New Michigan Policy Requires Registration and QR Codes on Legal Mail

As of 2025, the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) has implemented a new policy that requires attorneys, courts, legal service organizations, consulates, and other confidential, privileged, and special handling mail senders to register with TextBehind to send mail to inmates in MDOC facilities. With this system, all legal mail—i.e., mail sent by attorneys and court personnel to an inmate—must bear a registered sender ID and a QR code. This measure is designed to enhance security, verify the authenticity of legal correspondence, and reduce the introduction of contraband through the mail system.

Under the new rules, attorneys and other approved legal professionals must register with the MDOC legal mail system before sending legal mail to an inmate. Once registered, they will be able to generate a QR code to be included on each piece of legal correspondence. Mail that does not meet these requirements may be delayed, rejected, or returned. Registration and QR code requirements do not include legal documents and correspondence sent by someone representing themselves without an attorney. Mail sent by pro se litigants is still considered personal mail and must follow the facility’s guidelines, which include being opened, inspected, and sometimes even photocopied by staff members.

For more information on legal sender registration requirements, visit the Michigan Department of Corrections website.