What does the mailbox rule state regarding acceptance of an offer?

The mailbox rule is a legal principle in contract law that states acceptance of an offer is effective at the moment it is sent, provided it is communicated through an authorized means, such as traditional mail, email, or fax, depending on the terms of the offer. This means that as soon as the offeree dispatches their acceptance, the agreement is considered binding, even if the offeror has not yet received it.

This rule benefits the offeree by allowing them to establish acceptance without needing to wait for the offeror's acknowledgment. The focus is on the action of sending the acceptance rather than the various delivery methods or the timing of its receipt by the offeror. In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of contract acceptance that do not align with the mailbox rule's principle. For instance, stating that acceptance is effective only upon receipt or requiring it to be delivered in person would negate the advantages provided by the mailbox rule for the offeree.