POM Issue 9, July 2002
Updated With Revisions Through July 7, 2016
611.2 Postal Operations Manual
g. Remailing of Matter Returned to Sender. The mailer must not remail
undelivered or refused mail returned to him or her
unless
it is enclosed in a
new envelope or wrapper with a correct address and new
po
s
t
age.
Returned shortpaid mail does not have to be placed in a new envelope.
The necessary
additional postage may be affixed to the original mail piece.
h. Mail Bearing Exceptional Address Format. Mail with an exceptional
form of address is always delivered as addressed and may not be
forwarded. Only if the address is incorrect or incomplete, or if the mail
cannot be delivered for another reason, is it treated as undeliverable
(see
68). First-Class Mail
®
that is undeliverable as addressed is
returned to the sender.
611.2 Delivery to Persons With Similar Names
Unless persons with similar names adopt some means to distinguish their
mail, a postmaster must use judgment in making delivery.
611.3 Mail Delivered to Wrong Person
A person receiving mail not intended for him or her must promptly return it
to
the Post Office, endorsed “Opened by Mistake” with his or her signature
if
the letter is opened; otherwise, it should be endorsed “Not for..., Not at
th
is
address,” or words to the same
effe
ct.
611.4 Checks Issued by Federal Government
611.41 Recipient
Federal
government checks are delivered to the addressees, to persons who
customarily receive their mail, or to other persons authorized in writing
to
receive their mail. Delivery must not be made to an attorney, claim agent, o
r
broker even though the addressee requests such delivery unless the check is
addressed in care of the attorney, claim agent, or
brok
er
.
611.42 Delivery Alert
If convenient, the addressee can be alerted by ringing the bell or knocking on
the door. The carrier is not required to await a response.
611.43 Immediate Return of Check
Delivery is withheld and the check returned to the sender immediately if it is
known that the addressee:
a.
Is deceased or both parties of a jointly addressed check are deceased.
b. Has moved without filing a change of address, even though the new
address may be kno
w
n.
c.
Has enlisted in the military service.
d. Is under gu
ar
dian
sh
ip.
611.44 Treasury Checks Without Delivery Dates
Treasury checks enclosed in envelopes that do not show a date of delivery
are delivered on the first scheduled delivery after
re
ce
ipt.