Q&A for How to Mail a Letter

You should put it there before the day's mail is delivered, and be sure to put the "flag" up. This way the carrier will know that you have outgoing mail and stop to pick it up even if s/he doesn't have mail for you.

No. In most countries, regular sized letters/postcards cost a minimal fee to mail; this fee is represented by a postage stamp, which you can purchase from your local post office. Stamp prices can vary, but if you are sending a domestic letter that weighs under one ounce (this applies to the U.S. only), a letter only requires one stamp to send.

International mail usually takes a week or longer to be delivered.

You will be unable to send the letter unless you buy stamps. Stamps are like a fee for sending the letter. If you send the letter without paying, it will not be sent.

It depends on the weight of the letter and where you are sending it to. Usually, a regular postage stamp will be enough, but if the letter is heavier than usual, or is going to another country, then you will most likely need to buy extra postage.

Forever stamps cost whatever a regular first-class stamp costs at the time of purchase.

It costs money for mail to be delivered, and stamps are how you pay shipping fees, basically.

Typically two or three days, not counting Sundays or holidays.

It's your choice. If you're sending it from your friend's mailbox because you don't have one, then you should use your friend's address.

In the U.S., use regular U.S. postage at international rates (i.e., put enough stamps to cover the rate). Or you can just go to the post office and have them calculate/apply the exact postage for you.

Registered mail is good for sending anything quite valuable. If you're simply interested in knowing for sure that what you send is actually delivered, there are cheaper ways of doing that. "Certified" mail will accomplish that goal. But the cheapest way is to request a "return receipt." Just ask the postal clerk to send your item "return receipt requested." Once the item is delivered, you will receive a receipt signed by the recipient.

No. The price of postage is based solely on weight, not if the envelope is sealed or unsealed. It is highly recommended that you seal your envelope. If you leave it unsealed, the letter could fall out, or someone could take it out and read it.

Ask your apartment manager.

No. No one sees the date on the letter except the recipient.

Phone or e-mail your friend to get the address. It's not likely to be delivered without the right address (unless your friend lives in a very small town).

Adding extra stamps will diminish the chance that your mail would be returned to you because of insufficient postage.

That is always a risk. If you're worried about it, take it to the post office, and mail it there.

The USPS sells "Global Forever" Stamps which cost $1.20 as of 2020. This stamp will cover the postage for one first class letter up to 1 ounce to any international destination, even though the actual calculated postage may be higher. Just like any "Forever" stamp, if the price of postage goes up in the future, the stamp remains 100% valid for the same service. A Global Forever stamp bought today for $1.20 will still be sufficient postage for a 1 oz. first class letter 10 or 20 years from now.

It depends, but the current rate can be found online at USPS.com. In 2020, the rate is 55 cents per letter.

You have to obtain a stamp somehow or you can't mail your letter. Ask an adult if they have any stamps or if they could buy some. You can also go to the post office and pay for postage for the letter there. It's around 55 cents.

This is a slightly complicated question. It depends on the size and weight of the package, the class of service you want to pay for, and (in some cases) the distance the package must travel. Your best bet is to show the package to a postal clerk and tell him/her what service you want. S/he can then tell you how much the postage will be and how soon the package will be delivered.

Yes, you may. However, in the U.S. you may avoid postage by forwarding any unopened, first-class mail anywhere at any time. It's free. Just cross out the old address and put the new address on the envelope. Better yet, file a change-of-address form with the Postal Service on your son's behalf, and any first-class mail for him will be forwarded to his new address without your even seeing it.

Rates can be found on the USPS website. As of 11/17, the price starts from $11.70.

As of 2020, first-class U.S. postage was 55¢ for a one-ounce letter. (Most personal and business letters weigh no more than an ounce.) You can buy "forever" stamps, which will remain sufficient in the future even if postage rates rise.

Yes.

You only need a First Class International stamp. As of 2020, this stamp costs $1.20.

You have three options: (1) Put your mail in that mailbox, and hope your carrier will see it. There's a good chance s/he will. (2) Use some other mailbox that has a flag. (3) Take the mail to the nearest post office, and send it from there.

First-class stamps are normal stamps. All personal, domestic mail uses first-class postage.

It depends; however, First Class mail generally delivers within 3 business days. If you need it faster, consider using Priority Mail.

It depends on the day you send it, where the person lives, how far the letter has to go, and how much mail there is to deliver.