Contact Mailing Services to access any of the services listed below.

USPS Certified

Certified mail provides proof of mailing and delivery. The sender receives a mailing receipt at the time of mailing, and a record of delivery is kept at the recipient's post office. A return receipt to provide the sender with proof of delivery can also be purchased for an additional fee. Certified mail service is available only for First-Class Mail or Priority Mail. Certified mail is not available for international mail, nor does it offer insurance protection. For valuables and irreplaceable items, use Express Mail or insured or registered mail. Make all of this a link as people click on USPS Certified

USPS Insured

You can purchase insurance coverage up to $5,000 for Standard Mail, Priority Mail or First-Class Mail. For the most secure service, use Registered Mail for coverage up to $25,000. For articles insured for more than $50, a receipt of delivery is signed by the recipient and filed at the delivery post office.

You may purchase additional special services when you purchase insurance. For items insured for $50 or less, you may purchase special handling service. For items insured for more than $50, you may purchase restricted delivery, return receipt, or special handling services. Insured mail is also available for international Parcel Post mail to some countries; coverage varies.

Do not insure your packages for more than their value. The amount of insurance coverage for loss will be the actual value, less depreciation. Same as above

Registered Mail

Registered mail is the most secure service option offered by the Postal Service. It provides added protection for valuable and important mail. Registered articles are placed under tight security from the point of mailing to the point of delivery. First-Class Mail or Priority Mail postage is required on domestic registered mail. The fee to register mail is based on the actual value of the item which must be declared at the time of mailing. Return receipt and restricted delivery services are available for additional fees, and insurance up to $25,000 can be purchased on domestic registered mail at the mailer's option. Registered mail to Canada is subject to a $1,000 indemnity limit. For all other foreign countries, the indemnity limit is currently $42.30.

Registered mail requirements are very specific and differ for domestic and international mail. In general, the envelope or package wrapping must be new and clean. Window envelopes are not permitted at all, and "jiffy" shipping bags are prohibited for domestic use. All seams must be covered. Parcels must be sealed securely with plain or reinforced paper tape or cloth tape which will absorb a postmark impression and adhere in such a manner as to destroy the envelope or wrapper if removed. Masking tape, cellophane tape, plastic tape of any kind, or tying with twine is prohibited.

USPS Express

Express Mail is the fastest service USPS offers. It guarantees overnight delivery service 7 days a week including holidays. Express Mail International Service is offered to nearly 175 countries and territories and is a non-guaranteed two- to three-day delivery service. Receipts are required at the origin and destination for all shipments. Insurance is included in the rates and provides up to $500 on merchandise and up to $50,000 on document reconstruction. USPS Express mail shipping labels and containers are available from Mailing Services at no charge.

If you require expedited delivery but are not sure that your correspondents will be physically at the delivery address to accept and sign for the mail, you may exercise the Waiver of Signature option at the time of mailing.

To use Express Mail Next Day Service, you need to deposit your Express Mail (with all paperwork completed and attached) for morning pickup by Mailing Services; if you miss the morning pickup you can bring the Express Mail to Mailing Services, 3900 7th Ave NE, 1st floor, by 2:30 p.m. for Next Day Service. Depending upon the destination, your mailing will be delivered to the addressee either by noon or by 3 p.m. the next day.

USPS Return Receipt

A Return Receipt provides the sender with proof that an item was delivered. This receipt may be requested before or after sending domestic Certified, Insured (for more than $50), Registered, or Express Mail, and international Insured Parcel Post, Registered Air mail, or Express mail to some countries. The Return Receipt shows who signed for the item and the date it was delivered. For an additional fee, the sender can get the addressee's correct address of delivery or request restricted delivery service.