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How is Return Receipt used?
Return Receipt provides the sender with proof of delivery (the recipient's signature along with information about the delivery address, if different, and date of and time of delivery).
- A Return Receipt may be purchased at the time of mailing. A mailer can no longer purchase a Return Receipt After Mailing, but can request information from the delivery record if the previously purchased Return Receipt did not arrive.
- A mailer purchasing return receipt service may choose to receive the return receipt by mail (by use of PS Form 3811) or email (by Electronic Return Receipt?).
- Proof of delivery includes the following information:
- Date of Delivery.
- Signature of Recipient (or Recipient's Authorized Agent).
- Information about the recipient's actual delivery address, if different.
- If provided by email, the Return Receipt includes a link to the USPS Tracking® prepopulated with tracking/delivery information on the mail item.
- If the correct fees, postage, and form are affixed, a mailpiece with Return Receipt may be mailed from the home, office, or dropped in a Collection Box receptacle. Aviation Mail Security restrictions apply.
- PS Form 3811, Domestic Return Receipt, includes a barcode and Related Tracking Number for tracking of the proof of delivery as it is being sent to the mailer after delivery of the mailpiece.
What does a Return Receipt (Green Card) look like?
The hardcopy PS Form 3811, Domestic Return Receipt (seen below), or any USPS-approved copy includes a barcode with a Tracking Number. This Tracking Number is not to track the mailpiece sent by the mailer. Entering this Related Tracking Number into USPS Tracking provides tracking information on the hardcopy Return Receipt itself as it is being mailed to the original mailer who requested this service.
NOTE: A Return Receipt cannot be viewed online.
Image of the front of PS Form 3811, Domestic Return Receipt:
Image of the back of PS Form 3811, Domestic Return Receipt:
How much does a Return Receipt cost?
For detailed information on fees, go to Notice 123 or " Insurance & Extra Services."
What domestic mail classes can be used with Return Receipt?
Return Receipt service (PS Form 3811) is available for:
- Priority Mail Express® (Form 3811 only)
- Priority Mail®, First-Class Mail®, USPS Ground Advantage™-Commercial™, and Parcel Select (if purchased with Certified Mail, Collect on Delivery (COD), Insurance over $500, or Registered Mail®)
- USPS Marketing Mail™ (parcels only, excluding Marketing Parcels; if purchased with Bulk Insurance over $500)
- Parcel Select Lightweight (if purchased with Bulk Insurance over $500)
- Bound Printed Matter, Library Mail, Media Mail (if purchased with Collect on Delivery or Insurance over $500)
What International mail classes can be used with Return Receipt/How are they used?
- First-Class Mail International:
- For First-Class Mail International items, return receipt service is available for
purchase only for items that use Registered Mail service to certain
destinations — see the Individual Country Listings for availability.
- PS Form 2865, Return Receipt for International Mail (Avis de Reception), is a pink card that is attached to a First-Class Mail International item when used in conjunction with international Registered Mail service at the time of mailing and that is removed and signed at the point of delivery and returned to the sender.
- Return receipts are completed in the country of destination in accordance with its internal regulations, which may not require the addressee’s signature except under special circumstances. These receipts are returned to the sender by airmail.
The following extra services can be combined with Return Receipt service (PS Form 3811)
- Certified Mail
- Certified Mail Restricted Delivery
- Certified Mail Adult Signature Required
- Certified Mail Adult Signature Restricted Delivery
- Restricted Delivery
- Collect on Delivery
- Collect on Delivery Restricted Delivery
- Registered Mail
- Registered Mail Restricted Delivery
- USPS Tracking
- Signature Confirmation Restricted Delivery (Form 3811 only)
- Signature Confirmation (Form 3811 only)
- Insurance (when insured for more than $500, Form 3811 only)
- Adult Signature Requested (Form 3811 only)
- Adult Signature Restricted Delivery (Form 3811 only) (Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail only
After Mailing an Item, Can I Request a Return Receipt?
Mailing an item and then purchasing a Return Receipt is not an option. You can purchase a Return Receipt at the time of mailing and receive a Return Receipt with delivery information either in the mail or by email.
If you did purchase a Return Receipt service, but have not received the Return Receipt from the item's delivery, you can still request information from the delivery record within 90 days of the date of purchasing Return Receipt. You must visit any Post Office, station or branch, complete PS Form 3811-A, Request for Delivery Information/Return Receipt and produce your receipt showing that the applicable return receipt fee was paid. This must be done within 90 days of the date of purchase.
Is Return Receipt Eligible for a Refund?
It may be eligible under certain conditions.
Mailers can use USPS Tracking® to check the status of the delivery record after delivery of a mailpiece with a hardcopy Return Receipt.
Return Receipt fees are refunded only if the USPS® fails to provide the recipient's signature (if not otherwise refused, unclaimed, or returned to sender). Visit www.usps.com/help or your origin Post Office™ to request a refund, not less than 30 days, or more than 60 days from the date of mailing.
If you have purchased a Return Receipt at a retail Post Office™ location and have not received the return receipt (or receive an incomplete receipt), you may request a refund or replacement record either:
- After 30 calendar days from date of mailing.
- Any time after you know the item has been delivered.
The applicable fee is not charged at retail if the sender can produce their receipt showing the return receipt fee was paid.
If you have purchased an electronic Return Receipt and have not received your electronic return receipt via email within 3-5 days of your request, we suggest you visit USPS.com® and check the delivery status of your item.
- If you discover that your item has been delivered, we suggest that you check your email or junk folder. Occasionally email that is not junk will be sent to the folder if it does not meet your criteria for acceptable email.
- As a final alternative, we suggest that you request your electronic Return Receipt again. To do this, enter the tracking number in USPS Tracking®, select "Return Receipt Electronic" under "Available Actions", and provide your email address.
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