DD Form 2261 – Fill Out and Use This PDF

The DD Form 2261 is a crucial document used for recording the balance and inventory of registered mail, tracking the number of items processed, and ensuring accountability in managing these items within specified timeframes. By meticulously detailing every item—ranging from those on hand at the beginning of a period to those delivered, received, or dispatched—it lays a foundational grid for transparency and efficient inventory management. To learn more about how to accurately fill out this form and maintain a detailed record of registered mail transactions, click the button below.

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DD Form 2261 PDF Details

This Department of Defense document maintains a daily accounting of registered mail in military postal operations. Postal officers and mail clerks use it to record the complete lifecycle of registered mail from receipt through dispatch.

What the Form Tracks

The one-page PDF records these registered mail categories per accounting period:

Beginning balance - items on hand at the start of the period

Accepted and received - new mail items taken in during the period

Delivered and dispatched - items sent to recipients or other facilities

Prepared for dispatch - items packaged and ready for shipment

Ending balance - registered mail remaining on hand at the period's close

Remarks and verification - notes and supervisor signature block

Who Uses It

Military post offices across Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps mail units use this inventory form during daily audits to verify all registered mail is accounted for. It supports chain-of-custody documentation and ensures transparency in military mail operations.

Question	Answer
Form Name	DD Form 2261
Form Length	1 page
Fillable?	No
Fillable fields	0
Avg. time to fill out	15 sec
Agency	Department of Defense
Other names	Registered Mail Balance and Inventory, DoD Form 2261, military mail inventory form

How to Edit DD Form 2261 Online for Free

Use the online editor on this page to fill out this form in your browser. No software download is required. Enter all required fields, verify your totals, and download the completed PDF when done.

How to Complete Each Section

Enter the date and accounting period at the top of the form
Record the beginning balance from the previous period's closing inventory count
Add all registered mail items accepted and received during the current period
Document items opened, delivered, and dispatched to recipients
Tally prepared-for-dispatch items awaiting shipment
Calculate the ending balance: beginning balance plus received, minus dispatched items
Complete the remarks field for any discrepancies or special handling notes
Obtain a supervisor's signature in the verification block

Frequently Asked Questions

What military branches use this form?

All branches that operate military post offices use this form, including Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard units within Department of Defense postal operations.

How often must the form be completed?

Postal units complete a new balance sheet each accounting period, typically daily or whenever a clerk assumes or relinquishes responsibility for a registered mail inventory.

What if beginning and ending balances do not match?

Use the remarks section to document any discrepancy. Report significant variances to a postal officer for investigation before signing the verification block.

Related Military Mail Forms

DD Form 1351-2 - Travel Voucher or Subvoucher
Declaration of Mailing Form
CN17 Postal Form
Mail Forwarding Form