If you have an important, confidential, or legal document you wish to send to someone safely, you can take advantage of the United States Postal Service (USPS) certified mail service. This special mail delivery service is extensively used by customers throughout the country.
What Is Certified Mail?
One of the most sought-after USPS services is certified mail, which provides an electronic confirmation or paper mail receipt once an item has been delivered. For a minimal additional fee, you can be assured the letter was received by the right person. The certified mail fee currently costs USD$3.75. This is to be paid on top of regular postage.
The USPS certified mail service applies only to first-class mail items, priority mail service, and first-class package service-commercial. You cannot send international mail, media mail, priority mail express, bound printed matter, library mail, and USPS retail ground, or standard post via this service.
With a variety of mail service options available through USPS, why do you need to choose certified mail over the other delivery methods? What type of security does it provide? Is it faster than other mail services? Keep all these questions in mind as you go through the reasons why USPS certified mail cost is worth every penny.
1. Security of Important Documents
Sending important documents can be bothersome for many people. They’re worried about the documents getting lost in the mail, which could compromise their legal, business, or government transactions. Are you one of the many mailers who have the same concern? If so, then you might want to consider using USPS certified mail.
Using the USPS certified mail service ensures that important documents will reach their intended destination safely. Mailers use certified mail to get proof or evidence that a mail piece or item was received by the addressee.
USPS also keeps a record of delivery at the post office, which includes the recipient’s signature. The record is kept until two years from the mailing date. Hence, the cost of sending certified mail is worth every penny. But what types of documents can you send through this service?
Sensitive documents typically sent using USPS certified mail service include the following:
- Bank documents
- Business documents
- Tax returns
- Legal documents
- Time-sensitive communications with creditors or debtors
2. Proof Of Delivery Or Delivery Attempts
Whether you’re sending tax returns, court documents, or other important papers, obtaining proof of delivery is crucial. As mentioned, when the confidential document you’ve sent has reached its destination or there’s been an attempt to deliver it, the USPS provides you an electronic verification or mailing receipt.
The return mailing receipt shows the signature and address of the intended recipient of the mail or package. It also includes the delivery date and time. You can pay for the return receipt when you mail the package.
You can also obtain the mailing receipt or electronic verification through the following ways:
- Checking The USPS Website: Enter the USPS tracking number on the website of the mail service company to get the e-verification.
- Call USPS: You may also obtain the e-verification by calling the USPS number at 1-800-222-1811.
- Bulk Electronic File Transfer: You may also use the bulk electronic file transfer to verify the delivery or delivery attempts. The bulk electronic file transfer e-verification is for senders who can provide an electronic manifest to the USPS.
3. Peace Of Mind
Certified mail service is more secure than regular delivery methods. You have peace of mind that the document or package you’ll be sending won’t be left on the doorstep when there’s no one home to sign for it. Instead, the package will be brought to a postage facility and you’ll be notified via electronic verification concerning the delivery attempt.
Mail or packages you send via certified mail service will arrive at the same time as priority mail or first-class mail. Certified mail delivery time can take 3 to 10 working days if you send the mail or package via first-class mail delivery. Upgrading to priority delivery service will hasten delivery time to 2 to 3 working days.
4. Flexibility
Did you know that there are two options for sending certified mail? You may opt to visit the post office near you or go online. Here are the steps when sending important documents online using USPS certified mail service:
- Create An Account: Many online businesses usually offer mail delivery or certified letter delivery service. But you have to check that the service provider you’ve chosen provides USPS tracking. This allows you to track all mailed letters the day after mailing. Also, make sure that the service provider shows you the USPS proof of delivery and the mailing proof.
- Prepare The Letter: Once you’ve chosen the online service, prepare the letter that you plan to send. Do you know how to create a certified letter? Use any word processing application to write the letter. Electronically sign the letter as necessary.
- Scan And Upload: Once you’ve created the letter, it’s time to scan and upload it online. Use a scanning machine to upload the letter on the website of the service provider you’re using.
5. Refund For Late Verification
A refund is awarded at the discretion of the post office. You can get a service fee refund with certified mail if you haven’t received the electronic verification and mailing receipt after 30 days. However, the refund excludes the postage. You may request a service fee refund through the following ways:
- Visit the USPS website
- Go to your local post office and submit the request in duplicate using the refund form (PS Form 3533). You need to provide proof of mailing and postage. However, there’s no refund for undeliverable items with attempted delivery.
Conclusion
The certified mail service is highly recommended if you regularly send out important or sensitive documents. Compared to other delivery methods, certified mail cost isn’t as expensive. Its best feature, however, is proof of delivery, which gives you peace of mind the document you mail will be delivered to the right person.
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