What is Certified Mail?
Certified Mail® is a United States Postal Service (USPS) service that provides the sender with proof of mailing and proof of delivery or delivery attempt. This proof includes:
- The date an item was mailed
- USPS tracking
- Delivery confirmation
Certified Mail normally takes 2-5 business days for delivery. A signature is required upon delivery to provide proof the item was received. If no one is available to receive the letter, a notice will be left stating a delivery attempt was made. The item will then be held at the local Post Office for 15 days before being returned to the sender.
Senders receive an Electronic Delivery Confirmation™ which is a receipt that provides evidence of mailing and proof of USPS Certified Mail letter delivery. Certified Mail Labels provides a PDF report that is automatically generated and emailed for each Certified Mail Label when it is delivered. The PDF reports can be accessed and printed for up to 10 years.
Return Receipt Electronic provides proof of USPS Certified Mail® delivery as well. In addition to the Electronic Delivery Confirmation™, the Return Receipt Electronic includes a copy of the recipient's signature and address of the recipient. When the letter is delivered, USPS creates a PDF file that can be emailed to the sender hours after delivery. A copy of this report is also stored inside a user's Certified Mail Labels account for 10 years.
Return Receipt Signature Restricted Delivery is a Certified Mail Special Service that provides additional evidence of the letter delivery. USPS enables the delivery of the item only to the addressee or addressee’s authorized agent. The addressee must be an individual (or natural person) specified by name. Restricted Delivery may be used only when combined with Certified Mail, Insured Mail over $200, and Registered Mail. Customers receive Electronic Delivery Confirmation by email. With Certified Mail Labels, a record of the transaction including USPS postage, Special Service, mail piece acceptance, tracking, and delivery or the delivery attempt record is kept in a user's account for 10 years.
Certified Mail is used primarily for important legal and compliance mail, regulatory, and notice to owners' mailings.
Sending Certified Mail online with Certified Mail Labels replaces USPS Form 3800 mailing receipts by providing electronic verification and delivery status. Certified Mail Labels is the most convenient and cost-effective way of providing Certified Mail services. Send Certified Mail with Certified Mail Labels and save $2.75 per letter on Certified Mail costs.
