USPS mailing options

shadyoc

New member
So I?ve never really used mailing services.  They didn?t explain them that well.

1) regular certified mail
2) return receipt confirmation
3) signature confirmation

The USPS associate explained that #1 only shows proof that it was mailed NOT proof that it was received.  Adding #2, you actually get sent a green card that shows it was received/delivered.
Why would anyone do #1 without #2?  Wouldn?t you want to know it actually got there?

I did some googling and it says #1 actually has the recipient sign for it to prove that the mail was delivered (contradicting what the USPS associate told me)?  I didn?t know that they actually sign for it with regular certified mail.  So why would anyone pay more for #3?  Here is the link
https://blog.zlien.com/construction-payment/construction-preliminary-notice-delivery-methods/
 
This is what USPS says:
https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm100/extra-services.htm

#1 I think certified mail tells gives you a receipt that you mailed it and can request information about delivery.
#2 Return receipt will actually mail you a card back when delivered so you don't need to request information.
#3 Signature confirmation requires someone to sign for it to be delivered (and does not include a return receipt which you can add on).

I used to mail out packages and would use the Insured delivery option (not mentioned in your post).
 
Whenever I've needed to add (online) tracking, have mostly ended up using the 'priority mail' option and sometimes, the 'first-class' or 'certified' mail. Used the 'certified option with return receipt' only when I needed to know that someone at an office had indeed picked up my mail and as IHO said, would get a card confirming the same after delivery.
 
Does someone actually sign with certified mail option, like the zlien link above says it does?  If so, isn?t that technically the same as signature confirmation?
 
irvinehomeowner said:
This is what USPS says:
https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm100/extra-services.htm

#1 I think certified mail tells gives you a receipt that you mailed it and can request information about delivery.
#2 Return receipt will actually mail you a card back when delivered so you don't need to request information.
#3 Signature confirmation requires someone to sign for it to be delivered (and does not include a return receipt which you can add on).

I used to mail out packages and would use the Insured delivery option (not mentioned in your post).

Based on your usps link, certified mail only shows proof of mailing AND proof of delivery.  No one actually signs for it.  The zlien link says that with certified mail, it requires the recipient?s signature.  I think that?s false.
 
So what is the diff b/t certified mail which requires a signature and signature confirmation which also requires a signature?
 
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