Certified Mail fee
$5.55
Added to eligible postage
USPS service guide
USPS Certified Mail: How It Works, Cost & Tracking
Certified Mail is a USPS extra service that provides a mailing receipt and, upon request, electronic verification of delivery or attempted delivery. USPS maintains a delivery record that includes the recipient's signature. The sender can obtain a copy of the delivery record by purchasing Return Receipt at the time of mailing.
Postmarkr sends First-Class letters online today. Certified Mail is coming soon. See how the letter workflow works.
Choose your next step
What do you need to know?
Learn the basics
What Certified Mail is and how the mailing process works.
Track a mailing
Find the tracking number and understand USPS status updates.
Check current costs
See postage, Certified Mail, and Return Receipt pricing.
Understand the proof
Separate the mailing receipt, tracking, and signature record.
Compare mail services
Decide when Certified or Registered Mail better fits the job.
Handle failed delivery
Learn what refused, unclaimed, and returned statuses mean.
The documentation trail
How Certified Mail documents a mailing
These records answer different questions. Certified Mail provides the first two; Return Receipt is the optional third layer.
- Record 1
Mailing receipt
Certified Mail provides the sender with a mailing receipt.
- Record 2
Delivery or attempt record
Upon request, USPS provides electronic verification of delivery or attempted delivery for Certified Mail.
- Record 3
Optional Return Receipt
The sender can obtain a copy of the delivery record by purchasing Return Receipt at the time of mailing.
Need the legal-context nuance? Read how to evaluate Certified Mail evidence. Legal sufficiency depends on the governing law, contract, or rule. USPS source: USPS DMM 503 (Certified Mail description) (opens in new tab).
Current fee snapshot
How much is Certified Mail?
The Certified Mail fee is added to postage. Return Receipt is optional; choose one only when you need a sender-facing copy of the signature record.
Electronic Return Receipt
$2.91
Optional signature copy
Mailed Return Receipt
$4.65
Optional hard-copy record
Registered Mail starts at
$20.90
Declared-value baseline; added to postage
Rates effective July 12, 2026. Source: USPS July 2026 Notice 123 price files (opens in new tab). Official references: USPS Notice 123 (opens in new tab) and USPS extra services (opens in new tab).
Quick comparison
Certified Mail vs. Registered Mail
Choose for documentation
Certified Mail
Certified Mail provides the sender with a mailing receipt. Upon request, USPS provides electronic verification of delivery or attempted delivery for Certified Mail. The fee is $5.55 in addition to postage.
Choose for declared value
Registered Mail
Registered Mail uses a declared-value fee schedule and separate handling rules. Fees start at $20.90 in addition to postage.
Neither service by itself determines whether a notice is legally sufficient. Compare more options in the Certified Mail alternatives guide.
Explore the topic
Certified Mail guides
How Does Certified Mail Work? The Life of a Letter
Certified Mail doesn't change how your letter travels — it builds a record around the trip. The whole system, stage by stage: what USPS writes down, who can sign, and what you can prove at each point.
Certified Mail Cost 2026: Fees & Return Receipt
Certified Mail cost in 2026: current USPS fees, Return Receipt options, and worked totals for a 1 oz letter.
Certified Mail Refused or Returned Unclaimed: What to Do Next
A returned Certified Mail envelope is evidence, not necessarily failure. Identify the USPS marking, preserve the record, and choose the right follow-up for your notice.
Certified Mail Alternatives: When Other Options Work Better
Compare certified mail to signature confirmation, certificate of mailing, and registered mail. Learn which USPS service fits your needs and budget.
Certified Mail Evidence: What Courts Accept as Proof
What courts accept as certified mail evidence. Federal rules of evidence, proof of mailing vs proof of delivery, and how to build admissible records.
How to Fill Out a Certified Mail Receipt (PS Form 3800)
Every field and checkbox on the green Certified Mail form — who fills what, what each costs as of July 12, 2026, and when you can skip the form entirely.
Can You Send Certified Mail to a PO Box?
Yes—USPS delivers certified mail to PO boxes. Most recipients get a pickup notice and sign at the counter, but Signature on File can change the pickup flow.
CertificateofService.com Review: Pricing & Ownership
CertificateofService.com has served 5,000+ law firms over 20 years. We found their actual pricing ($0.19/page), reviewed their features, and compared alternatives.
How to File a Certificate of Service: Step-by-Step Guide
A certificate of service records who was served with a legal document, how service was made, and when it occurred. Learn what to include and which mailing records to keep.
Electronic Certified Mail: What It Documents and Legal Caveats
What electronic certified mail means and what it documents and key legal caveats. Covers USPS Electronic Return Receipt, online mailing services, and court acceptance.
Electronic Return Receipt vs Green Card: Which to Choose
Compare USPS electronic return receipt and physical green card options for certified mail. Learn the cost difference, delivery times, and which works best.
Insurance Claim Letters: Certified Mail Documentation
Learn why certified mail is essential for insurance claims, bad faith cases, and preserving evidence with proper documentation and timing.
Breach of Contract Notice: Certified Mail Requirements
Learn breach of contract notice requirements, certified mail procedures, cure periods, and documentation best practices to preserve legal rights.
In-House vs Outsourced Certified Mail: Cost Analysis
True cost comparison of in-house certified mail vs outsourced services. Includes labor costs, supplies, time analysis, and ROI calculation framework.
Certified Mail Records: What to Save and For How Long
USPS tracking retention periods and what certified mail records to keep. Industry-specific requirements, digital storage options, and organization practices.
Demand Letter Certified Mail: Strengthen Your Legal Case
Why certified mail makes demand letters more effective. Covers state notice requirements, evidence preservation for litigation, and delivery documentation.
Termination Letter Certified Mail: HR Compliance Guide
When to use certified mail for termination letters. Complete guide to WARN Act, COBRA notifications, and state-specific requirements for HR professionals.
Certified Mail for HOA Violations: State Requirements
State-by-state HOA violation notice requirements for certified mail. Texas, California, Florida rules with timeline requirements and appeal procedures.
Certified Mail for Debt Collection: FDCPA Compliance
FDCPA and Regulation F requirements for certified mail in debt collection. Complete guide to validation notices, timing rules, and compliance best practices.
Is Certified Mail Enough for Legal Notice?
When certified mail is sufficient for legal notice vs when you need personal service. Avoid costly mistakes.
When Is Certified Mail Legally Required?
Know when certified mail is legally required vs recommended. Complete guide to IRS, employment, consumer protection, real estate, and state law requirements.
Certified Mail for IRS: Protect Your Filing Deadlines
Use certified mail to prove IRS filing dates under Section 7502. Essential for tax returns, appeals, and responses.
Certified Mail for Landlords: Legal Compliance Guide
When landlords should use certified mail: evictions, security deposits, lease notices. Protect yourself legally.
Certified Mail for Eviction Notices: State Requirements
State-by-state eviction notice requirements for certified mail. Learn when certified mail is legally required, optional, or insufficient for proper service.
How to Track Certified Mail (+ What Each Status Means)
Track certified mail using your 22-digit number on USPS.com, the mobile app, or by text. Complete guide to tracking statuses and what each one means.
Certificate of Service vs Certificate of Mailing
They sound the same but they're completely different documents. One is filed with the court, the other is a USPS receipt. Here's the breakdown.
How Legal Noticing Services Work (And Who the Providers Are)
Stuffing envelopes before court deadlines shouldn't be part of your practice. Here's how legal noticing services work, who the established providers are, and how to choose the right one.
More practical answers
How to Track Certified MailWhere to find the number and how to read tracking events.Electronic Return Receipt vs. Green CardCompare the two sender-facing signature record options.Sending Certified Mail to a PO BoxHow delivery and pickup records work for PO Box mail.Electronic Certified MailUnderstand online preparation and electronic record options.
Related Topics
USPS Rates
Compare Certified Mail fees with current USPS postage
Send a Letter Online
Use Postmarkr for tracked First-Class letters that do not require Certified Mail.
First-Class Mail Guide
Understand the base postage that certified mail builds on
USPS Postmark Guide
When the postmark date matters for legal deadlines
Certified Mail frequently asked questions
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