Certified mail vs registered mail

Certified Mail and Registered Mail are both services offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to provide additional security and tracking for mail and packages. While they share some similarities, there are key differences between the two services.

Certified Mail

Certified Mail is a service that provides proof of mailing and delivery. When you use Certified Mail, the USPS will:

1. Provide a receipt to the sender, which serves as proof of mailing.
2. Track the package and provide a delivery confirmation.
3. Require the recipient to sign for the package upon delivery.

Certified Mail is typically used for documents and packages that require proof of delivery, such as:

• Legal documents
• Tax returns
• Insurance claims
• Medical records

Registered Mail

Registered Mail is a more secure service that provides additional protection for valuable or sensitive items. When you use Registered Mail, the USPS will:

1. Provide a receipt to the sender, which serves as proof of mailing.
2. Track the package and provide a delivery confirmation.
3. Require the recipient to sign for the package upon delivery.
4. Provide additional security features, such as:
   • A unique tracking number
   • A tamper-evident seal
   • A signature required upon delivery

Registered Mail is typically used for high-value or sensitive items, such as:

• Jewelry
• Electronics
• Cash or checks
• Confidential documents

Key differences

Here are the main differences between Certified Mail and Registered Mail:

1. Security features: Registered Mail provides additional security features, such as a tamper-evident seal and a unique tracking number, which are not available with Certified Mail.
2. Value protection: Registered Mail is designed to protect high-value or sensitive items, while Certified Mail is more suitable for documents and packages that require proof of delivery.
3. Cost: Registered Mail is generally more expensive than Certified Mail, due to the additional security features and tracking.

In summary, if you need to send a document or package that requires proof of delivery, Certified Mail may be sufficient. However, if you need to send a high-value or sensitive item that requires additional security and tracking, Registered Mail may be a better option.