When you send mail regularly, it’s important to ensure your shipments reach the recipient on time. There are two types of security measures you can opt for while sending mail - registered mail and certified mail. While both registered and certified mail appear to be the same, they are quite different.
Let’s dive into what each of these mail security options signifies and the main differences between them.
Certified Mail
Certified mail is the type of mail that first originated in 1955. This type of mail was created to make it easier for people to send mail through first-class delivery and receive proof of delivery at the same time. Certified mail is a great option for small business owners.
With certified mail, you can sign up for a first-class mailing service. This means that you can obtain proof of delivery, which remains on file for two years. To put it simply, certified mail allows you to make sure that your shipment has been delivered. This is to say that when you send a package through USPS-certified mail, the recipient will be required to sign on a receipt.
Once that receipt has been signed and it’s made sure that the package has been delivered, you will get an update. However, please remember that you must purchase a return receipt for this to happen. If you don’t purchase a return receipt at the time of shipping, you can do so for up to two years.
In case the mail is not received by the recipient, there will be another attempt to deliver the parcel. If the recipient denies the mail receipt, you will receive an update about that as well.
With certified mail, you can track the delivery electronically. USPS allows you to track the delivery electronically on its track and confirm website. When you use certified mail, you will receive a 20-digit tracking ID number on the mail receipt.
It’s important to remember that the pace of delivery with certified mail is the same as the normal delivery pace. This means that the mail should get delivered within five days of shipping.
Registered Mail
Registered mail can often be mistaken for certified mail. However, some key differences make registered mail stand out. Registered mail is essentially certified mail but with added security. With registered mail, you can use delivery options like locked cages, safes, containers, and a chain of custody.
This is paired with electronic and physical signatures to ensure you can track every step of your delivery. Furthermore, registered mail also offers electronic insurance for up to $25,000, depending on the value of the items inside the concerned package. Shipments sent with registered mail can take up to 15 days to reach the recipient and, sometimes, 21 days with insurance.
Differences Between Certified Mail and Registered Mail
As mentioned above, the primary difference between certified mail and registered mail is the security measures your courier services take. Registered mail is handled differently and more carefully. It allows the sender to opt for different measures to protect the mail from loss, damage, or theft.
While both registered and certified mail delivery will send you delivery updates, remember that only registered mail provides the option of secure caged delivery. Furthermore, registered mail has a more solid insurance policy than certified mail. Registered mail is relatively expensive but with tighter security.
Certified mail, on the other hand, is a more economical alternative to registered mail and is great for tax returns and other legal notices.
Cost of Shipping Certified Mail
There’s no doubt that certified mail is an excellent option for small business owners who want to save up on the shipping but still want to ensure their mail gets delivered. Sending packages with certified mail can cost up to $3.75 per package. However, this does not include the cost of postage.
If you want to purchase a return receipt, that would be an additional $2.85. You can buy this service at your local post office or the USPS website.
In a nutshell, both certified mail and registered mail have specific advantages that can be useful depending on your agenda. Certified mail is a great option if you’re a business owner and want to ensure that your product has been delivered to your customer without spending a lot of money. But, if you’re sending items with sensitive information, registered mail can be a helpful alternative.
