§3003 — Title 39 Postal Service | U.S. Code

Summary

The Postal Service can stop mail from being delivered and ask for proof of identity when it has convincing evidence that someone is using a fake name, title, or address in mail to carry out or help with crimes listed in 18 U.S.C. 1302, 1341, or 1342. If the person claiming the mail cannot prove who they are or the Service decides the name or address is fake, the Postal Service can send the item to the dead letter office as fictitious matter or return it to the sender.

Title 39, §3003

Postal Service — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Upon evidence satisfactory to the Postal Service that any person is using a fictitious, false, or assumed name, title, or address in conducting, promoting, or carrying on or assisting therein, by means of the postal services of the United States, an activity in violation of section 1302, 1341, and 1342 of title 18, it may—

(1)withhold mail so addressed from delivery; and

(2)require the party claiming the mail to furnish proof to it of the claimant’s identity and right to receive the mail.

(b)The Postal Service may issue an order directing that mail, covered by subsection (a) of this section, be forwarded to a dead letter office as fictitious matter, or be returned to the sender when—

(1)the party claiming the mail fails to furnish proof of his identity and right to receive the mail; or

(2)the Postal Service determines that the mail is addressed to a fictitious, false, or assumed name, title, or address.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

§3003 Mail bearing a fictitious name or address

Summary

Title 39, §3003

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Citations & Metadata