What is a certified mail
Certified Mail is a type of mail service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that provides proof of mailing and delivery. When you send a letter or package using Certified Mail, the USPS will:
- Track the package: The USPS will track the package and provide a tracking number, which can be used to monitor the package's progress.
- Provide proof of mailing: The USPS will provide a receipt or a certified mail receipt, which serves as proof that the package was mailed on a specific date and time.
- Provide proof of delivery: The USPS will also provide a signature upon delivery, which serves as proof that the package was delivered to the intended recipient.
Certified Mail is often used for important documents, such as:
- Legal documents
- Financial transactions
- Medical records
- Tax returns
- Business communications
The benefits of using Certified Mail include:
- Proof of mailing and delivery: Certified Mail provides a paper trail that can be used to resolve disputes or prove that a package was sent and received.
- Tracking and monitoring: The tracking number allows you to monitor the package's progress and receive updates on its delivery status.
- Security: Certified Mail is more secure than regular mail, as it requires a signature upon delivery and provides a paper trail.
There are different types of Certified Mail services, including:
- Certified Mail: This is the basic service, which provides proof of mailing and delivery.
- Certified Mail Return Receipt: This service provides a return receipt, which is signed by the recipient and returned to the sender.
- Certified Mail Restricted Delivery: This service requires the recipient to sign for the package and provides additional security features.
The cost of Certified Mail varies depending on the type of service and the weight and size of the package. On average, the cost of Certified Mail is around $3 to $5 per package.