In the age of COVID-19, doing anything outside of your home is risking exposure to the virus. The pandemic continues no matter what. When it comes to the mail and going to the post office, this also holds true.
No one can escape sending mail, despite our increasing use of digital means like email and other apps. Still, if you need to send certified mail, then a visit to the post office is almost guaranteed, or so it seems.
So, how can you send certified mail without going to the post office?
Take a look below at the steps to send certified mail online, so you can avoid going into the Post Office in 2021. You can learn how to certify mail online from home. This keeps you safe and keeps your business going!
What Is Certified Mail?
Certified mail is an important service, for everyone, whether you are a corporation or a small business.
Certified mail means the sender will get a mailing receipt. When a piece of mail is delivered, the mail services will alert the sender if it was a successful delivery or not thanks to electronic verification.
The post office will also keep a record of certified mail for up to two years after the date of delivery. You can also use our certified mail envelopes and labels too. Check out how that works here.
What Does Certified Mail Cost?
The cost of certified mail does not vary. Certified mail through USPS costs $4.40. Stay informed, with certified mail costs increases.
This is in addition to the cost for First Class or Priority Mail delivery. If you opt for the Return Receipt with Certified Mail, then you can add $3.65 to your overall payment (or, if you opt for an electronic receipt, $2.32).
Anticipate costs with certified mail. Still, it is only a small amount to pay to make sure your mail gets there safely!
How Long Does Certified Mail Take to Send?
Delivery time varies no matter what you send. For certified mail, delivery time depends on if you are sending it as First Class Mail or Priority Mail.
First Class Mail's delivery time is two to five business days, and Priority Mail's is two to three days. You can pick which one works best for you. With certified mail, you will get the same benefits either way.
That said, there are delivery delays through USPS. That is why online certified mail is a great option: it guarantees speediness.
How to Certify Mail Online
You can certify mail online. You do not need to go to the post office to do it. The steps below will tell you how you can do that online.
1. Find the Services You Want to Use
There are many online services that will certify letters for you, so you can send them from home. You won't want to just pick any website, though.
Oftentimes, you will have to create an account. Make sure you only give out the information you need to in order to get your certified mailing job done. If a website is asking for too much personal information, it may not be a legitimate online service to certify mail.
2. Complete Your Letter
You need to make sure you finalize your letter before you begin to certify it and prepare it for mailing. Double-check to make sure you don't have any glaring errors.
Once you've determined your letter is how you want it, you can move on to the next step.
3. Scan and Upload Your Letter
If your letter is a physical copy, you will need to scan it first. Make sure that the file does not get corrupted as you transfer it to your computer as an electronic file.
If it is already on your computer, great! Either way, create a second copy and save it elsewhere on your computer so that you have a back-up file.
You can then upload your letter to the certified mail web services you are using. The uploading part is easy, and after that, fill in your information correctly. This information includes the recipient's name and address, how you will pay, and any other customizations you may need to add.
4. Send and Track
Hit send, and there you go! Your certified letter is on its way.
Using your electronic receipt, you can use the tracking code to ensure your letter is delivered on time and where it should be. Oftentimes, you will also get an email notification that it has arrived too or if there are any delivery problems.
5. Delivery Problems? Let Them Know
If there is a delivery problem, contact your certified mail delivery services as soon as you're aware of it. The longer you wait, the more they may not be able to help you.
The certified mail service wants to help you and problem-solve any delivery delays. Stay courteous with them.
Send Certified Mail Without Going to the Post Office
Now you can send certified mail without going to the post office! You can stay safe now that you know how to send certified mail online. Certified mail online is a great alternative to going to the post office, especially in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Do you have any more questions about certified mail? For all of your certified mail label needs, or for any questions, contact us today! We'll be happy to help you whether it is a general question on certified mail or you looking to purchase certified mail labels.
