Computer Prepared Mortgage Payment Cards

UPDATED January 2017

PS-031 (233.2.2)

This Customer Support Ruling shows whether a computer-prepared mortgage payment card is considered a bill or statement of account that is mailable only at First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, or Priority Mail Express prices, rather than as USPS Marketing Mail.

The mortgage payment card contains fields that are completed by computer to show the amount due, the date the amount is due, and to whom the amount is payable.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 233.2.2, provides a bill or statement of account must be mailed as First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, or Priority Mail Express according to these definitions:

a.    Bills and statements of account assert a debt in a definite amount owed by the addressee to the sender or a third party. In addition, bills include a demand for payment; statements of account do not include a demand for payment. The debt does not have to be due immediately but may become due at a later time or on demand. The debt asserted need not be legally collectible or owed.

b.    Bills and statements of account do not need to state the precise amount due if they contain information that would enable the debtor to determine that amount.

The computerized mortgage payment card asserts a debt in a definite amount owed and includes a demand for payment. Therefore the computerized mortgage payment card is considered a bill or statement of account and is subject to First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, or Priority Mail Express postage.

(signed)

Sherry Suggs

Manager

Mailing Standards

Headquarters, US Postal Service

Washington, DC  20260-3436