# Return Address
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-address/137797
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 20, 2002, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-address/137797 "2002-11-20T20:31:28Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@BZ00000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BZ00000)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2002, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-address/137797/1 "2002-11-20T20:31:28Z")
If postage is not on a letter, is it always returned to the return address? What is the return address is in a different state from where it was mailed?
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### Author:  [@davesink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davesink)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2002, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-address/137797/2 "2002-11-20T20:56:11Z")
[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=101858&highlight=return+address](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=101858&highlight=return+address)
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### Author:  [@BZ00000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BZ00000)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2002, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-address/137797/3 "2002-11-20T21:41:40Z")
This can be closed since it is illegal.
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### Author:  [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2002, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-address/137797/4 "2002-11-20T22:37:04Z")
It isn’t illegal to forget to put a stamp on an envelope and have the Post Office return it to you. To answer the OP’s question: It doesn’t make any difference whether you’re living in a different state from your addressee–the Post Office will still return it to you for postage.
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### Author:  [@BZ00000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BZ00000)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2002, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-address/137797/5 "2002-11-20T22:52:05Z")
No, I was looking for a way to send mail for free.
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### Author:  [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2002, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-address/137797/6 "2002-11-20T23:38:09Z")
Get elected to public office and indulge yourself in the franking privilege.
[http://www.house.gov/cha/franking/what\_is\_the\_frank\_/body\_what\_is\_the\_frank\_.html](http://www.house.gov/cha/franking/what_is_the_frank_/body_what_is_the_frank_.html)
That’s about it.