First Class Mail, Forever Stamp Postage Increase to $0.82 on July 12, 2026!

Today marks the start of a new price for the U.S. Postal Service’s First-Class Mail Forever stamp. Effective July 12, 2026, the stamp’s value increases from 78 cents to 82 cents.

What changes for people who mail letters
For most everyday 1-ounce domestic letters, you’ll need the stamp value to match the new First-Class rate. If you’re mailing letters using a Forever stamp, you’re generally covered—because a Forever stamp is designed to represent the current price for a 1-ounce First-Class letter, even after rate increases.
 

What doesn’t change
Forever stamps you already bought will still work after the price increase; the stamp’s “forever” value simply adjusts with the rate.
 

Quick pricing context
Along with the Forever stamp update, USPS also increased other related postcard/letter prices—for example, domestic postcards move from 61 cents to 65 cents, and international letters/postcards move from $1.70 to $1.75.
 

Bottom line
If you mail letters today, expect an updated cost basis for 1-ounce First-Class mail—but your existing Forever stamps remain valid for postage on that service level.