USPS Certified Mail Tracking
What is USPS Certified Mail?
The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a shipping service called USPS Certified Mail that provides essential and sensitive papers with proof of mailing, delivery, and tracking. This service assures the recipient receives the mail securely and on schedule, making it perfect for mailing legal and confidential information. USPS Certified Mail, in contrast to regular mail, offers an extra degree of security, such as a unique USPS tracking number that enables senders or recipients to get tracking updates on their mail from the time it is sent until it is delivered. This service also requires the recipient to sign for the mail, providing a record of delivery.
The USPS Certified Mail also comes with three available services which are:
- Certified Mail Restricted Delivery – the mail can only be sent and signed by the addressee.
- Certified Mail Adult Signature Required – the mail can only be sent to the addressee who is 21 years old or above.
- Certified Mail Adult Signature Restricted Delivery – the mail can only be sent to a specific addressee and is 21 years old or above.
How do I track USPS Certified Mail?
USPS tracking is an important factor of USPS Certified Mail since it enables senders to keep track of the progress of their mail and make sure it arrives promptly. Senders or receivers can follow the location and delivery status of their mail at any time by entering the tracking number via the USPS website (www.usps.gov), by getting in touch with USPS customer service, or by using a third-party tracking website like Ship Resolve. The USPS tracking number enables senders to verify the date and signature of delivery, this feature is crucial for legal and time-sensitive documents.
Additionally, USPS Certified Mail tracking provides regular updates on the status of the mail, including delivery confirmation and attempted delivery notices. This information can be used to alert the recipient of the impending delivery, making it more likely that the mail will be delivered successfully.
USPS Certified Mail Tracking Number
The USPS Certified Mail tracking number is a 22-digit unique identifier assigned to each piece of certified mail sent through USPS. The tracking number can be found on the shipping or mailing label, and it can be used to tracking your mail status at any time using the USPS tracking feature or using a third-party tracking platform.
The USPS Certified Mail tracking number format should look something like this: 9999 9999 9999 9999 9999 99.
USPS Certified Mail Tracking Updates
USPS Certified Mail tracking provides regular updates on the status of the mail, which can be viewed on their official website or by using a tracking platform. These tracking updates include important information about the location and delivery status of the mail, which can help senders and recipients plan for its arrival. The following table summarizes some of the most common USPS tracking updates and what they mean:
| Tracking Updates | Description |
| Accepted | The mail has been accepted by USPS and is being processed. |
| In Transit | The mail is on its way to its destination and may have multiple stops along the way. |
| Out for Delivery | The mail is being delivered to the recipient’s address. |
| Delivery Attempted | USPS attempted to deliver the mail, but no one was available to sign for it. |
| Delivered | The mail has been delivered to the recipient’s address and signed for by someone at that address. |
USPS Certified Mail Delivery Time
The US Postal Service Certified Mail could take 2 to 5 business days to be delivered but if you chose the Priority Mail service, it could lessen the waiting time to 1 to 3 business days.
US Postal Service Certified Mail Not Delivered
If your USPS Certified Mail is not delivered, there are several steps you can take to resolve the issue.
- Check the tracking information provided by USPS to determine the current status of your mail.
- If the tracking information shows that the mail has been delivered but you have not received it, contact the recipient to verify that they have received the mail.
- If the tracking information shows that the mail has not been delivered, file a missing mail claim with USPS.
- The missing mail claim will initiate an investigation into the whereabouts of your mail and can help you locate the missing item.
Note that USPS only allows missing mail claims to be filed after seven days have passed since the expected delivery date.
USPS Certified Mail Lost
If your USPS Certified Mail is considered to be lost or stolen, you may be eligible for a refund of the postage and the value of the contents of the mail (only if it is worth $25 and above). To file a claim, you will need to provide the USPS tracking number and proof of postage.
How much does USPS charge for Certified Mail?
The cost of USPS Certified Mail is $4.15 (January 22, 2023 rate), with extra fees being added for additional services such as return receipt and restricted delivery. However, the cost of USPS Certified Mail is generally affordable, making it an excellent option for those looking to send important and sensitive documents securely.
