A postmark has long been a reliable way to prove that a document was mailed on time. For many legal and business deadlines, the long-standing “mailbox rule” meant that if something was placed in the mail by the deadline, the postmark offered protection.
That assumption is changing.
As of late December 2025, the U.S. Postal Service updated its postmarking procedures. Mail may now be postmarked when it is processed at a regional facility, rather than when it is dropped off at a local mailbox. In practice, this means a document mailed on time could still receive a later postmark depending on when it is processed.
For clients, this matters because many deadlines still rely on a “postmarked by” standard. Even short processing delays can create avoidable issues. We most often see this arise in matters involving:
- Construction liens and notices, where statutory deadlines are strictly enforced
- Tax filings and charitable contributions, which often rely on postmark dates to determine timeliness
- Business and contractual notices, where agreements may define notice as effective based on mailing
While the underlying filing or notice may be correct, a delayed postmark can raise questions that are better avoided.
As mailing practices continue to evolve, it may be worth reconsidering how time-sensitive documents are sent. For example, bringing mail inside the post office to request a manual postmark, using certified or registered mail, submitting via FedEx/UPS (where possible), or relying on electronic filing when available can help provide clearer proof of timing.
At Burkhalter Law, we work with clients to stay ahead of procedural changes like these and reduce the risk that administrative issues interfere with legal rights or business operations.\
📞 Questions about how this may affect your filings or notices? Contact Us:
https://burkhalterlawllc.com/contact-us/
