USPS Updates System of Records for Handling Tort Claims Electronically
Published Date: 10/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The USPS is updating its privacy records to be clearer about how it collects and uses info for a new online Tort Claims portal. This change helps the Postal Service work smarter and follow the law better. The update kicks in on November 17, 2025, unless people send in comments that change the plan.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Centralized Electronic Tort Claims Portal
The USPS will replace its paper Tort Claims filing process with a centralized electronic Tort Claims presentment portal. The portal will let claimants, attorneys, insurance companies, businesses, and claimant representatives create a login, submit the Standard Form 95 and upload supporting documents, and receive confirmation of successful submission. This change becomes effective November 17, 2025 unless comments cause a change.
Collection and Disclosure of Personal Records
The USPS will collect and store a wide range of personally identifiable and supporting records for tort claims, including Social Security numbers, medical records and bills, wage-loss information, tax returns, financial records, photographs, police reports, and insurance policy information. The notice says tort claims records may be disclosed to parties such as the American Insurance Association Index System, insurance companies, equipment manufacturers and their insurers, and in response to subpoenas; records may also be transferred to the Patent and Trademark Office or Library of Congress when relevant.
Specified Record Retention Periods
The notice specifies how long different legal and claims records will be kept: labor litigation records are retained 5 years; tort claim files are retained 7 years after final adjudication or closure; tort litigation files are retained 5 years after closure; intellectual property investigation records are retained 25 years after closure; and miscellaneous civil/administrative proceedings records are retained 10 years. Paper records will be destroyed by burning, pulping, or shredding; electronic records will follow USPS media sanitization practices.
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Key Dates
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