What is 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 certificate of mailing, 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 (e.g., court papers, divorce papers)
- Financial documents (e.g., tax returns, loan documents)
- Medical records
- Business documents (e.g., contracts, invoices)
- Packages with high value or sentimental value
To use Certified Mail, you'll need to:
- Take your package to a post office or mail carrier.
- Ask the postal worker to prepare your package for Certified Mail.
- Pay the additional fee for Certified Mail (currently $3.95 for a 1-ounce letter).
- Sign the receipt or certificate of mailing to confirm that you're the sender.
Once the package is mailed, you'll receive a tracking number and a receipt or certificate of mailing. You can use this information to track the package's progress and verify delivery.
Keep in mind that Certified Mail is not the same as Registered Mail, which provides additional security features, such as a tamper-evident seal and a signature upon delivery.