---
kind: "section"
citation: "39 U.S.C. § 3003"
title: "39"
title_heading: "Postal Service"
number: "3003"
heading: "Mail bearing a fictitious name or address"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/39/3003"
units:
  - "Part IV — Mail Matter"
  - "Chapter 30 — Nonmailable Matter"
---

# §3003. Mail bearing a fictitious name or address

- (a) Upon evidence satisfactory to the [Postal Service](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) 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](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) of the [United States](/usc/39/3702.md?p=7), an activity in violation of sections [1302](/usc/18/1302.md), [1341](/usc/18/1341.md), and [1342](/usc/18/1342.md) 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](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) may issue an order directing that mail, covered by [subsection (a)](#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](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) determines that the mail is addressed to a fictitious, false, or assumed name, title, or address.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 746.)

## Notes

### 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.