Jim, how do you deal with the effective/expiration date for a cert that you've delayed?
I sometimes measure a course in November or December and submit the certificate in January for an early spring race. But, that's just so that the expiration is a full 10 years from the first running on the course.
I agree that certificates shouldn't be removed. I don't insist on payment prior to forwarding a certificate and although I sometimes have to remind race directors, I've never been "stiffed" for a payment. Keep USATF out of it.