Send a letter to someone in prison
You can write a letter to a person in a US correctional facility online. Type your letter, enter the inmate's mailing address with their identification number, and we print, seal, and mail it via USPS.
How it works
Four steps. Most letters take under two minutes from sign-in to mailed.
- 1
Type your letter online
Compose your letter in our editor. Plain text and basic formatting come through clearly.
- 2
Enter the inmate's mailing address
Use the format the facility requires, including the inmate identification number on its own line.
- 3
Pay the flat fee
One price covers paper, envelope, postage, and USPS delivery.
- 4
We mail within 24 hours
Your letter is printed on plain white paper and sealed in a plain white envelope before mailing.
Who this is for
- Family members staying in touch
- Friends sending news from outside
- People who want to write but do not own a printer
- Anyone abroad who wants to send a letter to someone incarcerated in the US
Common use cases
Stay in touch with family
Send weekly letters with news, photos, or messages from family members.
Faith and support letters
Send messages of support from a community, church, or volunteer group.
Photos and printed images
Attach printed images that comply with the facility's photo policy.
What you can rely on
PostPal is operated as a utility, not a marketing channel. We do one thing: print and mail your documents through USPS.
- Domestic
- $5
- 2-5 business days
- International
- $10
- 7-14 business days
- Plain white paper and envelope — no logos or branding on the outside
- Mailed via USPS within 24 hours
- Letter contents are reviewed only for legality, not stored
- Stripe-secured payment
Frequently asked questions
Will the facility accept a letter from PostPal?
Many US facilities (federal, state, and county) accept standard USPS mail. However, an increasing number of facilities require incoming mail to be sent through approved digital mail vendors only. Check the receiving facility's mail policy before sending.
How should I address the envelope?
Use the format the facility publishes. Typically: inmate full name, inmate ID or register number, facility name, facility street address, city, state, ZIP. Place the inmate ID on its own line.
Are photos allowed?
Some facilities allow printed photos as letter attachments; others restrict them. Check the facility's mail policy before attaching images. PostPal can attach images, but cannot guarantee the facility will deliver them.
Can I include a return address?
Yes. The return address you enter is printed on the envelope. Most facilities require a verified sender address.
How long will it take?
USPS delivery is typically 2-5 business days. The facility then processes incoming mail, which can add anywhere from a day to two weeks depending on facility policy and volume.
What about facilities that require approved digital mail providers?
If the facility requires a specific approved provider (such as a state-contracted mail vendor), letters mailed through PostPal may not be delivered. Always check the facility's mail rules before sending.
Related solutions
Other ways to send mail through PostPal.
Ready to send?
Type a letter or upload a PDF. We mail it via USPS within 24 hours.