What to Do If Your Mail Gets Rejected by Pigeonly or Mid‑State

For NJDOC facilities (including Mid‑State), Pigeonly only processes non‑privileged mail types. That includes letters (including drawings), greeting cards, postcards, 4x6 photos (limited to 10 per parcel), and unbound newsletters. If what you mailed doesn’t fit one of those categories, it can get rejected or routed back before it ever reaches the facility.

Missing a return name and address? That's one of the easiest ways to get mail rejected. Every item sent through Pigeonly needs your return info on it - otherwise, there's no way to send it back if something goes wrong.

Size trips people up more than you'd expect. Envelopes sent through Pigeonly can't be larger than 4 in. x 9½ in., and letters must fit on paper no bigger than 8½ in. x 11 in. An oversized envelope or a larger sheet of paper is a common reason for returns.

Books, magazines, and other publications work differently. Pigeonly won't accept them - they have to come directly from the vendor, distributor, or publisher to the NJDOC facility. If you tried mailing a publication through Pigeonly, that explains the rejection.

Timing can make rejections confusing because there's a processing step before the facility sees anything. Within 24 hours of receipt, Pigeonly opens and scans incoming non‑privileged mail, shares the electronic scan with the facility for screening, then prints and ships it. Once shipped, printed mail goes to NJDOC via Priority Mail - typically arriving within 1–3 days.

Step By Step Fixes

• ✓ Confirm you’re sending an allowed non‑privileged item (letter, greeting card, postcard, 4x6 photos - 10 per parcel max - or an unbound newsletter).
• ✓ If it’s a publication, periodical, or book, don’t resend it through Pigeonly - send it directly from the vendor/distributor/publisher to the NJDOC facility instead.

1. Write a full return name and address on the item - Pigeonly requires a return name and address on all mail it processes.
2. Double-check it’s complete and readable - if it can’t be read, it can’t do its job when mail needs to be returned.

1. Measure your envelope before you seal it - keep it at or under 4 in. x 9½ in.
2. Use standard letter-size paper - letters must be on paper no larger than 8½ in. x 11 in.
3. Repackage if you’re over the limit - rewriting or reprinting onto compliant paper/envelopes is usually the fastest fix.

Once you resend with the issue fixed, here's what to expect. Pigeonly scans non‑privileged mail within 24 hours of receiving it, shares the scan with the facility for screening, then prints and ships. After that, the printed copy travels to NJDOC via Priority Mail and usually arrives within 1–3 days.

1. Check whether it was legal/privileged mail - Pigeonly returns any privileged or legal mail to the sender.
2. Check whether it was a publication - publications, periodicals, and books aren’t accepted by Pigeonly and need to be sent directly from the vendor/distributor/publisher to the NJDOC facility.

1. Fix the return-address issue - all mail processed through Pigeonly must include a return name and address on the item.
2. Fix any size issue - keep envelopes at or under 4 in. x 9½ in., and use paper no larger than 8½ in. x 11 in.
3. Resend using an allowed item type - stick to non‑privileged letters/cards/postcards, 4x6 photos (10 per parcel max), or unbound newsletters.

Want your original piece back? Act fast. Pigeonly holds originals for up to 45 days, and you need to email Support@pigeon.ly within that window to request a return. The item goes back to whoever's listed as the sender on the envelope - so make sure that info is accurate.

Contact Pigeonly Support when you need answers about a specific item - what happened to it, how long processing is taking, or whether your original can still be returned. Remember: originals are held for up to 45 days, and you must email Support@pigeon.ly within that window. Pigeonly scans mail within 24 hours of receipt before printing and shipping.

Questions about NJDOC policy - like how to send publications (since Pigeonly won't accept them) or how privileged/legal mail works - should go directly to NJDOC. Those rules determine whether something needs to go through Pigeonly at all or should be sent another way.