A mailing list is created including destination addresses for mailpieces
to be submitted to a carrier service for delivery. A unique mailpiece
identifier associated with mailpieces on the mailing list is generated by
the carrier or other trusted third party. The unique mailpiece identifier
is printed on the mailpiece with which it is associated. The mailpieces
with the printed unique identifier are submitted to the carrier service.
The carrier service obtains the printed unique identifier from the
mailpiece. The obtained unique identifier from each said mailpiece is
utilized to verify that data associated with the mailpiece has been
processed by the carrier or trusted third party. When the unique number
has been obtained from the mailpieces, the carrier service, if desired,
may note this fact in the carrier records to prevent reuse of the unique
identifier. The carrier service as part of issuing the unique
identification may: charge the mailer's account of other fund depository
for the carrier service charges associated with the mailpiece; and/or,
assign a destination delivery code; and/or, provide address hygiene for
the mailpiece; and/or change of address processing. When the unique
identifier is obtained from the mailpiece, a delivery point destination
code may be printed on the mailpiece, based on the corrected address. As
an alternative, the destination delivery code may be provided to the
mailer with the unique mailpiece identifier to be printed on the
mailpiece by the mailer. Various cryptographic techniques may be employed
to authenticate the mailer and the carrier service and to protect the
transmitted information between the parties. The payment for the carrier
services can be implemented prior in time to the entry of the mailpieces
to the carrier service mailstream. Unauthorized mailpieces may be out
sorted early in the carrier service processing procedure.