New USPS rule could affect mail delivery dates in California. What to know
From election ballots to tax returns, a new U.S. Postal Service rule could change how quickly important mail reaches its destination in California.
According to the Federal Register — the federal government’s official journal — the Postal Service is adding a new section to its mail rulebook to better explain how postmarks work.
“This new section defines postmarks, identifies the types of Postal Service markings that qualify as postmarks, and describes the circumstances under which those markings are applied,” the Federal Register said in a Nov. 24 news release.
It also tells customers how to get proof of the date the Postal Service received their mail.
Here’s what to know about how the rule will affect mail delivery in California:
When did the new USPS rule go into effect in California?
According to the Federal Register, the rule went into effect on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
Will post office rule change how mail is processed?
The Postal Service said the new rule does not change how mail is processed or postmarked.
“The Postal Service has not changed and is not changing our postmarking practices, which have been consistent since we began moving away from hand-canceling every item at Post Offices decades ago,” the agency said in a Friday, Jan. 2, news release.
Instead, the change is meant to help the public better understand what postmarks mean and how they relate to when mail is officially sent.
In the past, a postmark generally reflected the date the Postal Service received a letter, postcard or package..
Now, it more clearly refers to the date the item is processed.
The Postal Service also said that recent transportation changes might mean some mail doesn’t reach processing facilities the same day it is mailed.
“This means that the date on the postmarks applied at our processing facilities will not necessarily match the date on which the customer’s mailpiece was collected by a letter carrier or dropped off at a retail location,” the agency said.
How can I make sure my letter or package gets a postmark?
The USPS said that not all mail is postmarked during normal processing.
The absence of a postmark does not necessarily mean your mail wasn’t accepted. In some cases, a postmark might be missing or hard to read.
If you want a postmark that clearly shows the date you mailed your item, your best option is to visit a U.S. Postal Service retail location and ask for a manual postmark at the counter, the agency said in its release.
This service is free and makes sure the postmark matches the day you hand over your mail.
If you need proof of when the Postal Service first received your mail, you can also buy a certificate of mailing.
Other options, such as certified mail or registered mail, provide receipts showing the mailing date.
Will mail-in ballots be delayed in California?
If you’re mailing time-sensitive documents — including ballots — it’s best to mail them well before the deadline, the U.S. Postal Service said.
The recent USPS policy change will cause delays for voters living more than 50 miles from a regional mail hub, according to a news release from California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office.
This includes rural areas in Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and San Luis Obispo counties.
Under the policy, mail-in ballots sent from areas more than 50 miles away from one of California’s six regional mail processing centers might not be postmarked the same day they’re mailed.
In Northern California, there are two centers — one in West Sacramento and another in Richmond.
The other four centers are in Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, Bell Gardens and San Diego.
Bonta said a postmark will ensure your ballot is counted on time.
According to state elections officials, you can stay updated by signing up online for Where’s My Ballot? — which lets voters know when their mail-in ballots have been sent out, received by the county and accepted online.
Will tax returns be delivered on time in California?
The same applies to tax documents, the U.S. Postal Service said.
If you’re mailing tax returns or other time-sensitive paperwork, the Postal Service said, send them in early.
Take tax forms that must be postmarked by a specific date to a post office and ask for a free manual postmark.
California taxpayers also have other options.
The Internal Revenue Service allows certain private delivery services, such as FedEx and UPS, to meet the “timely mailing as timely filing/paying” rule for tax returns and payments.
This story was originally published January 6, 2026 at 12:28 PM with the headline "New USPS rule could affect mail delivery dates in California. What to know."
