Recipient Concerns
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1.1.5 Addressee Identification
[Revise the text of 1.1.5 to read as follows:]
If the delivery employee does not know the person claiming to be the addressee, delivery employees may withhold from claimants certain mail pending presentation of an acceptable primary form of identification as specified under 608.10.3, or if suitable under 508.6 for general delivery.
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1.1.7 Priority Mail Express and Accountable Mail
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[Revise the text of item c. to read as follows:]
c. An acceptable primary form of identification as specified under 608.10.3 may be required of the recipient before delivery of the mailpiece.
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1.1.8 Additional Delivery Standards for Restricted Delivery
[Revise the introductory text of 1.1.8 to read as follows:]
In addition to following standards specified under 1.1.7, postal employees must deliver mail marked “Restricted Delivery” only to the addressee or person authorized in writing as the addressee’s agent and under the following conditions: (Note: USPS may require an acceptable primary form of identification as specified under 608.10.3 from the addressee or agent receiving the mail.)
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1.8 Commercial Mail Receiving Agencies
1.8.1 Procedures
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[Revise the text of item b. to read as follows:]
b. Each CMRA must register with the Post Office responsible for delivery. Any person who establishes, owns, or manages a CMRA must provide PS Form 1583-A, Application to Act as a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency, to the postmaster (or designee) responsible for the delivery address. The CMRA owner or manager must complete all entries and sign the PS Form 1583-A.
The CMRA owner or manager must provide acceptable primary and secondary forms of identification as specified under 608.10.0. The I.D. must contain sufficient information to confirm that the applicant is who he or she claims to be and is traceable to the bearer. The postmaster (or designee) may retain a photocopy of the acceptable form of identification for verification and must list and record on PS Form 1583-A (block 10) sufficient information to identify the two types of acceptable forms of identification presented. Furnishing false information on the application or refusing to provide required information is reason for denying the application. If any information required on PS Form 1583-A changes, the CMRA owner or manager must file a revised application (write “revised” on the form) with the postmaster.
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1.8.2 Delivery to CMRA
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[Revise the text of item a. to read as follows:]
a. Mail delivery to a CMRA requires that the CMRA owner or manager and each addressee complete and sign PS Form 1583, Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent. Spouses may complete and sign one PS Form 1583. Each spouse must provide acceptable primary and secondary forms of identification as specified under 608.10.0. Any information required on PS Form 1583 that differs for one spouse from information the other provided must be entered in the appropriate box. A parent or guardian may receive delivery of a minor’s mail by listing the name(s) of each minor on PS Form 1583 (block 12).
The CMRA owner or manager, authorized employee, or a notary public must witness the signature of the addressee. The addressee must complete all entries on PS Form 1583. The CMRA owner or manager must verify the documentation to confirm that the addressee resides or conducts business at the permanent address shown on PS Form 1583. The address is verified if there is no discrepancy between information on the application and the identification presented.
If information on the application does not match the identification, the applicant must substantiate to the CMRA that the applicant resides or conducts business at the address shown. A document from a governmental entity or recognized financial institution or a utility bill with the applicant’s name and current permanent address may be used for such purpose.
If the applicant is unable to substantiate the address, the CMRA must deny the application. Furnishing false information on the application or refusing to provide required information is reason for withholding the addressee’s mail from delivery to the agent and returning it to the sender.
If any information required on PS Form 1583 changes, the addressee must file a revised application (write “revised” on the form) with the CM–RA. The addressee must provide acceptable primary and secondary forms of identification as specified under 608.10.0. These forms must contain sufficient information to confirm that the applicant is who he or she claims to be and is traceable to the bearer. The CMRA owner or manager may retain a photocopy of the identification for verification purposes. The CMRA owner or manager must list and record on PS Form 1583 (block 8) sufficient information to identify the acceptable primary and secondary forms of identification presented and write on PS Form 1583 (block 3) the complete CMRA delivery address used to deliver mail to the addressee.
4.0 Post Office Box Service
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4.2 Service
4.2.1 Application
[Revise the introductory text of 4.2.1 to read as follows:]
Customers may apply for PO Box service by completing PS Form 1093, Application for Post Office Box Service, at a Post Office or online and presenting it to any postal retail facility. When submitting an application, all applicants listed on the application (including both spouses and other individuals listed, except for minors) each must present two items of valid, current identification. One must be an acceptable primary form of identification, as specified under 608.10.3, and the other an acceptable secondary form of identification, as described under 608.10.4. Both must contain sufficient information to confirm the applicant’s identity and be traceable to the bearer.
Furnishing false information or refusing to provide required information may be sufficient reason to deny the application or discontinue service. If any information required on PS Form 1093 changes, the box customer must update the application. Application procedures are as follows:
a. In all cases:
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[Delete item a5 in its entirety.]
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5.0 Caller Service
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5.3 Service
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5.3.1 Application
[Revise the text of 5.3.1 to read as follows:]
To reserve a caller number for future use or to apply for caller service, applicants must complete all relevant spaces on PS Form 1093-C, Application for Post Office Caller Service, and submit it to any postal facility that provides retail service. The facility need not be the one where the applicant desires destination caller service. An incomplete or falsified application is sufficient reason to deny or discontinue service. An application is not considered approved until USPS verifies the applicant’s identity. Types of primary and secondary forms of identification that the Postal Service will accept are listed under 608.10.0.
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5.8 Accelerated Reply Mail (ARM)
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5.8.9 USPS Actions
[Revise the text of 5.8.9 to read as follows:]
USPS will not provide ARM service until it verifies the applicant’s primary and secondary forms of identification as acceptable under 608.10.0, confirms service availability at the requested facility, and makes scheme preparations.
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7.0 Premium Forwarding Services
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7.2 Premium Forwarding Service Residential
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7.2.4 Use
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[Revise item a. by adding a new last sentence to read as follows:]
a. ***Customers must provide with the completed PS Form 8176 acceptable primary and secondary forms of identification as specified under 608.10.0.
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8.0 Firm Holdout
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8.2 Obtaining and Using Service
[Revise the text of 8.2 by adding a new third sentence to read as follows:]
***USPS requires each employee or authorized agent to provide an acceptable primary form of identification as specified under 608.10.3.***
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509 Other Services
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3.0 Money Orders
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3.2.2 Purchase Restrictions
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[Revise the text of item b. to read as follows:]
b. Any customer whose daily total of purchased money orders is $3,000 or more, regardless of the number of visits the customer makes to one or more postal facilities, must complete PS Form 8105-A, Funds Transaction Report (FTR), and show an acceptable primary form of identification as specified under 608.10.3.
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3.3 Cashing Money Orders
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3.3.2 Redemption
[Revise the third sentence of 3.3.2 to read as follows:]
***Any customer whose daily total of cashed money orders exceeds $10,000, regardless of the number of Post Offices the customer visits to cash the money orders, must also complete PS Form 8105-A, Funds Transaction Report (FTR), and show an acceptable primary form of identification as specified under 608.10.3.
3.3.3 Identification
[Revise the first sentence of 3.3.3 to read as follows:]
When presenting a money order for payment, customers seeking payment must sign in the presence of a USPS employee. An acceptable primary form of identification as specified under 608.10.3 can be required.***
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600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
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604 Postage Payment Methods and Refunds
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3.0 Precanceled Stamps
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3.2 Permit to Use Precanceled Stamps
3.2.1 Authorization to Use Precanceled Stamps
[Revise the text of 3.2.1 by adding a new second sentence to read as follows:]
***Customers must provide with the completed PS Form 3615 acceptable primary and secondary forms of identification as specified under 608.10.0.***
5.0 Permit Imprint (Indicia)
5.1 General Standards
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5.1.4 Permit and Application Information
[Revise the text of 5.1.4 by adding a new second sentence to read as follows:]
***Customers must provide with the completed PS Form 3615 acceptable primary and secondary forms of identification as specified under 608.10.0.***
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9.0 Exchanges and Refunds
9.1 Stamp Exchanges
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9.1.4 Purchase Error
[Revise the last sentence of 9.1.4 to read as follows:]
***Customers exchanging $250 or more per person of such stock must provide an acceptable primary form of identification as specified under 608.10.3, and must present the stock for exchange to the postal unit where their mail is delivered.
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608 Postal Information and Resources
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[Add new section 608.10, Forms of Identification, to read as follows:]
608.10 Forms of Identification
10.1 General
This section describes the products and services that require forms of acceptable identification, the number of forms of acceptable identification (primary and secondary), the acceptable forms of primary and secondary identification, and forms of unacceptable identification as follows:
a. Section 10.2 provides a table of the products and services that require forms of acceptable identification and the number of forms (primary and secondary) required.
b. Section 10.3 provides a description of primary forms of acceptable identification and a table of which forms are acceptable for each product and service.
c. Section 10.4 provides a description of secondary forms of acceptable identification.
d. Section 10.5 provides examples of forms of unacceptable identification.
10.2 Products and Services Requiring Acceptable Identification
The Postal Service requires customers to provide acceptable and current proof of identity to receive specific products or apply for some services. Exhibit 10.2 lists products and services requiring an acceptable primary form of identification and shows which products and services also require an acceptable secondary form of identification.
Exhibit 10.2 Products and Services Requiring Acceptable Identification
10.3 Acceptable Primary Forms of Photo Identification
To be accepted as a primary form of identification, the identification must include a clear photograph of the individual bearer. Postal customers may provide the following as acceptable primary forms of photo identification:
a. U.S. Government I.D.: U.S. Government I.D. may be federal-, state-, or tribal-issued. Customers may provide the following:
1. State-issued driver’s license.
2. Non-driver’s identification card.
3. U.S. Armed Forces card.
4. Uniformed Service ID card.
5. U.S. permanent resident or other identification card issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
6. U.S. certificate of citizenship or naturalization.
7. Identification card issued by a federally or state-recognized tribal nation (tribal identification card).
b. Passport: This includes a U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, or foreign passport.
c. Matricula Consular (Mexico): A Matricula Consular card is an identification card issued by the Government of Mexico through its consulate offices to Mexican nationals residing outside Mexico.
d. NEXUS (Canada): NEXUS is a joint Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection operated trusted traveler and expedited border control program. Customers may provide a NEXUS card as a form of identification for money orders. To be accepted, the NEXUS card must contain an identification number.
e. Corporate Identification: For many services specified in Exhibit 10.3 customers may provide a corporate identification card of a corporation located and organized in good standing in the United States.
f. U.S. University Identification: For some retail products and services specified in Exhibit 10.3 customers may provide a public or private U.S. university identification card as an acceptable form of photo identification.
Exhibit 10.3, Acceptable Primary Forms of Photo Identification per Product and Service
Exhibit 10.3 lists products and services that require a valid primary form of identification and which primary forms of identification the Postal Service will accept per product or service.
10.4 Acceptable Secondary Forms of Identification
As provided under 10.2, to verify the validity of the address the customer provided when applying or requesting certain products and services, the Postal Service requires an acceptable secondary form of identification that is traceable to the bearer. Customers may provide as an acceptable secondary form of identification an additional acceptable primary form of identification.
Customers may also provide an acceptable non-photo form of current identification, such as the following:
a. A lease, mortgage, or deed of trust.
b. Voter or vehicle registration card.
c. Home or vehicle insurance policy.
d. Utility bill.
e. Form I-94, Arrival and Departure Record.
10.5 Unacceptable Forms of Identification
As specified under 608.10.0, acceptable forms of identification provide sufficient proof of identity and validation of an address. Therefore, the Postal Service does not accept Social Security cards, birth certificates, credit cards, and other similar items as primary or secondary forms of identification.
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The Postal Service will incorporate these revisions into the next edition of the online DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification, Marketing, 5-9-19
