How Much Is Registered Mail & What’s Included?
Uncover the costs and comprehensive benefits of USPS Registered Mail. Get clarity on pricing, included security, and how to send your important items.
Registered Mail is a secure mail service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS), providing enhanced security for valuable or important mailpieces. Its primary purpose is to ensure secure delivery and offer proof of mailing and delivery. This service is chosen by individuals and businesses when the contents of their mail require an unbroken chain of custody and verifiable delivery.
Understanding the Base Cost
The cost of Registered Mail involves an additional fee applied on top of the regular postage required for the mailpiece. This base fee for Registered Mail is approximately $16.80 for items with a declared value up to $50,000. It is important to note that this fee covers the specialized handling and security features of Registered Mail, but does not include the postage itself. The postage cost for the mailpiece is determined separately based on its weight, size, destination, and the mail class chosen (e.g., First-Class Mail, Priority Mail).
For items with a declared value exceeding $50,000, the Registered Mail fee increases incrementally. While the maximum insurance coverage available through Registered Mail is typically $50,000, items with higher declared values can still be sent via Registered Mail, with specific handling charges applying beyond this insurance limit. These additional charges are calculated based on the declared value, often per $1,000 or fraction thereof.
Included Service Features
The base fee for Registered Mail encompasses several inherent security features designed to protect valuable or sensitive mail. A primary feature is the secure chain of custody, which means that every individual handling the mailpiece signs for it, creating a continuous record of its movement from the point of mailing to final delivery. This meticulous process involves manual handling and separate transportation, often in locked containers.
Registered Mail also includes enhanced tracking, though it differs from standard package tracking. While it does not provide real-time, step-by-step scans as the item moves through the mailstream, it offers delivery information upon arrival or attempted delivery. This service also provides limited liability coverage, acting as insurance, for the mailpiece up to a base amount, typically $50,000, without requiring a separate insurance purchase.
Optional Add-On Services
Customers can enhance Registered Mail with several optional services, each adding to the total cost. One common add-on is Return Receipt, which provides the sender with proof of delivery, including the recipient’s signature and the date of delivery. A physical Return Receipt (often a green card) costs approximately $3.65, while an electronic Return Receipt, which is delivered via email, costs around $2.32.
Another optional service is Restricted Delivery, which ensures that the mailpiece is delivered only to a specific addressee or an agent authorized in writing. This service adds approximately $6.70 to the cost. Furthermore, while Registered Mail includes some liability coverage, customers can purchase additional liability coverage (insurance) if their item’s value exceeds the base amount. The cost for this additional coverage varies based on the declared value, increasing incrementally for higher values.
The Mailing Process
Sending Registered Mail requires specific actions at a USPS Post Office. The first step involves preparing the mailpiece by securely sealing it to prevent tampering during transit. This typically means using strong tape.
Next, customers must complete PS Form 3806, which is the Registered Mail Receipt. This form requires the sender to fill in their name and address, the recipient’s name and address, and the declared value of the mailpiece’s contents. It is important to accurately declare the full value of the item, as this affects the liability coverage.
Once the mailpiece is prepared and PS Form 3806 is completed, both must be presented to a USPS retail associate at the post office counter. The associate will process the request, apply the necessary labels, and calculate the total fees, including the Registered Mail fee and any chosen add-on services, in addition to the postage. Upon completion, the customer receives a copy of PS Form 3806, which serves as official proof of mailing and contains the tracking number.