Certified mail
How does certified mail work and what proof do you get?
Updated · By the SendMyLettersOnline team
USPS Certified Mail is an extra service added to First-Class Mail or Priority Mail that gives you a mailing receipt with a unique tracking number and creates a delivery record, because the recipient (or their agent) must sign when it is delivered. If you also buy a Return Receipt, USPS sends you the signature and delivery date, either on the green card (PS Form 3811) or as an emailed PDF (electronic return receipt).
Certified Mail proves that you sent something and that it was delivered or attempted. It does not prove what was inside the envelope, so keep a copy of the exact letter you sent.
| Option | Proof of mailing | Tracking | Signature at delivery | You receive the signature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class Mail | No (unless you add a Certificate of Mailing) | No | No | No |
| Certified Mail | Yes, postmarked receipt | Yes | Yes, kept by USPS | No, only via a return receipt |
| Certified Mail + Return Receipt (green card, PS Form 3811) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, signed card mailed back to you |
| Certified Mail + Electronic Return Receipt | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, PDF by email |
| Registered Mail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Only with a return receipt; adds chain of custody and insurance |
What happens when you send Certified Mail
- The letter gets a Certified Mail label (PS Form 3800) with a unique article number, and you get a receipt showing the date it entered the mail.
- It travels as First-Class Mail (or Priority Mail if you paid for that) and is scanned along the way, so anyone with the number can check status on USPS Tracking.
- At delivery the carrier collects a signature. If nobody is available, USPS leaves a notice and holds the letter at the post office for pickup for a limited time, then returns it to the sender if unclaimed.
- If you bought a Return Receipt, the signature, printed name and delivery date come back to you.
What a return receipt proves (and what it does not)
A return receipt shows who signed, when, and the delivery address. That is why leases, contracts and some statutes ask for certified mail "return receipt requested": it is evidence the notice reached the other side on a specific date.
It does not prove the contents of the envelope or that the person who signed is the person you addressed it to. Restricted Delivery is a separate add-on that limits delivery to the addressee or their authorized agent.
Certified Mail limits to know
- Domestic only: it is available for mail to US addresses, including APO/FPO/DPO.
- No insurance is included. For valuables, Registered Mail or Priority Mail with insurance is the USPS option.
- It is not faster than regular First-Class Mail; it adds proof, not speed.
- Prices change, usually once or twice a year. Check the current Certified Mail and Return Receipt fees on the USPS price list.
Quick answers
Is online certified mail legally the same as post office certified mail?
Yes, when the letter is mailed with a genuine USPS Certified Mail label. It is the same USPS service whether you buy it at the counter or a mailer buys it for you; the USPS tracking number and delivery record are identical. See is online certified mail legal.
How do I get a return receipt for certified mail online?
Choose the electronic return receipt option. Instead of a green card coming back by mail, USPS emails a PDF with the signature and delivery details. Our Certified + return receipt option includes it.
What is the difference between certified mail and registered mail?
Certified Mail gives proof of mailing and delivery. Registered Mail adds a documented chain of custody and optional insurance, and is slower. Most legal notices only need Certified Mail. See certified vs registered mail.
How much does certified mail cost in 2026?
USPS sets the fee and changes it periodically, so check the current amount on the USPS price list. With us, a printed and mailed Certified letter is $14.99 all-in, or $17.99 with an electronic return receipt.
What to do next
Type or upload your letter, pick Certified Mail with return receipt, and we print it, mail it and email you the tracking number and the signed receipt.
Send a certified letterSources
- USPS: Insurance & Extra Services (Certified Mail, Return Receipt)
- USPS Domestic Mail Manual 503: Extra Services
- USPS Notice 123: current prices
- USPS Tracking
Checked: . General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change: confirm current values at the official links above.