How to Send a Letter or Postcard: Domestic

How to Send a Letter or Postcard: Domestic Sending a letter with USPS is easy! Instructions cover most letters and postcards sent domestically (inside the U.S.), including U.S. territories and military bases in the U.S. and abroad. Postmarks: If you want to ensure that your mail receives a postmark on the day you mail it, ask a retail associate at a Post Office retail counter to hand-cancel it for free. Send Mail: Step-by-Step Instructions Step 1: Choose Envelope or Postcard Envelopes are for sending flat, flexible things, like letters, cards, checks, forms, and other paper goods. For just 1 $0.78 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) to anywhere in the U.S. Envelopes must be rectangular and made of paper to qualify for letter prices. Maximum envelope size is 11-1/2" long x 6-1/8" high. (A standard No. 10 envelope is 9-1/2" long x 4-1/8" high.) Contents must stay flat—no more than 1/4" thick. For letter-sized papers without folding, use a large envelope (called a "flat"); postage starts at $1.63. If the large envelope is nonrectangular, rigid, or lumpy, package pricing applies. Nonmachinable envelopes (those that can't fit through USPS machines, or are rigid, lumpy, have clasps, string, or buttons) require an additional $0.49 postage. Square or vertical (taller than wide) envelopes also incur additional fees. Postcards are for short messages without an envelope. A $0.61 postcard stamp sends a standard-sized postcard anywhere in the U.S. Standard postcards are usually made of paper, between 5" to 6" long and 3-1/2" to 4-1/4" high, and between 0.007" and 0.016" thick. Step 2: Address Your Mail Envelopes: Write your address (return/sender address) in the top left corner. Write the delivery address (recipient address) in the bottom center. Postcards: Write the delivery address in the designated space. Address Format Tips: - Print addresses neatly in capital letters - Use a pen or permanent marker - Do not use commas or periods - Include the ZIP+4 Code whenever possible Write Sender Address in top-left corner on separate lines: - Your full name or company name - Apartment or suite number - Full street address - City, State, and ZIP+4 Code Write Delivery Address in bottom center on separate lines: - Recipient's full name or company name - Apartment or suite number - Full street address - City, State, and ZIP+4 Code Special U.S. Addresses: Puerto Rico: Some addresses include an urbanization or community code (URB). Format on 4 lines. U.S. Virgin Islands: Same format as standard addresses. Abbreviation is "VI." Military and Diplomatic Mail (APO/FPO/DPO): Do not include city or country name when sending to APO/FDO/DPO addresses in another country. Do include unit and box numbers if assigned. Step 3: Calculate Postage & Add Insurance or Extra Services A First-Class Mail Forever stamp costs $0.78 and goes in the upper right corner. A standard postcard stamp costs $0.61. Postage depends on weight and size/shape. As a rule of thumb, you can send 1 oz (4 sheets of printer paper and business-sized envelope) for 1 First-Class Mail Forever stamp (currently $0.78). Large envelope (flat) postage starts at $1.63 for 1 oz. Additional Postage: - For letters up to 3.5 oz, each additional 1 oz is $0.29 - For large envelopes up to 13 oz, price varies for each additional 1 oz - Nonmachinable items cost $0.49 more - Square or vertical envelopes cost more 1¢, 2¢, 3¢, 4¢, 5¢, and 10¢ stamps are available at The Postal Store. Add-On Services: Certified Mail: Get proof of mailing and recipient signature. Registered Mail: Most secure service—manually processed, handled separately and securely, signed for at each step. Return Receipt: Printed or emailed delivery record showing recipient's signature. Adult Signature Required: Only adults (age 21+) can sign after showing valid government ID. Step 4: Send Your Mail Once your envelope or postcard has correct addresses and postage, send it by: - Putting 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 Important Note: If your envelope has postage stamps and weighs more than 10 oz or is thicker than 1/2", you cannot use a collection box; you must give it to a Post Office employee. Bonus: Sending Mail Pro Tips - Stay flexible: Don't send rigid objects in paper envelopes - Embellished invitations: Get them hand-canceled or put them in another envelope - Need tracking: Learn about Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail service - Flexible items (stickers, photos, trading cards) are okay if the envelope stays flat and under 1/4" thick - For rigid/odd-shaped objects, use a padded envelope or small box - For externally decorated invitations with wax seals, strings, or ribbons, put them inside another envelope - Tracking is not available for First-Class Mail; add Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, Certified Mail, or Registered Mail service for tracking options