What is Registered Mail? Everything You Need to Know.

What is Registered Mail?

Registered Mail is the most secure service of the United States Postal Service (USPS). This premium mailing service offers top-notch security and accountability for your eCommerce shipments. 

This service has some key characteristics:

• Protected by safes, cages, sealed containers, locks, and keys
• Items must be presented to a USPS post office employee or rural carrier
• A signature is required on delivery
• Registered Mail Restricted Delivery is only available to the addressee or an authorized individual.
• Delivery information includes details about delivery attempts and the final status when the item reaches its destination.
• Registered Mail can be sent to military locations. However, delivery information is not available for APO/FPO/DPO destinations.
• The post office issues a mailing receipt, and the package is mailed from
• This service is not recommended if speed of delivery is essential, as it is processed manually

How Does Registered Mail Work?

From preparing a registered mail to sending it, you’ll need to follow six key steps. Here’s how the process works.

1. Preparing a Registered Mail: To prepare a Registered Mail, you need a specific PS Form 3806. Once you have filled it out for your international or domestic shipment, along with payment and the letter, hand it to the post office employee at the counter. 
2. Mailing Receipt: When you send a Registered Mail piece, you will receive a mailing receipt that serves as proof of mailing. This receipt is an important document that can be used to track the status of your mailpiece.
3. Choosing Mail Class: Registered Mail can be used with various mail classes, including First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage. The mail class you choose will determine the delivery speed and cost of your Registered Mail piece.
4. Declaring Value: When sending a Registered Mail piece, you must declare the value of the contents. This is an important step, as it determines the level of insurance coverage for your mailpiece. You can declare a value up to $50,000 for domestic Registered Mail pieces.
5. Tracking Delivery Status: Once your Registered Mail piece is sent, you can track its delivery status using the USPS tracking system. You will receive updates on the status of your mailpiece, including either a delivery status or information on an attempted delivery.

It is important to note that registered Mail pieces can be sent from any post office, station, or branch. You can also use rural carriers to send Registered Mail pieces.

However, if you need to send a Registered Mail piece internationally, you can use the USPS International Registered Mail service. This service offers enhanced security for sending important documents and packages abroad, complete with tracking and signature verification upon delivery.

Obtaining a Return Receipt

The Registered Mail fee is non-refundable after the Postal Service accepts the item. However, if the article is lost and a claim is made, the postage will be refunded, but not the Registered Mail fee.

A return receipt provides the sender with proof of delivery and can be purchased at the time of mailing. This includes the recipient’s signature plus the date and time of delivery. You can receive these details on a postcard receipt or request an email copy.

This is particularly important when sending legal documents, as it ensures they are delivered securely and on time.

Insurance

When presenting the item for mailing, you must declare the full value of the mail. Insurance matching the item’s declared value is included up to $50,000. Items with a declared value over $50,000 can be registered, but compensation for loss is limited to this amount.  Learning how shipping insurance can help safeguard the delivery of valuable items. 

Registered Mail International

This service offers additional protection and security in the US. In destination countries, items are handled according to their internal procedures. The recipient’s signature is not required in the destination country. However, return receipts can be purchased for registered items in most countries.

International Registered Mail ensures secure mail delivery, providing added security for important documents and packages sent abroad.

International Registered Mail is available for the following mail types:

• First-Class Mail International
• First-Class Package International Service

Check out the most affordable rates for your shipment with our rates calculator.

What Are the Benefits?

With over 58 million Americans having at least one package stolen in 2024, this service can be a top choice when sending valuable or irreplaceable items. The following factors are important considerations for online store owners looking to guarantee a secure delivery service:

• Enhanced Security: Registered Mail offers robust security features, safeguarding your valuable products during transit
  
  • Ideal for sending legal documents, ensuring they are delivered securely and on time.
• Delivery Confirmation: It provides indisputable proof of delivery and that you’ve sent an order, ensuring trust and transparency with your customers
• Reduced Risk: The stringent tracking and signature requirements minimize the risk of lost or stolen packages, saving your business from potential losses

How Registered Mail Benefits Online Store Owners

Registered Mail can make it easier for online store owners in multiple ways.

1. Protecting Your Reputation: Reliable deliveries and secure handling of packages through Registered Mail safeguard your online store’s reputation. Satisfied customers are more likely to return.
2. Minimizing Shipping Disputes: With proof of mailing and delivery, you can effectively address shipping disputes or customer claims, leading to a smoother resolution process.
3. Reducing Costs: While Registered Mail may have a slightly higher upfront cost than standard mail services, it can save you money in the long run by preventing losses due to damaged or lost shipments.
4. Ensuring secure mail delivery for your customers, enhancing their trust and satisfaction with your service.

What’s the Difference Between Registered Mail vs. Certified Mail Service?

While both Registered Mail and Certified mail offer secure mailing options, it’s essential to understand these key distinctions:

• Heightened Security: With its secure handling from start to finish, Registered Mail offers higher security. This is especially crucial when dealing with valuable or sensitive items
  
  • Registered Mail Restricted Delivery ensures that only the addressee or an authorized individual can receive the mail, providing an extra layer of security.
• Delivery Notifications: Both Registered and Certified Mail will give you the option for delivery notifications
• Speed: While Certified Mail travels at the same rate as normal first-class mail and can take up to 5 business days to reach its destination, Registered Mail will take longer due to the extra security
• Insurance: You would not typically find insurance with Certified Mail. However, Registered as a more expensive service, this option is included.

Related post: What is Certified Mail? Everything You Need to Know

Preparing Your Registered Mail Shipments

Efficiently prepare your Registered mail shipments to optimize the process.

• Secure Packaging: Use durable packaging materials to protect your products during transit. This safeguards your items and enhances the customer’s unboxing experience.
• Accurate labeling: Ensure precise labeling with the recipient’s address and pertinent details. This reduces the chances of misdelivery or delays.
• Documentation: Complete any necessary forms or documentation, including item lists. Organized documentation streamlines the shipping process, making it easier to manage multiple shipments.
  
  • Ensure that legal documents are securely packaged and accurately labeled to prevent any issues during transit.

Tracking Registered Mail

Registered Mail shipment tracking events can’t be tracked through a tracking number in the USPS portal, as updated scans are not provided. However, the delivery information is provided when a scan indicates either a delivery status or details of an attempted delivery.

If you are shipping to a P.O. Box, USPS will leave a delivery slip inside the box, instructing the recipient to present it to the window clerk. Tracking ensures secure mail delivery, providing updates on the status of your shipment.

How Much Does Registered Mail Fee Cost?

The cost of Registered Mail varies depending on factors such as package weight, destination, and the declared value of your items. Postal services typically offer tiered pricing based on these factors. Domestic Registered Mail is only available for the following mail classes:

1. First-Class Mail
2. USPS Ground Advantage
3. Priority Mail

USPS Signature Options With Easyship

As USPS Registered Mail services are highly secure and manually processed shipments, unfortunately, these services can’t be purchased through Easyship. They must be sent directly from a post office and overseen by a retail employee to confirm receipt of the shipment.

Easyship offers a range of similar USPS options to help you deliver items securely to your customers. These include:

• USPS Certified Mail: provides a mailing receipt to the sender as proof that a package was sent on a certain date, as well as electronic verification of delivery upon request
• USPS Signature Confirmation: provides the sender with the recipient’s signature, name, delivery date, and delivery address

These options are particularly useful for sending legal documents, ensuring they are delivered securely and on time.

Easyship is the leading shipping and logistics platform, collaborating with a vast network of over 250+ couriers across the globe. This unique position enables us to negotiate exclusive shipping discounts with top-tier couriers, providing you with the opportunity to reduce your shipping costs. Our popular discounts include a wide range of top couriers:

• Up to 65% Savings on USPS First Class Package
• Up to 89% Savings on USPS Priority Mail
• Up to 50% Savings on UPS® Ground
• Up to 85% Savings on USPS - Ground Advantage
• Up to 76% Savings on UPS Worldwide Saver®
• Up to 91% Savings on DHL eCommerce

FAQs about USPS Registered Mail

1. What’s the difference between Registered and Certified Mail?
Registered Mail is the Postal Service’s most secure option, with locked storage, a full chain of custody, and up to $ 50k insurance. Certified Mail simply provides tracking and proof of delivery, making it faster and cheaper but less protected.

2. Does Registered Mail require a signature?
Yes. Delivery isn’t completed until someone signs (or an approved electronic signature is captured). Add a Return Receipt if you need a copy of that signature.

3. What does it mean when mail is “registered”?
Each hand-off is logged, the item travels in locked containers or safes, and it stays insured for its declared value, minimizing risk of loss or tampering.

4. When should Registered Mail be used?
Use it for cash, jewelry, legal originals, sensitive data, or anything valuable or irreplaceable. For routine documents that only need delivery proof, Certified Mail is enough.