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 In order to meet the move update requirement we will be soon offering NCOA processing with our mailing services.
Beginning November 23, 2008, ALL Standard Class mail and all First Class presorted mail must meet “move update” requirements.
This requirement already applies to first class presorted mail, although it is often not currently enforced. With the requirement being changed to include Standard Class, or bulk mail.
“Move update” refers to methods for making sure that the person or business you are mailing to is still at the address you have for them. When a person or business moves to a new address, they typically file a change-of-address notice with USPS. Those notices are compiled into a National Change of Address (NCOA) database. By checking your list against the NCOA database, you can tell if a person or business has moved, and correct their address (or delete the address, if you choose) before you address your mail.
This requirement it is only about determining whether the person or company you are mailing to is still receiving mail at the address you have for them. And it does not matter whether you "are sure" that all the addresses are up to date. You still have to comply with the requirements as described below. Beginning Nov. 23, 2008 First Class presort and Standard Mail in ALL mail categories (letters, flats, automated, nonbarcoded, nonprofit, etc.) must meet move update requirements. There are several ways to do this:
METHOD 1
The easiest and least expensive way is to simply add “OR CURRENT RESIDENT” or “OR CURRENT OCCUPANT” to your addresses. You can do this on the same line as the name, or as a separate line directly under the name. When you do this, USPS will deliver the piece of mail to the address shown, regardless of whether the person or business you’ve addressed it to is still at that address. Since USPS will not pay attention to the name, you are exempt from the move update requirement.
Similarly, mail that is addressed to “OCCUPANT” or something similar and which has no specific name in the address is also exempt from the move update requirement.
If you are using First Class presort, you should be aware that by putting “OR CURRENT RESIDENT” or “OR CURRENT OCCUPANT” on your mail, it will no longer be forwarded or returned to you if the person or business has moved. This is not an issue for Standard Class mailers, since Standard Class is never supposed to be forwarded or returned unless you pay extra for that service. METHOD 2
If you don’t want to use method 1, then the next least expensive method is to track your own move information by requesting USPS address corrections every time you mail (or at least in one mailing every 95 days), and then updating your mailing list every time you receive an address correction. You will be in compliance for your mailing if you have mailed to the same people before within the previous 95 days, you used one of the USPS address correction options, such as Address Service Requested”, when you mailed, and you updated your list with all the new addresses you received from USPS. People or companies that you have added to your list within 95 days before a mailing are exempt from this requirement, if you received the address from someone who contacted you to request services or information or to make a purchase. A name that you got from a purchased mailing list or otherwise without an actual contact is NOT exempt from the move update requirement. Several USPS address correction options can be used to meet the move update requirement. They include “Return Service Requested”, “Change Service Requested”, and “Address Service Requested”. There are different costs and requirements for each option. Some options provide information in printed form while others are electronic. There’s a good summary of these options at http://www.usps.com/mailpro/2008/julyaug/page8.htm. Remember that for you to use one of these USPS options to meet the move update requirement, you must mail to each address at least once every 95 days, and you absolutely must update your mailing list with any move information that the USPS provides. If you plan to use this method, you may need to start using a USPS address correction option on your mail now, so that you will have address correction information from a mailing within 95 days prior to any mailing you send on or after Nov. 23. |
