The new 2013 USPS Certified Mail rates for mailing a 1 OZ letter Return Receipt Requested is $6.11. The Certified Mail fee increased to $3.10, 1 OZ of First Class postage costs $0.46 and the old fashioned Return Receipt green card cost is $2.55.
The Postal Regulatory Commission appointed by President Obama approves all USPS Postal Rates and extra service fees, this includes USPS Certified Mail. The new cost of sending a 1-ounce USPS Certified Mail letter with Return Receipt (green card) is $6.11. The new postal rates became effective at midnight on Sunday January 27, 2013.
USPS Mail Service: 2012 Rate | 2013 Rates:
Certified Mail Fee $2.95 $3.10
Return Receipt Green Card $2.35 $2.55
Return Receipt Electronic $1.15 $1.25
First Class Postage (1 OZ) $0.45 $0.46
Flats (1 Oz) $0.90 $0.92
Each additional OZ of First Class mail is unchanged at $0.20 per OZ.
On average USPS Certified Mail rates increased +5.1%, Return Receipt green cards increased +7.5% and First Class postage increased one cent or +2.57%.
Three costs make up the new USPS Certified Mail rates:
1. First-Class Postage $0.46 (this is a letter size envelope, up to 1 oz in weight)
2. Certified Mail Fee $3.10
3. Return Receipt (Green Card) $2.55 or the Return Receipt Electronic $1.25
Total cost per letter is $6.11 if using old fashioned Green Cards or $4.26 if you use Electronic Delivery Confirmation.

How to Reduce USPS Certified Mail Costs?
You can reduce the costs of Certified Mail by using web sites like Certified Mail Envelopes or Certified Mail Labels that provides Electronic Return Receipt to provide proof of mailing, tracking and final proof of delivery for each letter. Other web sites like Send Certified Mail allow you to upload your letter in PDF file Word document and they ‘print and mail’ your letter the same business day. Today people are looking for easier ways to send USPS Certified Mail, reduce costs and eliminate forms, labels, and monthly service fees.
Skip the trip to the Post Office! Saves time and money.
You can sign-up for a Certified Mail Envelopes free account (no credit card is needed) No Monthly fees. Just pay when you mail. See how fast and easy it can be to address and send USPS Certified Mail. Certified Mail Envelopes provides the USPS approved Envelopes with free online web access to address, track and print your mailings. You can log in to the web site to print USPS delivery reports and can access your account 24/7. Your online web account stores all your Electronic Return Receipts safely for 7 years. USPS has pre-approved Certified Mail Envelopes so the process is fast and easy to use. No monthly fees or hidden costs. Just pay as you mail!
Use the Free Account Sign-Up now to get started. We will send you a start-up kit including 2 free envelopes.
Follow this link: http://www.certified-mail-envelopes.com/free-trial/
To see the Electronic Return Receipt – ERR. http://www.certified-mail-envelopes.com/electronic-return-receipt-for-usps-certified-mail/
The service includes the USPS SCAN Form 5630 or mail manifest form USPS PS-3800 to provide legal proof of acceptance into the United States Postal Service letter stream. You also get in-route letter and delivery tracking plus the final USPS delivery confirmation by email. The Return Receipt Electronic is provided as a PDF file for each letter you mail. Today many mailers use the electronic return receipt to replace the old-fashioned green cards return receipts.
You get proof with Certified Mail Envelopes. Proof of Mailing and Proof of Delivery from the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Our Certified Mail Envelopes are available in three sizes, #10 business envelope, 6 X 9″ Booklet and a large 9 X 12″ Flat sized envelope all approved by USPS. We provide online web access to address and print Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) and the Certified Mail bar codes with tracking information. Electronic Return Receipt to show proof of delivery are included with each mailing, plus ‘in-route’ letter tracking and the final delivery confirmation for each letter. You can even download a PDF of the Return Receipt Signature if needed. You may track each letter ‘in-route’ to insure delivery. No labels or stickers are used in this automation process. Just log in to the website to address then print an address sheet with tracking bar codes. Slide the address sheet into the window envelope that has been USPS approved for Certified Mail Envelope with your letters, apply USPS postage and drop the envelope into the USPS mail stream. It’s that fast and easy.
Mailers may use Forever Stamps to help ease the transition during price changes. Forever Stamps do not have a denomination and will be honored for First Class Mail whenever they are used for a one-ounce letter mailing.
USPS Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested service can be purchased before or after your mailing. The old-fashioned green card Return Receipt now cost $2.55.
This displays whom signed or accepted the letter, the date of letter delivery, and addressee’s address. Return Receipt Signature service costs $1.25 purchased at the time of mailing. This information displays whom signed or accepted the letter, the date of letter delivery and addressee’s address
USPS Certified Mail Signature After Mailing
Return Receipt Electronic Signature After Mailing cost $4.75 and can be purchased after mailing. The PDF report is a scanned image that displays whom signed or accepted the letter, the date of letter delivery and addressee’s address.
For additional information call Certified Mail Envelopes 800-406-1792.
Related USPS Certified Mail Rate News
• 2013 Certified Rates – Now in Effect
• 2011 USPS Certified Mail Postal Rates


