June 10, 2023

Sending USPS Certified Mail® to a PO Box?

Send Certified Mail to a PO Box
Can you send USPS Certified Mail® to a PO Box?

Yes. This is a common question ask daily. You can send Certified Mail® to a P.O. Box in the United States. USPS Certified Mail® letters are addressed and delivered to the PO Box with no changes in mailers process.   In other words you just address the letter using the PO Box instead of the street delivery address.

When the USPS letter carrier delivers the letter the process that documents when the letter was received  at the delivery address is a little bit different.  A delivery notification card is placed inside the PO Box instructing the recipient they have a Certified Mail® waiting for pick up from the Post Office window clerk.  Because USPS requires someone to sign for each Certified Mail® letter the delivery notification card must be presented to the window clerk at the USPS Post Office. Then the recipient is presented the delivery confirmation Signature card and the date and time of the delivery confirmation are electronically captured and recorded by USPS.  This is how the United States Postal Service handles delivery when you address a certified mail label or form to a PO Box.

 

You can save time and money by sending USPS Certified Mail® by using Electronic Return Receipts a part of CertifiedMailLabels and Send Certified Mail. These labels and envelopes have been approved by USPS and do not use stickers or forms.  This makes sending USPS Certified Mail® with Electronic Return Receipt fast and easy.  The service includes proof of mailing, in-route letter tracking  and Electronic Delivery Confirmation as proof of delivery even if you send a letter to a P.O. Box.  Old fashioned Green Cards are expensive, hard to manage and can easily get mis-placed.  By addressing your letters online you can print Certified Mail® tracking numbers, bar codes and skip the trip to the Post Office!  No software to buy, no monthly costs or stickers or forms to fill out.

Call us at 800-406-1792 to learn more about automating USPS Certified Mail®. We have Enterprise Solutions for mail houses and large volume mailers.

Certified Mail Automation ‘Quick Print Kit’

Our Certified Mail Quick Print Kit provides automated mailing solutions for commercial mail houses, letter shops and printers that need to print and mail USPS Certified Mail letters. [Read more...]

2015 USPS Certified Mail Rates

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has approved new 2015 postal rates that begin Sunday, May 31, 2015.

The 2015 cost of sending a 1-ounce USPS Certified Mail letter with Return Receipt (old fashioned green card) will cost $6.74.  If you send Certified Mail using Electronic Delivery Confirmation the cost is $4.69.

USPS Mail Service:   2014 Rate  VS:  2015 Rates:

Certified Mail Fee                     $3.30               $3.45
Return Receipt Green Card  $2.70               $2.80
Return Receipt Electronic    $1.35                $1.40
First Class Postage (1 OZ)      $0.48               $0.49*  (if using meter or PC Postage online)
Flats (1 Oz)                                   $0.98               $0.99

Each additional OZ of First Class mail will cost $0.22 per OZ.

In summary, USPS Certified Mail postal rates increase +6.5.%,  Return Receipt costs increase +7.5% and First Class postage will increase two cents or +4%.

Three costs make up the total price of sending USPS Certified Mail:

1.   First-Class Postage $0.49  (this is the 1 oZ. rate for PC Postage and meter rates)
2.  Certified Mail service $3.45
3.  Return Receipt (old fashioned green cards)  $2.80 VS: the Return Receipt Electronic price of $1.40

Total cost per letter if mailing old fashioned Certified Mail Green Card and forms $6.74

OR  if you use Electronic Delivery Confirmation you can reduce your cost to $4.69

2014 Certified Mail Postal Rates

 

 

How to Reduce USPS Certified Mail Costs?

You can reduce Certified Mail rates by using web sites like Certified Mail Labels that dispense USPS PC Postage Online with Electronic Delivery Confirmation and Return Receipt Signatures.  Many mailers replace old fashioned green cards with the improved electronic proof of delivery receipts.  The electronic receipts can be shared by email or downloaded by FTP as PDF files to provide proof of mailing.  Each report displays the postmark, who the letter was addressed to, USPS in-route letter tracking and the final proof of delivery.  The web site even allows you to upload a letter in as an electronic PDF file and they print it and mail it the same business day.

Skip the trip to the Post Office and save time and money. Online services reduce costs. eliminate forms, labels, and monthly service fees.

Skip the trip to the Post Office!  Saves time and money.

You can sign-up for a free account at Certified Mail Labels.  No monthly fees or contracts.  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 10 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 $2.80.

This displays whom signed or accepted the letter, the date of letter delivery, and addressee’s address.  Return Receipt Signature service costs $1.40 purchased at the time of mailing. This information 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
•  2014 Certified Rates – Now in Effect
•  2011 USPS Certified Mail Postal Rates

2012 Certified Mail Postal Rate Increase Update

 

The United States Postal Regulatory Commission revised and approved new 2012 USPS Certified Mail Rates  that became effective January 22, 2012.

Last year the United States Postal Service was seeking permission to increase Postal Rates in 2011.  The increase represented an average of 5.6 percent to offset the USPS losses in recent years. The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and other businesses were concerned what impact the 2011 rate hike would have on business and became very vocal about the proposal. The Postal Regulatory Commission reached a unanimous vote declining the USPS rate increase in 2011. The reason for the decline was the lack of a solid feasible business plan for “overcoming the fundamental quandary USPS faces.” The Commission concluded the current budget problems and a number of rate cutting measures needed to be taken by USPS first.

The USPS Certified Mail Special Service rates and First Class postage rates increased the cost of sending Certified Mail with green cards to $5.75.  USPS Certified Mail letters cost is made up from three postage fees. The new 2012 Certified Mail Special Service fee costs $2.95.  Second, the Return Receipt service is available in two options.  The old fashioned green card price costs $2.35 for each letter, or the Return Receipt Electronic service can be used and costs $1.15 in place of the green card.  The third and final postage fee that makes up a USPS Certified Mail letter is First Class postage.  The one-ounce rate increased to $0.45.

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How Can I Reduce USPS Certified Mail Costs? You can reduce the costs to send USPS Certified Mail by using the Electronic Return Receipt – ERR in place of the old fashioned green card Return Receipt.  The Return Receipt Electronic provides the final delivery confirmation signature from USPS when your letter is delivered. This reduces the total cost of each letter from $5.75 to $4.60.  It is a true $1.15 cent postage savings per letter not to mention the time savings.  Certified Mail Envelopes includes Electronic Return Receipt with proof of mailing, in-route tracking and proof of each letters delivery with each Certified Mail Envelope.  This eliminates those forms or peel and stick labels.  Just address your letter online and print the cover page on your local printer. Slide the address cover page into the envelope add postage and mail.  It’s fast and easy.  No more labels, or forms to fill out.  No more green cards – and you can mail your letter from any mail box.

No more trips to the Post Office.

Current Certified Mail Envelope Costs

1.  First-Class Postage $0.45  (this is a letter size envelope, up to 1 oz in weight)
2.  Certified Mail Fee $2.95
3.  Electronic Return Receipt is included with USPS Certified Mail Envelope $1.55

The Total Cost per Letter $4.95   (Includes all postage costs, envelope and use of our online web site to print each address page.)

You can try the service by signing up for the free trial.  No credit card is needed. You still need to add postage ($2.95 + $0.45), but you can save the cost of the $2.35 green card return receipt fee.  This free trial allows you to see how the Electronic Return Receipt works.  You get setup with a web based login to address, print address sheets, track and report each mailing. You have access 24/7 and they file and store each Electronic Return Receipts for 7 years automatically.  USPS has approved Certified Mail Envelopes so the process is fast and easy to use.  No monthly fees or hidden costs.  All you need to do is add postage.

Free Trial Evaluation:  Get 2 Certified Mail Envelopes with Electronic Return Receipt
   Certified Mail Envelopes Free Trial:   http://www.certified-mail-envelopes.com/usps-free-trial-set-up/

Follow this link to read more about the Electronic Return Receipt – ERR.
http://www.certified-mail-envelopes.com/electronic-return-receipt-for-usps-certified-mail/

Last year, in 2011 USPS Certified Mail Postal Rate Increases included the After Mailing cost to purchase the Return Receipt Electronic Signature.  This cost was proposed to increase $0.25 to $4.85 per letter.  USPS said the new postal rates must go up to help cover a potential $7 billion loss projected in 2011.  Each additional ounce of weight would also increase from 17 cents to 18 cents.

The USPS must prove “exceptional or extraordinary circumstances” in order for the new Postal Rate Increase in 2011 to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to approve prices above the rate of inflation.  The PRC will approve the request if it finds pricing above CPI to be “reasonable and equitable and necessary.” The country continues to work through the worst recession since the 1930s. Key business customers have been devastated and have withdrawn from using the mail: credit card companies, financial institutions, real estate companies, retailers.

USPS mail volume has plummeted by more than 25.6 billion pieces, or 12.7 percent, in one fiscal year. Total volume stands at 177 billion pieces.  USPS First-Class Mail is the highest revenue contributor to the Postal Service bottom line and also the fastest volume decline.

Mail volume in general has declined at a higher rate than it did following the terrorist attacks of 9/11. More and more Americans are switching to electronic alternatives, further eroding a dwindling customer base. The Postal Service seeks to balance its financial challenges against the needs of its customers through a moderate increase and to gradually increase some prices to improve their financial performance while mitigating the effect on customers.

Experts believe future price increases can be greatly alleviated if the Postal Service was deregulated and became more competitive  or given the tools necessary to be a more flexible, customer-focused: change delivery frequency, restructure the pre-payment of retiree health benefits and expand access to products and services that are more convenient to customers.

Included in this new proposal is stopping delivery of mail service on Saturday.  A significant USPS price increase is under consideration that will impact 2011 USPS Postal Rates & mailing costs including special services mail like USPS Certified Mail. This includes many of the USPS Special Services that include USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested service, USPS Certified Mail Restricted Delivery, and USPS Registered Mail.

For many consumers the initial focus or cost of mailing a First Class letter may appear to be increasing $0.02 per letter, however due to many new financial and regulatory requirements in banking, health care and lending the cost of sending compliance letters by USPS Certified Mail in 2011 could be much higher.

How long does it take USPS to deliver a Certified Letter?

Plan on 3 to 5 business days unless you send it Priority Mail 2 or 3 day service.  USPS Certified Mail provides the mailer a receipt or ‘proof of mailing’ and evidence of delivery when the letter is delivered.  It does not guarantee an exact delivery time because someone must sign for each letter.  Certified is primarily used for important notifications, compliance and business communications.  USPS Certified Mail is First Class mail with Special Services that receives priority delivery services from USPS. [Read more...]

Certified-Mail-Envelopes with Electronic Return Receipt & Signatures

Send USPS Certified Mail® inside our USPS approved Certified-Mail-Envelopes with Electronic Return Receipt for $4.52 vs the old fashioned green card that costs $6.74.  [Read more...]

Certified Mail Cost Comparison

 

Three costs make up the current USPS Certified Mail rates:

1.  First-Class Postage $0.49 (this is a letter size envelope, up to 1 oz in weight)
2.  Certified Mail Fee $3.45
3.  Return Receipt (Green Card) $2.80 or Return Receipt Electronic $1.40

Save money by using USPS approved Certified Mail Envelopes.

Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested

Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested

Certified Mail Return Receipt provides proof of USPS Certified Mail letter delivery. The ‘old fashioned green card’ is quickly being replaced by a the ‘Electronic Return Receipt’ PDF file that provides delivery confirmation and ‘in-route’ letter tracking authored by The United States Postal Service.

Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested
Each USPS Certified Mail letter provides proof of mailing and delivery of a letter. The sender receives a receipt at the time of mailing from the Postal Service. Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested is a product of the US Postal Service that provides information about when a letter is mailed and delivered. A Certified Mail Return Receipt letter is a First Class letter that provides evidence or proof of mailing as well as evidence or proof the Certified Mail letter was delivered.  Each letter contains a unique Certified Mail article number that is 21 digits long and the number is express as a bar code on the outside of the letter beginning with a ’94, 70 or ’71′ article number. These article numbers match back to an electronic file used to print the Electronic Return Receipt PDF file. This provides the sender a fast and easy way to store ‘Certified Mail’ Electronic Reports that provide proof of mailing and USPS letter delivery confirmation.  Using a Certified Mail Envelope with Electronic Return Receipt™ provides the ‘in-route’ letter tracking and the final letter delivery scan for each letter.

 

Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested Signature PDF file

Today Proof of Service is written in many state laws that favor USPS Certified Mail or USPS Certified Mail Return Receipt service this provides the sender the date of mailing or receipt, because it is noted on the Return Receipt.

To learn more about USPS Certified Mail solutions contact Myrna Brown Senior Vice President at Certified Mail Envelopes. Ms. Brown worked for the United States Postal Service in the Pacific Northwest in Sales and Marketing and today helps businesses automate mailing solutions. Contact Certified Mail Envelopes at 800-406-1792.

Certified Mail Envelopes Security

Certified-Mail-Envelopes-SSL

 

Certified Mail Envelopes Security

Even though we do not store confidential data (USPS Address information is considered public domain information) we still protect your data using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) banking grade data encryption. 

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
Secure Socket Layer is an extra level of security for online consumers. It requires you to log on through a secure server, which prevents hackers from accessing your information. SSL uses technology known as encryption. This is software that scrambles the data with secret code. You can typically tell your data has been transmitted safely when a small lock icon appears at the bottom of your browser.

When you log-in to access tracking or delivery information on our site you enable SSL encryption for your data. Even though USPS address data is considered public domain information collected by the United States Postal Service we secure all our clients data processing and reporting. At all times you data is behind a SSL-secured site encrypted banking grade firewall. Each member of your office is required to log in to the site with SSL encryption enabled, so you can share your information through confidential data access.

Passwords:
You are in control of setting up your passwords. Short passwords that contain a small number of characters are more vulnerable to hackers. For this reason, we require all of our passwords be at least six characters long.  

Password expiration:
To ensure maximum password security, it’s a good idea to change your password frequently. By default, users are not ever required to change their passwords. But you can require them to change passwords regularly by enabling this option.

Password complexity:
To make passwords that are easy to remember, many people create passwords that contain their name or email address, or are a string of familiar digits, such as their phone number or birthday. The problem is, simple passwords like this are easy for hackers to guess, and could compromise the security of your site. The most effective passwords do not contain parts of your name and are “complex.”

If you have highly sensitive data on your site, the administrator can ensure that all users are employing “complex” passwords. Complex passwords must meet all of the following requirements.

We suggest the password be made up of three out of four of the following:

upper case letters (A-Z)
lower case letters (a-z)
digits (0-9)

If members attempt to create a password that does not meet these requirements, they receive an error message and must create a different password before they can log in.

Never send passwords by email
When a password appears in an email message, it is a potential security loophole. For the utmost password security, you can require that passwords are never emailed

Forgot your password feature:
When a user forgets their password, the only way they will be able to access the site is for the administrator to assign a new password to the user. Users who forget their passwords will not have the recourse of using the “Forgot my password” link, as this feature functions by emailing the password to the user. For the same reason, users will not be permitted to retrieve their password by contacting to the Help Desk.

If you have any additional information about data security please contact our Director of Technology and Data Processing at 800-406-1792