The implementation of special postal cancellations and the procedures for obtaining them are announced through notices published on our website.

1. "Commemorative" Cancellations

These are issued on the occasions of Easter, Christmas, pastoral visits and apostolic journeys of the Holy Father abroad, the release of commemorative covers by the Vatican Postal and Philatelic Service, the participation of Vatican institutions in philatelic and numismatic conventions in Italy and abroad, or other events of particular significance for the Church, the Holy See, and Vatican City.

To obtain "commemorative cancellations," applicants may send a set quantity of already stamped envelopes or other philatelic material to the Cancellations Department. This material will be postmarked with the applicable commemorative cancellations and returned as per the user’s instructions: “unsealed,” in a letter envelope, or as “registered” mail.

2. "First Day" Cancellations

These are issued on the release dates of stamp series and postal stationery. Only the stamps or postal items directly associated with the cancellation may be used.

Complete series of stamps and postal stationery must be requested exclusively from:
Philatelic and Numismatic Sales – Governorate – 00120 Vatican City.

Deadline for Obtaining Cancellations

Requests for the postal cancellations listed in points 1 and 2 may be submitted within 30 days from the official date of use. In the case of "First Day" cancellations, users who receive the postal items by mail from the Vatican Philatelic and Numismatic Sales Office may be granted an extension of this deadline, provided they can prove that the delay was due to postal issues or other unforeseen circumstances.

Return Procedures for Cancelled Material

Subject to the above deadline, if the request is received within 5 days from the cancellation's first date of use, the cancelled material may be returned in the following ways:

Unsealed, via ordinary or registered mail: postcards or letters must be prepared by the sender, fully addressed and stamped with valid postage matching current rates.
In a sealed envelope, via ordinary or registered mail: the material to be cancelled must be placed in an envelope prepared by the sender, fully addressed and stamped with valid postage matching current rates.
If the request is received more than 5 days after the cancellation’s official release date, the material may only be returned in a sealed envelope.

Postage required for pre-stamping return envelopes may be requested in advance from the Cancellations Department.

Correspondence submitted to the Vatican Postal and Philatelic Service for dispatch and philatelic items to be returned to the sender (or a designated individual) are handled at the sender's risk.

These are standard postal cancellations used for postmarking mail being sent to its destination. Upon request, they may also be used for "First Day" cancellations or other specific circumstances. The mail will be forwarded as long as it is correctly stamped with valid Vatican City postage.

For registered mail, the request must include a detailed list in duplicate, indicating: the recipient's name and address, the city of destination preceded by the postal code (ZIP), and a sequential number if multiple items are being sent. It is also important to include the sender’s name and address on the back or upper left corner of the envelopes.