How to Send a Letter or Postcard: Domestic

How to Send a Letter or Postcard: Domestic Sending a letter with USPS is easy! The service provides guidance for most letters and postcards sent domestically (inside the U.S.), including U.S. territories and military bases in the U.S. and abroad. Step 1: Choose Envelope or Postcard Envelopes are for sending flat, flexible items, like letters, cards, checks, forms, and other paper goods. For one $0.82 First-Class Mail Forever stamp, you can send 1 oz (about 4 sheets of regular, 8-1/2" x 11" paper in a rectangular envelope) anywhere in the U.S. Envelopes must be rectangular and made of paper to qualify for letter prices. Maximum dimensions are 11-1/2" long x 6-1/8" high. Standard No. 10 envelopes are 9-1/2" long x 4-1/8" high. Contents must stay flat—no more than 1/4" thick. Large envelopes (called flats) can be used for letter-sized papers without folding; postage starts at $1.69. Nonrectangular, rigid, or lumpy large envelopes require package pricing. Nonmachinable envelopes (rigid, lumpy, with clasps, string, or buttons) cost an additional $0.49. Square or vertical envelopes also incur extra charges. Postcards are for short messages without envelopes. Standard postcard stamps cost $0.65 and can be sent anywhere in the U.S. Standard postcards are made of paper, between 5" to 6" long and 3-1/2" to 4-1/4" high, and 0.007" to 0.016" thick. Step 2: Address Your Mail For envelopes: Write the return/sender address in the top left corner and the delivery/recipient address in the bottom center. For postcards: Write the delivery address in the designated space. Address Format Tips: - Print addresses neatly in capital letters - Use pen or permanent marker - Do not use commas or periods - Include ZIP+4 Code whenever possible Return Address should include on separate lines: - Full name or company name - Apartment or suite number - Full street address - City, State, and ZIP+4 Code Delivery Address should include on separate lines: - Recipient's full name or company name - Apartment or suite number - Full street address - City, State, and ZIP+4 Code Special considerations apply for Puerto Rico addresses (which may include urbanization codes abbreviated URB), U.S. Virgin Islands (using VI abbreviation), and military/diplomatic mail (APO/FPO/DPO addresses should not include city or country name when sent to another country). Step 3: Calculate Postage A First-Class Mail Forever stamp costs $0.82 and goes in the upper right corner of the envelope. Standard postcard stamps cost $0.65. Postage depends on weight and size/shape. As a rule, 1 oz (4 sheets of printer paper and business-sized envelope) requires one First-Class Mail Forever stamp ($0.82). Large envelopes start at $1.69 for 1 oz. Additional postage applies for items over 1 oz: for letters up to 3.5 oz, each additional 1 oz costs $0.29. For large envelopes up to 13 oz, price varies per additional 1 oz. Nonmachinable items cost $0.49 more. Square or vertical envelopes incur additional charges. Stamps can be purchased at The Postal Store (online), Post Office locations, self-service kiosks, or National Retailers such as grocery and drug stores. Denomination stamps (1¢, 2¢, 3¢, 4¢, 5¢, 10¢) are available at The Postal Store. Add-On Services include: - Certified Mail: Proof of mailing and recipient's signature - Registered Mail: USPS's most secure mail service with manual processing, separate handling, and signatures at each step - Return Receipt: Printed or emailed delivery record with recipient's signature - Adult Signature Required: Only adults age 21+ can sign after showing valid government ID Step 4: Send Your Mail Once the envelope or postcard has correct addresses and postage, it can be sent by: - Placing it in your mailbox and raising the flag - Dropping it in a cluster mailbox outgoing slot - Dropping it in a blue collection box - Taking it to a Post Office lobby drop For postmarks on specific dates, ask a retail associate at a Post Office counter for free hand-cancellation. Important note: Envelopes with postage stamps weighing more than 10 oz or thicker than 1/2" cannot go in collection boxes; they must be given to a Post Office employee. Bonus Pro Tips: The Postal Service processes 425.3 million mail pieces daily using high-speed sorting machines. Stay Flexible: Postcards, letters, and large envelopes must bend through sorting machines. Flexible items like stickers, photos, and trading cards are acceptable as long as the envelope stays flat (less than 1/4" thick and not lumpy). Rigid objects (flash drives, coins, keys, hard plastic card cases) should not be placed loose in unpadded paper envelopes; use padded envelopes or small boxes instead. Sending Embellished Invitations: For specially decorated envelopes with external decorations (wax seals, strings, ribbons), place them inside another envelope to preserve appearance. Alternatively, bring them to the Post Office counter and request hand-cancellation for nonmachinable First-Class Mail items. Tracking: Tracking is not available for First-Class Mail. For tracking information, upgrade to Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail service, or add Certified Mail or Registered Mail service (which can be combined with Return Receipt for recipient's signature).