If you’ve ever purchased postage from the USPS website or at your local post office, you’ve probably seen an option for Certified Mail and may wonder what that’s for.

Good question!

Sure, it’s true we communicate digitally more often than we send letters these days. But there are still times we have to physically mail important documents.

Sometimes, those documents may have private information we can’t risk getting in the wrong hands. That’s where using Certified Mail can give you some extra peace of mind and security.

So, how does Certified Mail work, and why send Certified Mail? Well, read on to learn how it works, how much it costs, and which four benefits it offers.

How Does Certified Mail Work?

Offered for regular USPS mail, Certified Mail is an add-on service that gives you proof of mailing and delivery for your letters and packages.

It’s often used to mail important or sensitive documents since it provides a more secure form of delivery. You can use the option anytime you send a First Class or Priority Mail package.

When you send your package with Certified Mail, you receive a paper or electronic receipt. This shows your information as a sender and includes the information you need for Certified Mail tracking through the delivery.

While you will receive proof of delivery either way online, you can pay for additional add-ons that give you a return receipt or restrict delivery.

The return receipt will show you the receiver’s signature in electronic or paper form and serves as proof of a successful Certified Mail delivery. Restricted delivery requires the post office worker to deliver your item to the person addressed or another person you authorize.

Why Send Certified Mail?

If you’re wondering why you’d send Certified Mail, there are four main benefits the service offers.

Of course, one of the top benefits of using Certified Mail is that you have proof your package was mailed and properly delivered.

While you might need this for a simple letter to your friend, it comes in handy when you send financial and legal documents with private information. The secure delivery even helps protect your package from theft since it’s not likely to get in the wrong hands!

Another reason why you’d send Certified Mail is to have detailed tracking.

While a letter you mail with a stamp has no tracking option, you can give it one if you use Certified Mail. The tracking number you receive makes it easy to view the package’s process on the USPS website and even receive text or email alerts as it travels.

While it may be surprising due to the extra security, Certified Mail can sometimes arrive faster than mail without the service.

The post office may prioritize your mail if it has the Certified Mail sticker, meaning it may take two days instead of three. However, do note that failed delivery attempts can stall the process!

Finally, Certified Mail can save you money versus other secure mail services and is easy to obtain as well.

You can use regular First Class or Priority Mail and pay a small fee to make your mail certified. Plus, purchasing Certified Mail is as simple as going to your local post office or buying it through a mailing site like Stamps.com!

How Much Does Certified Mail Cost?

Surprisingly, Certified Mail rates can be quite affordable. Of course, you’ll pay more if you want a return receipt and/or restricted delivery.

First, the USPS charges you a base Certified Mail fee of $3.50 and an electronic delivery confirmation fee of $0.80. If you want a return receipt, you’ll pay $1.60 for an electronic one or $2.80 for a paper one mailed to you. Restricted delivery comes at a higher cost of $5.20.

Of course, you’ll still also have to pay your regular mailing rate depending on the mailing speed you choose.

That is calculated by weight, location, and speed of delivery. The great news is that you can use the USPS Postage Price Calculator to easily determine your mailing cost.

How Do I Certify Mail?

So you might be now wondering how to certify mail.

The good news is that it’s as simple as requesting the service at the time of mailing and filling out one or two USPS forms: USPS form 3800 for Certified Mail and USPS form 3811 for a physical return receipt.

If you visit your local post office, you will hand your package to the post office worker and tell them you want to add Certified Mail and any of the additional services like return receipt or restricted delivery.

You’ll pay for the mailing fees, and the worker will help you fill out the necessary documents for Certified Mail and other add-ons you chose.

While the USPS website doesn’t let you purchase a label for Certified Mail, you can do the process online if you use a third-party mail service.

However, you’ll need to already have physical copies of the USPS forms obtained from your post office for this option. The exception is if your online mailing service offers special Certified Mail envelopes and labels.

Even if you buy Certified Mail online, though, do know that you’ll still have to present the mail personally to a post office worker.

So, Should I Use Certified Mail?

We’ve answered the question of “how does Certified Mail work?” So now it’s time to decide if it makes sense for what you’re mailing.

If you’re mailing anything sensitive and don’t mind paying the extra cost, the benefits of Certified Mail tracking and security can be well worth it.

While the cost can get higher for restricting delivery or receiving a mailed return receipt, you can keep your costs low by sticking with electronic confirmation alone.

When you’re mailing something unimportant and don’t feel like the hassles of handling forms and paying extra are worth it, then Certified Mail might not be the right choice. You’ll likely still find it useful in the future, though!

Are you interested in some more useful tips? Be sure to check out our blog!