Sending mail by post may seem like an old-fashioned practice, but it's not a relic of the past. The fact that the United States Postal Service (USPS) delivered 112 billion pieces of mail and parcels (per the U.S. Government Accountability Office) is proof of this.
Still, the above figure may have made you worry about your mail getting lost among the billions of other letters and packages that the USPS handles and processes. It's understandable, but fortunately, there's a way to mitigate your worries. Thanks to technological innovations, you can track USPS Certified Mail from the comfort of your home or office, even on the go.
Keep reading to learn more about the easy steps to track USPS mail.
Ensure You Send Your Item via Certified Mail
Not all USPS services come with tracking numbers. Items that may not have these numbers include the following:
- First-Class Mail letters and flats
- Postcards
- Some USPS Marketing Mail items
So, if you must track a letter, document, or any other parcel you need to send, it's imperative you do so through the USPS Certified Mail process. With this service, you'll get a tracking number, which you can then use to monitor your item's journey.
Plus, there are many other perks of opting for Certified Mail. Such as, enhanced safety, transparency, and accountability, given that it requires the addressee's signature upon delivery. Such benefits are especially crucial nowadays, given that mail delays and theft are on the rise. As an April 2024 article from CBS News reports, mail theft complaints jumped from under 60,000 in 2018 to over 250,000 in 2023.
It's important to note, though, that USPS Tracking® is also an "Extra Service" with other postal services that don't automatically include it. For example, you can add it (for an additional fee) to First-Class Mail to obtain tracking information.
Find Your USPS Tracking Number
There are several places where you can find your USPS Tracking number, including the following:
- The shipping receipt that the Post Office issued to you when you initiated the mailing process
- The bottom peel-off portion of the USPS Tracking label
- The Easiest Way-Online in your Certified Mail Labels account
The tracking number of your Certified Mail should be 20 to 22 digits long. Most also start with the number 9.
Select Your Preferred Method to Track USPS Certified Mail
USPS mail tracking is available through several means, including:
- The official USPS website
- Text (SMS)
- USPS Mobile
- Phone
- Certified Mail Labels
Here are the steps for each tracking method.
Via the Official USPS Website
You can track USPS Certified Mail via the official United States Postal Service website (Tools.usps.com/go/TrackAction). Just enter your tracking number in the search bar and hit the "Track" button.
Via Text
You can also track USPS Certified Mail using the USPS Text Tracking tool. With this mechanism, you'll receive notifications about the status of your item. Note that standard message and data rates may apply to each text, though.
To monitor your Certified Mail via text, you can send an SMS message to 2USPS (28777) containing only your tracking number. You should then receive a reply containing the most up-to-date details of your item.
You can also send an SMS message to the same number with your tracking number and a specific keyword. USPS uses several keywords as a means to provide specific information. Here are some examples:
- Tracking Number + AA: All of the package's past and future activity
- Tracking Number + AP: Only the package's previous activity
- Tracking Number + AF: Only the package's future activity
- Tracking Number + DND: Each attempt to deliver the package
Via USPS Mobile
Another way to monitor your Certified Mail's journey is through USPS Mobile, the official Postal Service app. It's pretty popular; with nearly six million downloads for iPhone and Android phones in 2023 alone. Aside from allowing you to track packages, it also lets you do other things, like change the delivery address or set a next-day package pickup.
Via Email or Phone
If you wish to speak to a human USPS agent and get tracking information, you can do so by contacting the federal government agency. Go to Emailus.usps.com/s/ or call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) for help with your package.
Via Certified Mail Labels
Certified Mail Labels is your free and easy one-stop shop for all your online Certified Mail service needs, allowing you to skip the trip to the Post Office. Through our innovative solutions, we can help you send Certified Mail from home. Within just seconds, you can print labels not just for Certified Mail via our website, but also for:
- Restricted Delivery Mail
- Return Receipt Electronic Mail
- First-Class Mail
- Priority Mail
- Express Mail
What if you don't have time to print an important document and send it? Don't worry. You can send us a PDF file of what you need to send, and we'll print, pack, and mail your Certified Mail the same-business-day on your behalf!
By using our service, you'll be able to monitor the status of your USPS Certified Mail items. We can send an Electronic Delivery Confirmation Report directly to your email. Your account with us also gives you access to the following for ten years at no additional charge:
- Proof of delivery
- Tracking files
- Return Receipt Signatures
The services we offer at Certified Mail Labels can also help you save $3.45 per letter on your Certified Mail cost. Plus, think about how much effort, time, and money you can save by skipping the trip to your Post Office!
Streamline Tracking USPS Certified Mail
Now you know there are many ways to track USPS Certified Mail, including via the USPS website, text, app, email, and phone. However, if you want the most straightforward way to track and send your items, consider partnering with Certified Mail Labels.
As the industry leader in online U.S. Mail solutions, we save you time and money on every letter you mail. Through our innovative processes, high-quality solutions, and top-notch customer service, we've gained the trust of hundreds of thousands of customers worldwide, including many Fortune 500 companies.
We look forward to serving you with all your Certified Mail needs. Register a free account now to see the difference we make at Certified Mail Labels! Learn more by scheduling a complimentary Live Demo today.