The extra cost and hassle of Certified Mail aren't worth information technology for most eCommerce packages. No signature required is a pop delivery choice because it lets people go letters and packages when no ane is home to receive them. However, if you demand proof that your package or letter was delivered to the recipient, you can't do improve than sending it by USPS Certified Mail®.

USPS logo

This web log was originally published on November 27, 2020. It'south been updated to reverberate current Certified Post rates as of June 9, 2022.

What is USPS Certified Mail?

Certified Mail is a service offered by the Us Postal Service. A certified particular needs a commitment signature; information technology can't be left in a mailbox or on a doorstep. Certified Mail is only available on first-class mail.

USPS lets you get a signature from the person who received the mail service, such as a receptionist. Or you tin can specify that the addressee must sign for the package or letter. That style, you know the commodity was delivered to the right person.

You tin check the commitment status of a piece of USPS Certified Mail® online or by telephone. If you send a lot of Certified Mail service, yous can get commitment confirmations through a bulk file transfer too.

An add-on service with USPS Certified Mail® is a return receipt. You tin can have a receipt mailed to you or sent by email. This service is important for items such as legal paperwork where you might demand to bear witness that it was delivered on a certain date. This service is different from a certificate of mailing.

Which carriers take certified commitment options?

USPS is the only place to get an official certified mail service service. However, both FedEx and UPS offer similar signature requirements and delivery confirmations.

You can specify signature requirements for FedEx envelopes and packages. You can remember proof of commitment, including a scan of the signature, on your tracking page.

UPS delivery confirmation services will mail you a delivery receipt. This is closer to certified mail. Nevertheless, if you need delivery confirmation for legal reasons, your best option is still USPS. Some courts and government agencies will not take anything but Certified Post every bit proof of delivery.

How much does USPS Certified Postal service® cost?

USPS Certified Mail® costs $3.75, in addition to the postage needed to mail your particular. If you desire to add a return receipt, that is an additional $3.05 for a post receipt or $1.85 for an electronic receipt.

How to send Certified Postal service

USPS certified mail form 3800

You need to go to a postal service office in person to send USPS Certified Mail®. At a postal service office or other mailing centre, you lot can pick up copies of Class 3800 and adhere them to your certified parcels yourself. Yous may also be able to print out certified mail service labels online. Notwithstanding, if y'all need proof of mailing, yous'll demand to present it at the counter. A postal worker volition postage your mailing receipt to verify the date you mailed it.

USPS certified mail return receipt

Certified Postal service Q&A

Before you lot visit the post office, you might have additional questions nigh Certified Mail. These questions can exist specific, and we're here to help! Here are some additional questions and their answers below:

Q: Tin you ship Certified Postal service to a PO Box?

A: Yes, you can post Certified Mail to a PO Box, and it's unproblematic. All you need to do is address your mail service with the PO Box address.

Q: How long does certified mail take?

A: Certified Mail service normally takes two-5 business organisation days. However, it tin can exist delivered sooner if you select Priority Mail service.

Q: What is registered mail?

A: Registered Mail is the nigh secure pick for mailing. Why? Each fourth dimension the package is handed off to a new person, the package is signed and the customer is notified. This option is bachelor for customers sending valuable or irreplaceable items through the mail.

Q: What'due south the difference between Registered Mail and Certified Post?

A: While Certified Mail provides proof of shipment and commitment, Registered Mail service provides updates throughout the unabridged shipment process. By receiving updates after each USPS employee passes off your bundle, you can relax thanks to the boosted security.

How to track Certified Post?

Tracking your Certified Mail service is exactly the same as tracking regular packages. When sending out your certified postal service, yous volition receive a tracking number that is attached to your commitment. In one case bachelor, y'all just visit USPS Tracking and enter your tracking number. From there, you tin can monitor your package'south journey from post office to post role.

What happens if the recipient doesn't sign for a certified package?

The commitment person can't exit Certified Mail without a signature. If no i is domicile to receive it, the postal worker will leave a note that a delivery attempt was made.

USPS only makes one delivery attempt. Later that, the carrier returns the letter of the alphabet or package to the nearest mail role. Yous tin can sign the receipt and have someone else pick up the item for you unless information technology was sent with restricted delivery. In that instance, the person the Certified Mail service is addressed to must go to the post part and show ID to option information technology upwardly. The post function will hold undelivered USPS certified mail for 15 days before returning it to the sender.

FedEx Ground, UPS Ground, USPS Priority Mail shipping line

If you need aid deciding which USPS services are correct for your eCommerce business, reach out to your 3PL services visitor. At Carmine Stag Fulfillment, part of our services is helping clients empathize the best eCommerce shipping options for their order fulfillment.

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