What is Certified Mail®?
Certified Mail is a numbered Extra Service that:
- Can be purchased at the time of mailing at a Post Office™
- Provides the sender with a mailing receipt as confirmation an item was sent (see Form 3800 / Receipt for Certified Mail)
- Requires a signature from the addressee
- May be combined with Return Receipt Service to provide the sender proof of signature, with the option of receiving the return receipt by mail or electronically
- If requested, provides electronic verification that an item was delivered or that a delivery attempt was made. Delivery status can be retrieved in three ways:
- Online at www.usps.com by entering the certified mail extra service number shown on the mailing receipt
- By telephone using the item's extra service number
- By bulk electronic file transfer for mailers who provide an electronic manifest to the USPS
- Can be purchased alone or combined with other services:
- Certified Mail Restricted Delivery - Customers may direct delivery of Certified Mail only to the addressee (or addressee's authorized agent)
- Certified Mail Adult Signature Required - Customers may direct delivery of Certified Mail only to an adult (individual who is 21 years of age or older, not available at retail)
- Certified Mail Adult Signature Restricted Delivery - Customers may limit delivery of Certified Mail only to a specific addressee or authorized agent who is 21 years of age or older (not available at retail)
Additional Information
- Mailers must enter the name and complete address of the person or firm to whom the mail is addressed on the PS Form 3800. For complete instructions see the DMM 500.3.2.1.
- Certified Mail® items travel at the speed of the mail class with which they are purchased
- Delivery information is available for items destined to APO / FPO / DPO locations
- Certified Mail items may be sent to U.S. possessions and territories
- You may not purchase additional Insurance as an extra service if Certified Mail service is selected for your item. However, you can add Certified Mail service to a mail class that includes insurance as a feature, such as Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail.
- Example: Priority Mail items with included insurance (up to $100) maintain that insurance coverage with Certified Mail
- Certified Mail will be held at the Post Office™ for 15 days and will be returned to sender on the 16th day.
- Certified Mail is not available with International mail but may be mailed to APO (Army Post Office), FPO (Fleet Post Office), and DPO (Diplomatic Post office) locations
- Electronic Return Receipt is not available to APO/FPO/DPO locations, certain U.S. Territories or possessions or Freely Associated States
Classes of mail eligible for Certified Mail
- Priority Mail®
- First-Class Mail®
Refund Eligibility
Certified Mail® is eligible for a refund of the service fee, excluding the postage, if
- The mailing receipt and electronic verification have not been received after 30 days, but you know your mailpiece has been delivered.
- Non-delivery when USPS is at fault
- You were incorrectly charged postage or fees
- Paid services were not provided
You can request a refund:
- 30 to 60 days after the mailing date.
- Online at https://www.usps.com/help/refunds.htm
- At your local Post Office by:
- Submitting the request at the local Post Office using PS Form 3533, Application and Voucher for Refund of Postage and Fees
- Providing evidence of mailing and postage
Refunds are at the discretion of the local Post Office™. There is no refund for Certified Mail service if the item is undeliverable, but a delivery was attempted.
Fees
For information on fees, please see Notice 123 or Add Insurance & Extra Services.
