Certified Mail is a USPS service that provides senders with an official receipt that provides proof that the item was mailed. after the certified mail document is delivered, the postman requires the recipient’s signature. Senders using certified mail can also request a physical or electronic acknowledgment of receipt with the recipient’s signature. These are some of the most frequently asked questions about the USPS service:
How long will it take USPS to deliver my certified mail letter?
Delivery time depends on the mail class chosen to add the certified mail service. If you send a letter by first class mail, delivery usually takes 2-5 business days. for priority mail, delivery is usually 2-3 business days. however, USPS does not guarantee an exact delivery time for either First Class Mail or Priority Mail.
Why should I use certified mail?
Senders often use certified mail when they need to provide proof that a correspondence was sent and received. The most common uses of certified mail are to send tax returns, bank documents and urgent communications with debtors or creditors.
Do I have to be present at a post office to send certified mail?
no, as long as you enclose the proper certified mail forms and the correct amount of postage, you can have a usps carrier pick up your certified mail correspondence or drop it off in a drop box.
can certified mail go to a post office box? cash register?
yes, when certified mail arrives at the delivery post office, the carrier will place a delivery notice inside the post office box. box directing the person to present proof of delivery to the window clerk. Please note that a recipient is not legally required to sign proof of delivery, regardless of where the mail is delivered.
Can anyone at the mailing address sign for certified mail?
yes, with standard certified mail, anyone present at the mailing address can sign for the mail. however, if you send an email with restricted certified mail, only the person to whom it is addressed can sign it.
What name is on the receipt, mine or the person I’m mailing it to?
On the green and white “certified mail receipt,” write the name of the person you’re mailing to. your address should be entered at the bottom.
If certified mail is returned to the sender as undeliverable, should the sender sign the green card?
no, the sender should not sign it. the fact that it was returned as undeliverable with the unsigned green card intact is proof that you tried to send it.
How can I use certified mail with stamps.com?
- connect to stamps.com to print certified mail: our software connects you to your stamps.com account where you can print certified mail.
- click “envelopes” on the left navigation bar.
- select “letters” as your mailing type.
- enter the weight of your mailing.
- select your class of mail – note that only first class mail and priority mail are options when use a certified mail form or envelope.
- choose additional services: At this point, you can select options such as return receipt requested and restricted delivery. remember, depending on the services chosen, unused portions of the form may contain the word null when printed.
- please specify required address information for your correspondence.
- select your printable option – from the “print on” list, select the stamps.com preformatted certified mail envelope or form.
- print – load the form on your printer, then click “print postage”. We recommend that you print a sample on a blank sheet of paper so that you know the correct direction to upload the form. and remember, the method of affixing the certified mail form to your shipment will depend on the additional services you selected in step 8. pay close attention to the instructions printed on the form to ensure that you attach it to your shipment correctly.