Do you need to send an important or confidential document in the mail?
If so, you may not feel comfortable simply putting it in your mailbox and hoping it reaches its intended destination. When you need to make sure that your mail is in the right hands and you require confirmation of receipt, USPS Certified Mail is the way to go.
This special postal service includes extra steps to ensure your mail is delivered on time and to the correct recipient. Yet, it requires certain steps to occur successfully. Today, we're sharing our in-depth USPS Certified Mail instructions to make sure you get it right.
Sending Online vs. In Person
When you need to access Certified Mail services, you have two options. The first is to visit your local Post Office in person. There you will stand in a long line and pay a premium price to send you mail Certified. However, there’s an easier and more effective way to easily handle your Certified Mail- online!
Easily create and send Certified Mail labels from the comfort of your home or office. Let’s take a quick look at how each process works.
Sending at the Post Office
If you prefer to send your Certified Mail at the Post Office or a designated mailing center, you’ll need to ask the clerk for copies of Form 3800. Then, you’ll need to physically fill in the required information to complete the form. Then, attach the form to your certified parcel yourself.
Most of the time, these forms are available for patrons to find and use on their own. If you need proof of the mailing, you’re required to visit the postal counter, where a worker will stamp your mailing receipt to verify the date. Once the form is complete you must pay for the postage and additional service to mail.
Normally, Certified Mail takes between two to five business days to arrive at its destination. If you select Priority Mail, it will arrive sooner.
Note that while Certified Mail will provide you with proof of mailing and delivery, you can select Registered Mail if you need updates throughout the full shipment process. With this additional service, you’ll receive a notification each time a USPS employee hands off your package, enhancing your security and peace of mind.
Sending From Home
If you prefer to skip the trip to the Post Office and wish to save $2.65 on each letter mailed, you can easily create Certified Mail labels online using live USPS postage. To do so, you’ll start by creating a free Certified Mail Labels account.
Once you’ve created an account, you can quickly log in and get started. If you only need to make one label, navigate to the top menu and select “Single Label Creation” under “Address Labels.” You can also create batch labels for more extensive mailings.
Our program will walk you through each step required to make, print, and affix the label to your mailing. As with an in-person service, you’ll receive proof that the document was mailed. As well as, other standard services including letter tracking and delivery confirmation.
In this case, your Certified Mail “label” will be a plain sheet of paper that you can print on your color printer. Once you’ve added all the necessary shipment information, you’ll print, fold, and affix the label to the outside of your envelope. Or streamline your mailings with Certified Mail envelopes.
If you prefer, you can also purchase our pre-approved USPS Certified Mail Envelopes, which only require a black ink laser printer for automated mailings. This way, you can skip all the extra steps required to glue, tape, or affix your home-printed label. Our official envelopes contain everything you need to send your item securely, including the green USPS Certified Mail banner and the cellophane window, which allows USPS barcode readers to easily sort and process the mail for expedited delivery.
When it’s time to pay for your label, you can do so using your designated payment account. Our labels use real USPS Postage and contain actual Certified Mail tracking numbers and barcodes. After you select the weight of your item and the specific USPS delivery services you require, you’ll see your final amount due. In addition to USPS Certified Mail, we can also provide the following additional services:
- Return Receipt Electronic
- Restricted Delivery
- Priority Mail
Save time and money by skipping the trip to the Post Office. Certified Mail Labels require NO:
- Green Cards
- Forms
- Labels
- Stickers
You can also save on postage meter costs, as there’s no equipment to buy or software to install.
Tracking Delivery
Individuals often choose Certified Mail so they can track the delivery of their USPS items. We will send an Electronic Delivery Confirmation Report™ directly to your email as soon as the item is successfully delivered.
In addition, we'll also archive important information related to your mailing, including:
- Proof of delivery
- Tracking files
- Return Receipt Signatures
These will remain in your online account for 10 years, free of charge, where you can access them any time you need to.
Benefits of Certified Mail
No matter where you go to make and send your labels, the benefit of Certified Mail is that it requires the recipient to sign upon delivery. This gives you verifiable proof that your item was delivered on time and to the correct person.
This is important for official, sensitive, or confidential documents, such as business-related or legal forms. It’s also useful for compliance mail, regulatory notices, and notices to owners’ mailings.
When you create your labels with Certified Mail Labels, you’re always just a few steps away from the services you need. There are no monthly fees or contracts required for service use. The only information needed to register is your name and contact information.
Follow Our USPS Certified Mail Instructions
Certified Mail can be incredibly helpful when you need to send a document securely. However, it doesn't have to be complicated! We're here to help you handle everything as easily as possible, right from your home or office.
We provide clear Certified Mail instructions USPS has approved and authorized. Whether you need one label or dozens, our intuitive platform is easy to access and user-friendly.
Ready to get started? Register for an account today!
