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I’m mailing a paper clerkship application to a federal judge. I got a tracking number, so I know when it’s delivered to the courthouse. But how long after that (i.e. delivery to the federal courthouse) will the judge’s chambers actually receive it?

I ask because I want to have a recommender call as soon as chambers has received the application.

For those of you are current or past clerks and know the answer, I would especially appreciate your opinion.

Thank you!

In my flyover District Court clerkship, a clerk or court employee walked over to a different building to pick up (and open up) the mail in the "safe" mailroom. Someone went over most days, but not every day.

I imagine the answer comes down to chambers' idiosyncrasies. You're probably fine if you wait a few days before calling.

It can take a week or two for the clerk to remember to check the right mailbox, and even then it might remain in a pile for weeks without being read.

I think you have it backwards. Just have your recommender call. If it's a compelling recommendation, we'll hunt down the application, even if it means going to the mailroom for it.

Just have your recommender call a couple days after it's delivered. We tried to go to the mail room and check the mail every day, but that didn't always happen. If you really want to err on the safe side, give it a few days.

I’d say we check our mail once every few days, but I don’t think it’s very relevant to timing recommender calls