On January 21, 2024, the U.S. Postal Service announced changes to its Certified Mail rates. As a savvy spender, it's smart to keep up with these adjustments so you can plan your mailings accordingly.
Most of the increases are minimal, but it's still important to understand what they are, and how they could affect your budget. More importantly, you need to know how to save time and money when you send Certified Mail.
As the industry leader in online Certified Mail, when you trust Certified Mail Labels, you can rest assured that you’re saving $2.75 on each certified letter mailed. Today, we're sharing the most up-to-date rates and how to calculate your postage the right way.
What Are the Most Recent Certified Mail Rates?
To review the most accurate rates, we recommend starting with the 2024 USPS Certified Mail Rates. Here, we break down the different charges you can expect based on the mailing services you require. This guide reflects the rate change that the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) approved on November 15, 2023, which went into effect on Sunday, January 21, 2024.
As a quick recap, the postage meter rate to send a one-ounce USPS Certified Mail letter with a Return Receipt (also known as a green card) is now $8.69. If you want to lower this cost, you can use Certified Mail Labels with Electronic Delivery Confirmation instead, which will reduce the price to $5.94.
This is an easy and effective way to save nearly $3.00 just by skipping the old-fashioned green cards and choosing electronic confirmation!
Detailed Breakdown
In addition to knowing the base price of Certified Mail services, it helps to know what other mailing options cost. Let's take a look at the most common services and their associated costs.
- Certified Mail Fee: $4.40 (up from $4.35 in July 2023)
- Electronic Delivery With Confirmation Receipt: $0.90 (same as July 2023)
- Return Receipt Green Card (original Green Card): $3.65 (up from $3.55 in July 2023)
- Return Receipt With Electronic Signature (PDF, no Green Card): $2.32 (up from $2.20 in July 2023)
- First Class Postage (one-ounce metered rate): $0.64 (up from $0.63 in July 2023)
- Additional ounce- first class postage under 3.5 ounces: $0.24 (same)
- Flats one-ounce rate (9 x 12 or 10" x 13"): $1.39 (up from $1.35 in July 2023)
- Restricted Delivery Service: $7.25 (up from $7.10 in July 2023)
In addition, the USPS also increased prices for flat-rate parcels over one ounce, as well as letter rates over 3.5 ounces. You can check out the complete breakdown in our guide, here.
How to Calculate Your Certified Mail Postage
Once you create an account with Certified Mail Labels, you can simply log in with your email and password to start quickly and easily creating single labels or batch labels.
Then, find the red navigation menu at the top. Go to Address Letters, and then Single Label. From there, you'll follow the easy process to create your labels from home. We even made it as simple as 1-2-3!
First, add your return address. This field will automatically default to your profile, but you can edit it if necessary. Then, complete all of the required fields to add your delivery address.
Finally, choose your mail options. This is where your price will change based on the specific USPS Certified Mail services you select. Once you decide which options you need, you'll also select your envelope type and postage weight.
Keep in mind, Certified Mail Labels requires:
- No Green Cards
- No Forms
- No Stickers
- No Special Equipment
- No Special Software
Learn more with this easy, step-by-step guide.
After you preview the label, you can click "Purchase and Print" to complete the process. Let's take a look at some of the additional services you'll be able to browse, and the extra cost associated with each one.
Additional Services That Affect Cost
In addition to basic Certified Mail services, you may need extra functions to complete your mailing. Here are some of the most common ones.
Electronic Delivery Confirmation
As mentioned, you can save money by opting for electronic delivery confirmation over the conventional green card. The total price for this service is just $5.94. This is the base $4.40 Certified Mail fee, plus $0.64 for First Class Postage and $0.90 for the Electronic Delivery Confirmation Receipt.
This is a special service that provides each sender with a mailing receipt or proof of mailing at the time of submittal, plus an electronic verification that the item was delivered or the carrier attempted delivery. In this case, you'll receive a report that displays key information about the delivery, including:
- Postage transaction
- Date of mailing
- Certified Mail receipt
- USPS mail piece acceptance
- In-route tracking
- Final delivery date and time (or record of delivery attempt)
This comprehensive report is available by email for every mailing you complete. In addition, we also take it one step further by saving a copy in your account for 10 years- at no additional charge!
Return Receipt Requested
If you need Return Receipts in addition to your Certified Mail, the total price will be $8.26. This is the base $4.40 Certified Mail fee, plus $0.64 for First Class Postage, $0.90 for the Electronic Delivery Confirmation Receipt, and $2.32 for the Return Receipt Electronic.
This service includes all of the features described above for our Electronic Delivery Confirmation. In addition, you'll also receive a Return Receipt Electronic Signature from USPS that displays who signed for the delivery at the address. We make it easy to receive both of these confirmations via email.
Restricted Delivery
If you want to be certain that your mail only goes to a specific individual, then you can select the Restricted Delivery service. This service includes all of the features listed above, as well as additional evidence that the letter was delivered as requested.
The price for this service is $15.51. This is the base $4.40 Certified Mail fee, plus $0.64 for First Class Postage, $2.32 for the Return Receipt Green Card, $0.90 for the Electronic Delivery Confirmation Receipt, and $7.25 for the Restricted Delivery fee.
If you choose this service, USPS will take special precautions to ensure the item is only delivered to the addressee or addressee's authorized agent. This additional feature is only available when combined with Certified Mail, Insured Mail over $200, or Registered Mail.
Understand These Certified Mail USPS Rates
It can be tricky keeping up with all the different USPS Certified Mail rates. That's why we're here to make it easy! You can trust that Certified Mail Rates always displays the latest prices, and we stay up-to-date with the most recent changes.
Skip the trip to the Post Office. Save time and money by sending Certified Mail, with optional additional services, from the comfort of your home or office. Learn more about Certified Mail Labels and get started today. Register for an account!
