

Of course, all that tracking information is only helpful and only ever useful if you know how to use the tracking data in the first place. That’s what this quick guide has been put together to help you with. One of the biggest reasons that people like to switch to Certified Mail is because of the built-in tracking features. Providing you with the same tracking data and information that you would have with a traditional package, you’re able to watch every step that your first class mail makes as it goes from you to its ultimate destination. All of this gave a lot more confidence to individuals looking to send important pieces of mail domestically (and later internationally) and millions Certified Mail still today. If the recipient doesn't pick up the letter at the post office, the postal service will return the letter to the sender of the piece.Created in 1955, the United States Postal Service (USPS) established Certified Mail to act as a “proof of mailing” solution for those sending packages, parcels, and letters via first-class delivery. A major step forward for the USPS, the service was considered to be a much more affordable solution compared to Registered Mail – a service that have been available through the USPS since the 1800s, but one that was getting more and more expensive on a regular basis.Ĭertified Mail was an immediate hit. Senders were provided with a “proof of delivery” with the opportunity to order a Return Receipt separately. What if the post office can't deliver my certified letter?Īfter putting a notice on the door for the recipient the Certified letter is taken back to the post office and is held up to 15 days waiting for the rightful owner to come in and claim it. If no one answers the door, they place a sticker (ps form xxx) on the door or in the mail box letting the recipient know that a certified letter is at the post office for them to pick up. The Post Office is not required to make delivery on Certified Mail letters their obligation is to try and make delivery. If the recipient is not home, the letter will get returned to the local post office.

If all goes well, your letter will be delivered within 10 days. If your certified letter has been accepted and is being tracked by the postal service, you might want to give it some extra time. Why hasn't my certified letter been delivered? Keep in mind, the post office doesn't always capture every action that they are supposed to and it could take some time for the letter to be delivered or returned to you. Local city delivery is the fastest and it slows down the further away it travels and the smaller the destination city. We've found that Certified Mail arrives at its destination in 1 to 5 days. It is considered First-Class mail and requires first class postage in addition to the certified mail fees. USPS Certified Mail travels at the same speed as First-Class mail. How long does it take for certified mail to arrive? If you didn't find the results you were looking for, you might want to try and re-enter the number and make sure that you enter all 20 digits. We can track your letter even if you didn't use our online tools to create your certified letter simply enter your number and click the "track it" button. Enter your 20-digit certified mail tracking number here and we'll pull up a list of all the USPS letter tracking scans. You might need to scroll down but you will see a box that says Certified Mail Tracking. The quick answer for tracking certified mail online is to simply enter the tracking number on the right side of this page.
