Q&A for How to Send Certified Mail (USA)

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Do I have to be present at a post office to send certified mail?
    Community Answer
    If you mean you personally (as opposed to another person), then no. Only registered mail has to actually be sent from the PO counter. If you affix the proper forms and amount of postage, you can have a carrier pick up certified mail or use a mail box.
  • Question
    Which name goes on the receipt, mine or the person I am mailing it to?
    Community Answer
    On the green and white "Certified Mail Receipt", write the name of the person you are mailing the parcel to. Their address should be entered at the bottom.
  • Question
    Can I send certified mail from any country besides the U.S.?
    Community Answer
    That depends on the individual country that you are in. When in the U.S., you cannot send Certified Mail to foreign addresses. Certified Mail can only be sent to addresses in the United States and its territories, in addition to FPOs and APOs.
  • Question
    Can I mail a certified letter in a mail box instead of the post office?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it cannot be sent through your own mailbox. It has to be sent through one of the big boxes you would see on the street.
  • Question
    Can certified mail be sent to a post office address?
    Community Answer
    If you mean a PO Box, yes. You will get a peach-colored slip in your mail box, and you will have to go to the window to pick up your certified mail. This is because you need to sign for it.
  • Question
    If the certified mail is returned to sender as not deliverable, should the sender sign the green card?
    Community Answer
    No, the sender should not sign it. The fact that it was returned as undeliverable with the unsigned green card intact is proof that you tried to send it.
  • Question
    Can someone refuse to accept a letter and not sign for certified mail?
    Community Answer
    Yes, there is no legal requirement to accept certified mail.
  • Question
    Can someone hand write "certified mail" on an unsealed envelope and stick in your door?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but that doesn't make it certified mail. Certification is an extra service you have to pay for.
  • Question
    Can anyone at the mailing address sign for certified mail?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as it is only required that the person whose name is on the package sign for it if the letter was sent by restricted certified mail.
  • Question
    Can I just write "priority mail" on the envelope if I am just sending a simple birthday card?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but that doesn't really make it priority mail. Priority is an extra service you have to pay for.
  • Question
    Can certified mail go to a P.O. Box?
    Community Answer
    When certified mail arrives at the delivery post office, the letter carrier will place a delivery notification inside the P.O. box that instructs the addressee to present the delivery slip to the window clerk in order to receive the mailpiece.
  • Question
    Is there a weight limit to send something certified mail?
    Community Answer
    No, but you will pay for the weight. Your items are weighted before you pay for postage.
  • Question
    How do I see if a letter has been received?
    Community Answer
    Go to the USPS website. You have to track the package using the numbers under the bar codes.
  • Question
    What will happen to my mail if I forgot to pay for certified mail but attached the sticker for it?
    Community Answer
    It will be returned to you with a stamped message on it and a label informing you that the letter requires more postage.
  • Question
    Are Step 3 additional services needed for certified mail?
    Community Answer
    No. Additional services offered are options such as having the recipient sign for the the delivered item. This is not required and is simply an additional service that can be purchased.
  • Question
    What is the price to add restricted delivery to certified mail?
    Community Answer
    Purchase it at a Post Office depending on the mail class chosen. Your ID may be requested for the addressee or the person authorized to sign for and receive your item. Cost: Certified Mail Restricted Delivery $8.25 COD Restricted Delivery $4.95 Insured Mail Restricted Delivery $4.95 Registered Mail Restricted Delivery $4.95 Signature Confirmation Restricted Delivery $7.30 (electronic) / $7.85 (retail)
  • Question
    Do I need my ID to send a certified mail with return receipt?
    Community Answer
    No. Certified mail can be sent from your home or office without identification (within the U.S.).
  • Question
    Can I use the automated machine to send certified mail?
    Community Answer
    Yes, many post offices are equipped with "kiosk service" where you can do it yourself and even print appropriate postage. However, if something goes awry, you can only prove you merely bought postage -- not that your mail ever physically entered the system! For certified mail, I definitely recommend counter service where you can get a postmarked receipt.
  • Question
    Do I have to do this at the post office?
    Community Answer
    No. You can print postage using Stamps.com or any other USPS approved postage printer. Then complete the certified sticker and green card, affix to the envelope and send as outgoing mail.
  • Question
    What happens if I pay for a return receipt and never receive it?
    Community Answer
    If the item was delivered and scanned as such, you can get a refund for the return receipt portion, since a service that you paid for was not provided.
  • Question
    What if I forgot to check off box 3 indicating certified mail?
    Community Answer
    Since the return receipt can be used for other sorts of mail, checking that box off on the green card is really more of a formality. That card is the return receipt, and it's just something that gets mailed back to you. You'd have the tracking number from a certified mail barcode if you weren't sure what mailing method you used.
  • Question
    If I am sending something by certified mail, no return receipt necessary, do I still attach a green card?
    Community Answer
    You can, however it isn't necessary if you do not need a return receipt, and would be a waste of money.
  • Question
    Why was the green card was returned to me unsigned?
    Community Answer
    That likely means that the package or envelope couldn't be delivered, so it was returned to the sender (you).
  • Question
    Can I send overnight certified mail?
    Community Answer
    Anything overnight would be Priority Mail Express. You can combine certified with priority in general, but since there's an option requiring a signature for PME anyhow, the only functional difference would be the return receipt if you went for that option.
  • Question
    Can I mail a letter with proof of delivery but not have to be signed for?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but not as Certified Mail. You will have to use Priority Mail, which includes tracking but does not require a signature.
  • Question
    Can I send money through certified mail?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. Be advised, however, that certified mail does not have insurance.
  • Question
    Can I send certified through my office machine?
    Community Answer
    You can if you have a postage machine with that option. You will need to select the appropriate postage so that the correct postage prints out, or the item will be returned to you because of insufficient postage. You will also need the certified mail labels, which you can have sent to you through the USPS website at no charge.
  • Question
    What if the person I am sending the mail to is not at home?
    Community Answer
    If no one is available at the delivery address to sign for the letter or package, the mail carrier leaves an attempted delivery card with a confirmation number and the sender's name.
  • Question
    What can I do if someone does not accept the receipt of certified mail?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Nothing. No one is required to accept any type of mail.
  • Question
    What documents will I receive when I send a package by certified mail with a return receipt?
    Community Answer
    You will receive back the green card, which is your return receipt that you paid to have sent back. It should be signed by the person who received your mail, with a date and that person's printed name.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article