Do Stamps Expire?
Section 1.2 of the USPS Domestic Mail Manual says all postage stamps issued by the United States since 1860 are valid for postage, except the kinds section 1.3 lists as not valid; what an old stamp is worth depends on whether it shows a dollar amount, says Forever or is another nondenominated stamp.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Sources checked against USPS and Federal Register text on November 2, 2026 · Methodology & sources
What the Domestic Mail Manual says
“All postage stamps issued by the United States since 1860, unless listed in 1.3, are valid for postage from any point in the United States or from any other place where U.S. Mail service operates.”
Section 1.3 lists the stamps that are not valid:
“The following are not valid to pay postage for U.S. domestic or U.S.-originated international mail:
Postage due, special delivery, and Certified Mail stamps.
Stamps of other countries.
United Nations stamps, unless on mail deposited at the United Nations, NY.
U.S. stamps that are mutilated or defaced; cut from stamped envelopes, aerogrammes, or stamped cards; covered or coated in such a manner that canceling or defacing marks cannot be printed onto the stamps; or overprinted with an unauthorized design, message, or other marking.
Nonpostage stamps, such as migratory-bird hunting and conservation stamps, U.S. saving and thrift stamps.”
Section 1.2 also says who can use precanceled stamps:
“Precanceled postage may be used only by permit holders authorized under 3.0. Unless excepted by standard, the total postage affixed must equal at least the postage charge for the class of the mail and, if applicable, the fee for the extra service requested.”
The Domestic Mail Manual sections 1.2 and 1.3 and the International Mail Manual section 152.31, all quoted on this page, give no expiration date for a valid stamp. What differs between stamps is how much postage each one pays.
What an old stamp is worth
Stamps that show a dollar amount
“A denominated postage stamp’s value is based on the dollar amount that is printed on the stamp.”
Forever stamps
“The postage value of each forever stamp is the current First-Class Mail single-piece 1-ounce letter price.”
“A domestic Forever stamp’s value is linked to the domestic First-Class Mail single-piece 1-ounce machinable letter price that is in effect on the day of use (mailing) regardless of when the stamp is purchased and regardless of how prices may change in the future.”
The Forever stamp is worth 82¢ in Notice 123 effective October 4, 2026. See the Forever stamps page and how much is a stamp.
Other nondenominated stamps
A stamp that shows a letter, a rate name or no amount is nondenominated, and DMM 604 section 1.1 lists Forever stamps as nondenominated too. The manuals say:
“All nondenominated postage and makeup price stamps, including official mail stamps, are valid at the original prices of issue. Exception: Semipostal stamps.”
“A nondenominated postage stamp’s value is linked to its domestic postage issue price (e.g., the Antique Toys stamp, issued on June 7, 2002, has a postage value of 37 cents).”
So a nondenominated stamp that is neither a Forever stamp nor a semipostal stamp is valued at its original issue price, not at the 82¢ letter price. Forever stamps are worth the current 1-ounce letter price, and semipostal stamps are covered by the quoted DMM and IMM text below.
Semipostal stamps
The sources word their value differently, so they are quoted here and not summarized:
“Postage value equivalent to FCM single-piece 1-ounce stamped letter price. Price also includes a contribution to the specific cause and a nominal amount of not less than 15 percent to offset costs incurred by the Postal Service in managing the Semipostal program.”
“Nondenominated semi-postal stamps (e.g., Stop Family Violence or Breast Cancer Research) are sold at a price that exceeds the postage value of the stamp, with the amount exceeding postage going to the stated cause. Only their value (at the time of purchase) may be used to pay postage.”
USPS.com or a Post Office can tell you what a particular semipostal stamp is worth.
Topping up an old stamp
A stamp with a dollar amount counts at that amount. A nondenominated stamp that is neither a Forever stamp nor a semipostal stamp counts at its original issue price. The manual says how much postage a mailpiece needs:
“Unless excepted by standard, the total postage affixed must equal at least the postage charge for the class of the mail and, if applicable, the fee for the extra service requested.”
| Stamp value | More postage needed |
|---|---|
| 5¢ | 77¢ |
| 10¢ | 72¢ |
| 37¢ | 45¢ |
| 40¢ | 42¢ |
Two 40¢ stamps are worth 80¢, which leaves 2¢ to add (arithmetic). Weights over 1 ounce and other mail classes have other prices; the weight table is on how much is a stamp.
Frequently asked questions
Do stamps expire?
Section 1.2 of the Domestic Mail Manual says all postage stamps issued by the United States since 1860, unless listed in section 1.3, are valid for postage from any point in the United States or from any other place where U.S. Mail service operates.
Do Forever stamps expire?
DMM 604 section 1.10 says the postage value of each Forever stamp is the current First-Class Mail single-piece 1-ounce letter price, and International Mail Manual 152.31 says that holds regardless of when the stamp is purchased.
Which stamps are not valid for postage?
Section 1.3 lists postage due, special delivery and Certified Mail stamps, stamps of other countries, United Nations stamps (unless on mail deposited at the United Nations, NY), mutilated or defaced U.S. stamps and nonpostage stamps.
Is an old stamp with a low face value still enough for a letter?
Not by itself. Section 1.2 says the total postage affixed must equal at least the postage charge. A 1-ounce letter paid with stamps costs 82¢ in Notice 123, so a 40¢ stamp needs 42¢ more, by arithmetic.
How do I top up an old stamp?
Subtract the stamp’s face value from the postage you need, then add stamps worth at least the difference. For a 1-ounce letter at 82¢, that is 77¢ more for a 5¢ stamp and 72¢ more for a 10¢ stamp (arithmetic).
What does the Domestic Mail Manual say about stamp denominations?
Section 1.1 lists regular postage denominations of $0.01, .02, .03, .04, .05, .10, .40, $1, $2, $5, $9.65, $10 and $28.75, and lists Forever stamps as nondenominated.
What is an old nondenominated stamp worth?
DMM 604 section 1.2 says: “All nondenominated postage and makeup price stamps, including official mail stamps, are valid at the original prices of issue. Exception: Semipostal stamps.” A nondenominated stamp that is neither a Forever stamp nor a semipostal stamp is valued at its original issue price, for example 37 cents for the Antique Toys stamp issued on June 7, 2002 (International Mail Manual 152.31). Forever stamps are worth the current 1-ounce letter price (DMM 604 section 1.10), and semipostal stamps are covered by the DMM and IMM text quoted on the do stamps expire page.
More stamp price pages
More USPS postage and fee tools
Sources (checked November 2, 2026): USPS Price List Notice 123 · Notice 123 effective October 4, 2026 (Internet Archive copy) · Notice 123 effective July 12, 2026 (Internet Archive copy) · Notice 123 effective April 26, 2026 (Internet Archive copy) · Domestic Mail Manual 604, section 1.0 Stamps · DMM 604 (Internet Archive copy, October 5, 2026) · International Mail Manual 152.31 (Internet Archive copy, June 19, 2026) · USPS.com prices page · Federal Register 2026-11003: Domestic Mail Manual changes for the July 12, 2026 price adjustments (June 2, 2026) · Federal Register: International Mailing Services: Price Changes (June 16, 2026) · Federal Register: International Mail: Product Rate and Fee Changes (December 7, 2012)