Certified Mail & Return Receipt

Even though the Internet is used more and more for private correspondence, for important, sensitive documents, the security of postal mail is still the best choice. But letting your mail carrier just leave certain sensitive correspondence, contracts or other important business documents in the mailbox where just anyone can get at them is certainly not ideal in these security-minded times. There are times you need to know that the only person who got the message is the one you wanted to receive it, and the USPS’s Certified Mail service is there to keep important mailings out of unwanted hands.

When you use Certified Mail, you receive proof that an item was presented for mailing at a Post Office, a tracking number for online delivery confirmation and proof that the piece was indeed delivered. Best of all, using Certified Mail with Stamps.com is elegantly simple with our proprietary label forms that allow you to print postage and your required Certified Mail forms in one easy step.

Certified Mail Details

To receive proof of mailing, all you need do is take the certified mailpiece to your nearest Post Office counter. The clerk there will take the mailpiece and cancel your receipt with a date stamp showing the date that the piece was accepted. If you don’t need proof of mailing, you can mail your letter or package as normal.

Every Certified Mail item is assigned a unique tracking number. If you need to check-up on its whereabouts, you can find out online at www.usps.com or by calling 1-800-222-1811.

At the time of delivery, the mail carrier collects the recipient’s signature, and the signature is kept on record by the USPS for two years. For an additional fee, you can request a copy of this signature (Return Receipt), either before or after the time of mailing. For another additional fee, delivery can be restricted solely to the addressee or an authorized agent of the addressee using USPS’s Restricted Delivery service.

Benefits of Using Certified Mail with Stamps.com

When you use Stamps.com’s proprietary Certified Mail forms, you can print postage and all Certified Mail forms (including Proof of Purchase or Return Receipt, if desired) in one simple step. Benefits include:

• Save Time: Eliminate the lengthy process of filling out USPS forms and attaching separate address, postage and USPS forms. With our product, there is just one form to print and as few as one label to attach.
• Flexibility: You can print on easy-to-use #11 envelopes or our highly flexible label form, which can be used on regular envelopes, flats or packages.
• Ease of use: Our products are laserjet-compatible 8½" x 11" sheets – just feed the sheets into your printer and you’re ready to print. No proprietary inks, and no exotic processes are necessary.

There are three ways to use Certified Mail service with Stamps.com’s software:

Stamps.com’s Certified Mail labels (SDC-3900): Our most flexible option, this label is perfect when mailing a large envelope or flat. Print postage, Proof of Mailing receipt, Return Receipt and Restricted Delivery in one step, and apply the labels to the envelope. It’s that simple.

Stamps.com’s Certified Mail envelopes (SDC-3800): Our easiest option, this envelope is perfect when mailing items that fit into a #11 or smaller envelope. Print postage, Proof of Mailing receipt, Return Receipt or Restricted Delivery in one step, fold and seal the envelope, and you’re done.

USPS form 3800: Our low-cost option is available to all Stamps.com customers and is perfect for customers who rarely use Certified Mail service. Print postage for Certified Mail, Return Receipt or Restricted Delivery using the Stamps.com software, then complete the USPS forms, available at any Post Office.

When shipping Certified Mail with Stamps.com, you get both security and convenience – a winning combination!

Return Receipt Details

To receive confirmation your mailpiece was delivered and received by the recipient, you can add Return Receipt to your mailing. Return Receipt provides a mailer with evidence of delivery (to whom the mail was delivered and date of delivery), along with the information about the recipient’s actual delivery address. A mailer purchasing this service at the time of mailing may choose to receive the Return Receipt by postal mail or electronically via email.

Mailers that receive the Return Receipt in the mail receive a green postcard with the recipient’s actual signature. Mailers that choose the electronic Return Receipt feature receive an email with a PDF attachment that includes a proof of delivery letter and an image of the recipient’s signature.

Return Receipt service is commonly purchased with Certified Mail to get both proof of mailing and proof of delivery. It can also be purchased for Express Mail, Priority Mail, Registered Mail, COD or Insured Mail items valued over $200.

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Stamps.com Certified Mail labels and Certified Mail envelopes can be used only with a Stamps.com Premier plan. Certified Mail labels and Certified Mail envelopes can be purchased at the Stamps.com store.