Title 39, Postal ServiceRelease 119-102
§3218 Franked Mail for Survivors of Members of Congress
Title 39 › PART IV — MAIL MATTER › CHAPTER 32 — PENALTY AND FRANKED MAIL › § 3218
Summary
After a Member dies in office, the surviving spouse—or, if there is no spouse, a family member chosen by the Senate Secretary or the House Clerk under their rules—can send postage-free, nonpolitical mail about the Member’s death for up to 180 days.
Full Legal Text
Title 39, §3218
Postal Service, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Upon the death of a Member of Congress during his term of office, the surviving spouse of such Member (or, if there is no surviving spouse, a member of the immediate family of the Member designated by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives, as appropriate, in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Secretary or the Clerk) may send, for a period not to exceed 180 days after his death, as franked mail, nonpolitical correspondence relating to the death of the Member.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1981—Pub. L. 97–69 substituted “survivors” for “surviving spouses” in section catchline and, in text, inserted “(or, if there is no surviving spouse, a member of the immediate family of the Member designated by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives, as appropriate, in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Secretary or the Clerk)” after “such Member”. 1973—Pub. L. 93–191 inserted “nonpolitical” before “correspondence”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1973 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 93–191 effective Dec. 18, 1973, see section 14 of Pub. L. 93–191, set out as a note under section 3210 of this title.
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.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
39 U.S.C. § 3218
Title 39, Postal Service
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102