Everyone wants to make the process of sending Certified Mail easier, quicker and…cheaper. This is possible and simpler than you think!
Certified Mail is a type of mail delivery service that adds security to a letter, large envelope or even package and lets you know when it gets to the intended recipient. If you send Certified Mail often enough, this extra service can add up, and not just in fees and postage costs. Think about the valuable employee time spent submitting, tracking and archiving Certified Mail receipts.
As of July 10, 2022,thepostage meter rateto send a 1-ounce USPS Certified Mail® letter with a Return Receipt (old-fashioned Green Card) is$7.82(4.00+3.25+.57)
If you use Online Certified Mail with Electronic Delivery Confirmation, you can reduce your cost by almost a third to$5.47. (4.00+.90+.57)
In this post, we're breaking down the different Certified Mail costs and outlining several ways you can reduce them.
1. Certified Mail Costs
Certified Mail is an extra service offered by the USPS that provides you with verification that a mail piece or package was delivered. The service fee is$4.00, whether you send a small letter or a large box. However, if you automate your process you can reduce postage costs for Certified Mail with Return Receipt™just by using online Certified Mail software to enter the recipient’s address and print the Certified Mail label right from your office. This streamlined online process also has address correction, so you won’t pay double for returned mail that you have to resend again. Online Certified Mail also gives you tracking and visibility to the mail piece so that you aren’t left worrying and waiting.
2. Return Receipt Costs
Return Receipt is proof of delivery that the item you mailed was received. This is written confirmation that something was delivered and received and is often needed when delivering important tax forms, medical documents, legal documents and more. Return Receipt can either be hard copy which costs an additional$3.25or an electronic confirmation which costs only$.90. By using electronic Return Receipt you save up to 72% and improve how you save and archive Certified Mail. By sending Certified Mail with electronic Return Receipt you can easily organize and archive Certified Mail receipts in one easy to use portal.NOTE: Electronic return receipt (PDF) with signature is $2.00 but still over a 38% savings over old-fashioned green cards.
3. Postage Costs
As an extra sevice, Certified Mail is in addition to the postage you already have to pay to mail or send your item. If you are sending a letter, that can cost$.60.A typical package can cost anywhere from $2.00 to $200, depending on the size and weight. To keep your postage costs down, adhere to two simple best practices: #1 Use a postage meter and #2 Use flat rate shipping whenever possible. When using a postage meter you save 5% on every letter you mail, so the postage costs go from $.60 to only $.57. When using Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express flat rate shipping, pay one flat rate when you send using Certified Mail, regardless of how much the packages weigh.
In summary, purchasing your Certified Mail Labels online and skipping a trip to the Post Office will save you $2.35 per mailing off the old-fashioned green cards and forms.
These are just a few ways you can minimize your Certified Mail costs and improve your Certified Mail process. To speak to a specialist and explore other ways to improve your mail process,contacta Quadient rep today! To learn more about Certified Mail with electronic Return Receiptdownload the e-Certify brochureand see the improvements to workflow in action.
FAQs
Certified Mail Cost
- You can head to the post office, and select Certified Mail as an option for your letter or package. Done this way, it costs about $3.35.
- You can use Mailform, and send USPS Certified Mail from the comfort of your home. With Mailform, it costs about $8.99.
Step by Step
- Click the Select box next to Extra Services.
- In the Security drop down menu, select Certified Mail.
- Fill out USPS form 3800, available at no cost in our Store or at the Post Office.
- If you would like a Return Receipt, check the Return Receipt box.
- Fill out USPS form 3811.
Certified Mail will increase by twenty-five cents to $4.00 from $3.75. Special services such as Registered Mail, Signature Confirmation and Return Receipt will also increase in July 2022.
What is the best way to send Certified Mail? ›
Fill in the Certified Mail® Receipt (Form PS 3800) and attach it to the front of your envelope. Then pay for the postage and Certified Mail fees at the counter. The clerk will stamp the PS 3800 form and give a portion back to you as Proof of Acceptance.
What is better than Certified Mail? ›
Unlike certified mail, registered mail offers another level of security protection and care. This includes locked cages, safes or sealed containers and a chain of custody with electronic insurance coverage of up to $25,000, based on the value of the item mailed.
How much does USPS Certified Mail cost? ›
How much does USPS Certified Mail® cost? USPS Certified Mail® costs $3.75, in addition to the postage needed to mail your item. If you want to add a return receipt, that is an additional $3.05 for a mail receipt or $1.85 for an electronic receipt.
Is Certified Mail worth it? ›
Certified mail offers added assurance and security for sensitive documents. It's also a great postage solution for time-sensitive documents that require both proof-of-mailing and delivery. Certified mail can be costly, but worth it for important documents where mistakes could cost even more.
Can I print my own Certified Mail? ›
Print Certified Mail® cover sheets and labels from your standard office or home printer, in seconds. No more USPS forms, no need for postage meters and no need to visit the Post Office. Automatic address verification reduces delivery problems once mailed.
Is there a special envelope for Certified Mail? ›
Certified Mail #11 Envelope with Postage, Mailing Receipt and Return Receipt Postcard (SDC-3810) – A quick and easy option, this envelope is ideal for mailing items that fit into #11 or smaller envelopes.
Which is cheaper priority or Certified Mail? ›
As we can see, it costs $17.03 to ship a 5-pound package with USPS Priority Mail. So, the final cost comes to $20.78 when you add the $3.75 certified mail fee. Plus, you'll receive your parcel in 2 to 3 business days with USPS tracking and free package pickup.
Unlike Certified Mail which is sent with regular mail, Registered mail is sent separately and usually takes longer to arrive. Due to the extra tracking, Registered Mail was more expensive and is typically used to send valuables and important documents since it's a more secure type of mail.
Which is cheaper first class mail or Certified Mail? ›
So before you send the next batch of letters, find out the main differences between First Class, Priority, and Certified mail. If you're sending a letter or small package that weighs 13 ounces or less , First Class mail is the least expensive option.
What is the difference between certificate of mailing and Certified Mail? ›
A certificate of mailing only proves that mail was shipped on a certain date, but it does not prove or confirm that the mail was delivered. Certified mail provides proof that the mail was shipped AND delivered.
Is it better to send certified or priority mail? ›
Certified Mail is best suited for sending important documents for which you want proof of delivery. Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation service is ideal for sending packages quickly and offers tracking service for a small fee.
Does Certified Mail require a signature? ›
Certified Mail requires a signature from the recipient to complete the delivery. This could be the person who ordered the mail, or any recipient authorized by the sender or receiver beforehand. For the majority of e-commerce stores, using USPS Certified Mail is unjustifiably costly.
Can Certified Mail be left in mailbox? ›
Do I have to be present at a Post Office to send Certified Mail? No, as long as you affix the proper Certified Mail Forms and the correct amount of postage, you can have a USPS mail carrier pick up your Certified Mail mailpiece or drop it in a mailbox.
Can I buy Certified Mail online? ›
With Stamps.com you can buy postage for Certified Mail and Return Receipt using forms from the Post Office. Or, if you want to save even more time we have built-in Certified Mail forms* – no handwriting required!
What happens if no one signs for Certified Mail? ›
What Happens If You Are Not Home To Sign For a USPS Package? Just like any undelivered certified mail, your USPS package will be taken to your local post office after a slip has been posted through your door. Then, as we said earlier, you'll have 15 days to pick it up.
How much is certified mail with signature confirmation? ›
Signature Confirmation costs $3.65 when purchased at a Post Office, and $3.65 when purchased electronically using online postage services such as Stamps.com.
Which is faster certified or registered mail? ›
Certified Mail delivers in the same timeframe as First Class or Priority Mail. Yet, due to the security measures during transport and handling, Registered Mail travels slower the usual. If you need secure, but not fast delivery, use Registered Mail over Certified.
How long does it take for certified mail to arrive? USPS Certified Mail travels at the same speed as First-Class mail. It is considered First-Class mail and requires first class postage in addition to the certified mail fees. We've found that Certified Mail arrives at its destination in 1 to 5 days.
Can certified mail get lost? ›
There are several reasons why certified mail can go missing. Sometimes it's due to a sender error, where the recipient's address was incorrect. Even writing a single-digit wrong within the zipcode can lead to a letter becoming lost.
Does certified mail get tracked? ›
All USPS Certified Mail come with tracking numbers. If you sent your Certified Mail at the post office, you will be able to locate your tracking number on your payment receipt.
Will online Certified Mail hold up in court? ›
Sending legal documents via certified mail is a way to maintain the paper trail. If there is ever a dispute, the certified signature will hold up in court.
What are certified mail options? ›
Certified Mail® service is a numbered service that:
- Provides the sender with a mailing receipt (as shown in these examples of Form 3800 / Receipt for Certified Mail)
- Also provides electronic verification that an article was delivered or that a delivery attempt was made.
Certified mail provides a mailing receipt to the sender as proof that a package was sent on a certain date, as well as electronic verification of delivery upon request. Signature confirmation provides the sender with the recipient's signature, name, delivery date, and delivery address.
What type of certified mail requires a signature? ›
There are two types of certified mail choices. You can send it as regular certified mail which means that anyone at the address can sign for it. Or you can send it as restricted certified mail which means that only the intended recipient can sign for it.
How much does it cost to send a certified letter through ups? ›
How Much Does Certified Mail Cost? Certified mail costs $3.75 per shipment, not including the cost of postage.
Is FedEx or ups cheaper for letters? ›
Which is cheaper: UPS, USPS, or FedEx? Out of the three major carriers, USPS is typically the cheapest option. After that, UPS comes in at a close second, and FedEx ranks as the most expensive (yet arguably most reliable) carrier.
What is the difference between Certified Mail and signature confirmation? ›
Certified mail provides a mailing receipt to the sender as proof that a package was sent on a certain date, as well as electronic verification of delivery upon request. Signature confirmation provides the sender with the recipient's signature, name, delivery date, and delivery address.
Select your mail class –
Keep in mind that only First Class and Priority Mail are options when you use a Certified Mail form or envelope, and that USPS regulations prohibit reusing forms already used for mailing.
Should I send my taxes certified or Registered Mail? ›
If you need to file a paper tax return, consider sending it by certified mail, with a return receipt. This will be your proof of the date you mailed your tax return and when the IRS received it. You may also use certain private delivery services designated by the IRS.
Should I send legal documents certified or Registered Mail? ›
Certified mail provides a mailing receipt, a trackable number and proof of receipt. It is often used for legal documents, and other mail items requiring provable delivery by a specific date.
Is first class mail same as certified? ›
Certified mail is first class material for which the sender wants written evidence of its delivery. Please write on your department mailing card that you wish the mail piece(s) to be certified. Return receipt and restricted delivery is available for additional fees.
