Certified mail is a unique USPS service that provides proof for a particular mail through a receipt to the sender. If you use an electronic USPS, the sender is notified immediately that the mailing gets delivered, or whenever a delivery attempt is made. It is important that your mail gets delivered, to satisfy the aim of the mail. The essence of certified mail is to notify the sender whenever the mail gets delivered. In this article, we will see about ‘Can Certified Mail Be Delivered Without Signature?’.
Can Certified Mail Be Delivered Without Signature?
A certified mail must be signed at the point of delivery. This is crucial to affect the importance of the mail. If the recipient of a mail receives the mail personally, s/he must sign the mail immediately to fully earn the rights to access the mail. However, there are some precautions that must be followed while using certified mail. It can be quite dangerous, if not properly handled.
Types of Certified Mail
There are two different types of certified mail; regular certified mail and restricted certified mail. For the former, it allows anyone at the address to sign for it. The most important criteria for this mail is to be found at the address of the mail. While the restricted certified mail can only be signed by the intended recipient. If you are not the recipient, you do not have the right to sign the mail, irrespective of your relationship with the recipient.
Why should I use Certified Mail?
A certified mail offers unique services that provide the sender with a mailing receipt or an electronic verification whenever the article or mail gets delivered. Unlike other mail, you really cannot say whether the mail has been sent or not. Summarily, a certified mail assures you that your mail is sent, and when you do not get the electronic verification, you can also be sure that the mail is yet to be sent.
Registered and Certified Mail
Although registered and certified mail is similar in service, they are not the same. Firstly, they have different purposes and values. A registered mail is used when you desire to get an update on every step of the shipment. It is important when you need to follow up on meeting the recipient. The certified mail on the other hand just informs the sender that the shipment has been mailed and also at the point of delivery.
Certified mail is cheaper than registered mail. Other differences include:
1. A certified mail is sent along with a registered mail, while a registered mail is sent separately.
2. registered mail is more secure; hence it is usually used to send important valuables and documents.
3. Register mail does not require any insurance while certified mail requires extra payment to insure the mail.
Cost
Certified mail is quite affordable in comparison with its benefits. You can send a certified mail with just $3.75, in addition to the postage required for mailing your item. However, this does not include the cost of a receipt. If you are interested in adding a return receipt, then you have to pay an extra $3.05 for a mail receipt and $1.85 for an electronic receipt.
It is not enough to make payment for the mail, you must ensure you complete the basic requirement to receive a notification. The proof of sending a certified mail is to complete the PS form 3800. You are required to attach the barcoded label to your mail piece. You can place a request for a postmark on your PS form 3800 to notify you that your mail has been sent. For those using the PC postage or privately printed 4*6 labels, also use the Label 3800-N, then proceed to pay the extra service fee.
Conclusion
Now we have learnt ‘Can Certified Mail Be Delivered Without Signature?’, A certified mail is a mailing system that provides the sender with a mailing receipt and electronic verification to confirm that your mail was delivered. Certified mail is easily affordable, and can be paid easily. If you are sending any item that requires notification, then you should consider using certified mail. It is available in the major parts of the country. You can visit the official website to get further details on how to apply for the mail. Certified mail is cheap, safe, and fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does an IRS audit come with certified Mail?
Yes, an IRS letter will come to you by certified mail. When you open the mail, you will find your employee ID number, form number, taxpayer ID, etc
- What happens when my mail is not delivered?
USPS will hold the letter at any of the local post offices for at least 15 business days, before proceeding to mark the letter as unclaimed and returning it to the sender. The entire process can take about 4 weeks. However, it is unusual for certified mail to be sent for several weeks without a delivery scan.
