Effective November 23, 2008, to qualify for automation rate or presort rate First-Class Mail^® and Standard Mail^® - “Each address and associate occupant name used on the mailpieces in a mailing must be updated within 95 days before the mailing date, with one of the USPS-approved methods...” - The update standard applies to each address, not to a specific list or mailing. Mailers must certify compliance with the update standard when the corresponding mail is presented to the USPS^®.

USPS Approved Methods

• NCOA^Link®
• ACS™ / OneCode ACS^®
• FASTforward^®  MLOCR
• Appropriate Ancillary Service Endorsement (Address Service Requested, Change Service Requested, Return Service Requested, Temp-Return Service Requested)
• Alternative methods may be used only if authorized by the National Customer Support Center.

Source: United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual

Why The Requirement

The Move Update requirement is an effort on the part of the United State Post Office to reduce undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail that requires forwarding or return. UAA mail costs the USPS about $2 billion annually. The new more stringent requirement effective November 23, 2008 is an effort to reduce UAA mail in half by 2010.

For the vast majority of mailers the first option, NCOA^Link, is the easiest and most cost effective way to comply with the move update requirement.
Lorton Data has you covered now and in the future with our easy to use secure A-Qua^™ platform. A-Qua provides you access to our data processing services in the way that matches your unique needs.

If you would like even more detailed information on move update

There is also USPS Publication 363 "Updating Address Lists is a Smart Move." This pub is currently undergoing revision but explains throughly the methods of complying with the move update requirement.

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