Postal Service Announces Adult Signature Service
Commercial or online mailers sending tobacco products by mail can choose to obtain a signature upon delivery from someone 21 or older, beginning June 5.
The U.S. Postal Service begins a new service June 5 that allows commercial or online mailers only to choose to obtain a signature upon delivery from someone 21 or older when they are sending tobacco products by mail. The Adult Signature service has two available options: Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery.
It is the first time USPS has offered a service that includes verification of the age of the recipient at the time of delivery. Commercial and online customers using Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select barcoded nonpresort, and Parcel Select Regional Ground mailpieces can use it.
Adult Signature Required requires the signature of someone 21 years of age or older at the recipient's address. Adult Signature Restricted Delivery requires the signature of a specific addressee or authorized agent who must be 21 or older.
Before signing for the mail piece, the recipient must show a government-issued photo identification that includes his or her date of birth. Otherwise, the mail piece cannot be left at the address.
The Postal Regulatory Commission approved this service on March 28, 2011. For more information, call Karen Key at 202-268-7492 or Richard Daigle at 202-268-6392.