Yes, you can use two Forever Stamps to cover the postage for a letter or small package. A Forever Stamp is a non-denominational stamp always equivalent to the current First-Class Mail rate for a 1-ounce letter, regardless of when it was purchased. If the current 1-ounce rate is $0.78, each Forever Stamp contributes $0.78 toward the total postage required. The United States Postal Service (USPS) accepts any combination of valid postage stamps that equals or exceeds the necessary mailing cost. Using multiple stamps is an acceptable way to meet a higher postage requirement, such as for heavier mail.
When Two Forever Stamps Are Necessary
A single Forever Stamp covers the postage for a standard First-Class letter weighing up to one ounce. Additional postage is required when a letter exceeds this weight or is non-standard in shape. The most common reason to need more than one stamp is when a letter weighs between one and two ounces, which is the next weight threshold for domestic mail.
The current postage rate for a First-Class letter weighing up to two ounces is $1.07. Using two Forever Stamps applies a total value of $1.56 to the envelope, based on the current $0.78 value of each stamp. While this amount is more than enough to mail your two-ounce letter, it results in an overpayment of $0.49. The USPS does not provide change or credit for this excess postage.
Other scenarios also require extra postage, such as mailing a non-machinable letter. A non-machinable item is one that cannot be processed by automated sorting equipment because it is square, rigid, lumpy, or contains a clasp. These items incur a surcharge, meaning the total postage required is higher than the standard 1-ounce rate. For example, a square envelope weighing less than one ounce starts at $1.27 in postage, which two Forever Stamps would cover, resulting in an overpayment.
The Cost-Effective Alternatives
To avoid overpaying by nearly fifty cents when mailing a two-ounce letter, the most cost-effective solution is to use an Additional Ounce stamp. These stamps are specifically designed to cover the incremental cost for each ounce over the initial one-ounce limit. The current value of an Additional Ounce stamp is $0.29.
The correct combination for a two-ounce letter is one Forever Stamp ($0.78) plus one Additional Ounce stamp ($0.29), totaling exactly $1.07. This method ensures the required postage is met without the significant overpayment that comes from using two full-value Forever Stamps. Additional Ounce stamps are sold separately and are practical to keep on hand for slightly heavier mail.
The combined value of two Forever Stamps ($1.56) is sometimes close to the cost of other specific mail services. For instance, a 1-ounce large envelope, or flat, starts at $1.63, requiring only an additional $0.07 in postage beyond the two stamps. International mail also requires significantly more postage, with a Global Forever Stamp valued at $1.70. For any mail that is not a standard 1-ounce letter, it is always best to use a kitchen scale or the USPS website calculator to determine the precise postage.