What does certified mail do

Certified Mail is a type of mail service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that provides proof of mailing and delivery. Here are some of the key benefits and features of Certified Mail:

  1. Proof of Mailing: When you use Certified Mail, you receive a receipt with a unique tracking number, which serves as proof that you mailed the item on a specific date and time.
  2. Proof of Delivery: The recipient signs for the item, and the USPS provides a delivery confirmation, which serves as proof that the item was delivered to the correct address.
  3. Tracking: Certified Mail items are tracked by the USPS, which allows you to monitor the status of your mailpiece online.
  4. Return Receipt: You can request a return receipt, which is a signed receipt from the recipient that is returned to you, providing proof of delivery.
  5. Insurance: Certified Mail provides up to $5,000 in insurance coverage against loss or damage.
  6. Legal Proof: Certified Mail is often used in legal proceedings, as it provides a paper trail that can be used as evidence in court.

Certified Mail is commonly used for:

  1. Legal documents: Certified Mail is often used to send important legal documents, such as court papers, divorce papers, and eviction notices.
  2. Business communications: Certified Mail is used by businesses to send important documents, such as invoices, contracts, and notices.
  3. Package delivery: Certified Mail is used to send packages that require proof of delivery, such as valuable items or items that need to be tracked.
  4. Government communications: Certified Mail is used by government agencies to send important documents, such as tax notices, benefit notices, and other official communications.

To use Certified Mail, you'll need to:

  1. Take your mailpiece to a post office or use a self-service kiosk.
  2. Request Certified Mail service and pay the applicable fee (currently $3.95 for a domestic letter-sized item).
  3. Fill out the Certified Mail form and attach it to your mailpiece.
  4. Give the mailpiece to the postal clerk or deposit it in the self-service kiosk.

Remember to keep a copy of the Certified Mail receipt and tracking number for your records.