Customer Support Ruling

Computer Prepared Mortgage Payment Cards
Updated July 2005

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 or Express Mail rates, rather than as Standard 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 or Express Mail 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 or Express Mail postage.

*See also DMM 333.2 and 433.2.

(Signed)
Sherry Suggs
Manager
Mailing Standards
United States Postal Service
Washington DC 20260-3436