The USPS clarified postmark rules by sharing more defined postmark timing. For tight deadlines, you may want to request hand-stamped postmarks or mail early. | 13News Now - WVEC

USPS changes postmark rules: What it means for your bills, ballots and taxes

As of January 2026, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has officially updated its postmark rules, potentially affecting the timeliness of sensitive mail. Effective December 24, 2025, a postmark now indicates the date a piece of mail is first processed at a regional facility by an automated sorting machine, rather than the date it was dropped off at a mailbox or local post office. Key Changes Regional Processing: Most mail dropped in blue collection boxes or neighborhood mailboxes is transpo