I'd like to discuss the situation with forwarding of INS mail after a change-of-address request is filed with USPS.
One opinion I've seen on immigration boards (perhaps even here) is that:
INS letters are sent via first class mail (true, as far as I can see) and therefore they will be forwarded to a new address for up to 12 months if a change-of-address request is filed with a Postal Service.
I am rather doubtful about the last part. All the pieces of mail I ever got from INS have an endorsement "Return Service Requested".
I've read the explanation of what this means at the USPS web site: www.usps.com/ncsc/address...te/ace.htm
It says:
"Undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail is forwarded, returned to sender, or treated as dead mail depending upon authorization for the particular mail class. An ancillary service endorsement is used to instruct the Postal Service regarding the mailpiece's appropriate disposition upon determining that it is UAA. On First-Class Mail, the following endorsements may be used as an updating method to meet the move update standard:
Return Service Requested. If UAA, the mailpiece is returned with the new address or reason for nondelivery; no charge.
Address Service Requested.
Months 1 - 12: the mailpiece is forwarded; no charge; a separate notice of the new address is provided; an address correction fee is charged.
Months 13 - 18: the mailpiece is returned with the new address attached; no charge.
After month 18 or if undeliverable: the mailpiece is returned with reason for nondelivery attached; no charge"
This seems to indicate that a letter with "Return Service Requested" endorsement will be returned to sender even if a change-of-address request is on file.
Does anyone have any opinions and/or experiences regarding this?
One opinion I've seen on immigration boards (perhaps even here) is that:
INS letters are sent via first class mail (true, as far as I can see) and therefore they will be forwarded to a new address for up to 12 months if a change-of-address request is filed with a Postal Service.
I am rather doubtful about the last part. All the pieces of mail I ever got from INS have an endorsement "Return Service Requested".
I've read the explanation of what this means at the USPS web site: www.usps.com/ncsc/address...te/ace.htm
It says:
"Undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail is forwarded, returned to sender, or treated as dead mail depending upon authorization for the particular mail class. An ancillary service endorsement is used to instruct the Postal Service regarding the mailpiece's appropriate disposition upon determining that it is UAA. On First-Class Mail, the following endorsements may be used as an updating method to meet the move update standard:
Return Service Requested. If UAA, the mailpiece is returned with the new address or reason for nondelivery; no charge.
Address Service Requested.
Months 1 - 12: the mailpiece is forwarded; no charge; a separate notice of the new address is provided; an address correction fee is charged.
Months 13 - 18: the mailpiece is returned with the new address attached; no charge.
After month 18 or if undeliverable: the mailpiece is returned with reason for nondelivery attached; no charge"
This seems to indicate that a letter with "Return Service Requested" endorsement will be returned to sender even if a change-of-address request is on file.
Does anyone have any opinions and/or experiences regarding this?