Registered vs. certified mail

Registered Mail and Certified Mail are two types of mail services offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that provide proof of mailing and delivery. While they share some similarities, there are key differences between the two:

Registered Mail:

1. Proof of Mailing: Registered Mail provides a receipt that serves as proof of mailing, which is signed by the sender.
2. Tracking: Registered Mail is tracked by the USPS, and the recipient must sign for the package upon delivery.
3. Insurance: Registered Mail offers insurance coverage up to $5,000 for loss or damage.
4. Fees: The cost of Registered Mail is higher than Certified Mail, with a base fee of $13.75 for a domestic letter and $24.75 for a domestic package.

Certified Mail:

1. Proof of Mailing: Certified Mail provides a receipt that serves as proof of mailing, which is signed by the sender.
2. Tracking: Certified Mail is tracked by the USPS, but the recipient does not need to sign for the package upon delivery.
3. Return Receipt: Certified Mail offers a return receipt option, which requires the recipient to sign and return a receipt to the sender.
4. Fees: The cost of Certified Mail is lower than Registered Mail, with a base fee of $3.45 for a domestic letter and $6.95 for a domestic package.

Key differences:

• Insurance coverage: Registered Mail offers insurance coverage up to $5,000, while Certified Mail does not provide insurance coverage.
• Tracking: Both services are tracked by the USPS, but Registered Mail requires the recipient to sign for the package upon delivery, while Certified Mail does not.
• Fees: Registered Mail is more expensive than Certified Mail.

When to use each service:

• Use Registered Mail when:
  • You need to send a valuable or irreplaceable item.
  • You want to ensure that the recipient signs for the package upon delivery.
  • You need insurance coverage up to $5,000.
• Use Certified Mail when:
  • You need proof of mailing and tracking.
  • You want to send a package that is not particularly valuable or irreplaceable.
  • You want to use the return receipt option to verify delivery.

Ultimately, the choice between Registered Mail and Certified Mail depends on your specific needs and the value of the item being sent.