Return Receipt  
Get proof of delivery sent to your mailbox and/or email address.
Choose Return Receipt service when you purchase Certified Mail™, Registered Mail™, Collect on Delivery (COD), Insurance Over $200, or Express Mail. Return Receipt provides evidence of delivery (to whom the mail was delivered and date of delivery), along with recipient’s signature and information about their actual delivery address. A Return Receipt may be purchased before or after the mailing. A mailer purchasing Return Receipt service at the time of mailing may choose to receive the Return Receipt by mail or e-mail. (The e-mail option is available at most Post Offices. Contact your local Post Office for availability).

Mailers that receive the Return Receipt by mail receive a green postcard with the recipient’s actual signature or approved hand-stamp. Mailers that receive the Return Receipt via e-mail receive a proof of delivery letter arriving as a PDF attachment that includes an image of the recipient’s signature or an approved hand-stamp.
 
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Return Receipt FAQs
Go to Return Receipt Electronic FAQs
Go to Return Receipt Electronic FAQs

Electronic Return Receipts requested at the time of mailing also are available in bulk to mailers that print their own Certified Mail™, Registered Mail™, COD, or Insured Mail (over $200) labels. Bulk delivery information can be obtained in signature extract file formats. For additional information, see Publication 80, Bulk Proof of Delivery Program.

The electronic option is not available for items mailed to APO or FPO addresses or U.S. territories, possessions, and freely associated states, with the exception of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

For a fee, mailers may purchase return receipt service after mailing, if at the time of mailing they purchased Certified Mail, Registered Mail, insured mail (items valued over $200), or COD service. They may choose to receive the proof of delivery letter by fax, mail, or electronically.

Return Receipt service is purchased and used in combination with certain mail types and/or Extra Services that require a signature upon delivery. Return Receipt service is commonly purchased with Certified Mail, providing both evidence of mailing and a signature of the recipient.

Learn about detailed Features and Fees for Return Receipt.
 
You can use Return Receipt with:

Express Mail® - Next day delivery to most locations, guaranteed or your money back.
First-Class Mail® - Letters, envelopes, and small packages weighing 13 ounces or less. Return Receipt available when purchased at the time of mailing with Certified Mail, COD, insured mail (for more than $200), or Registered Mail.
Priority Mail® - Cost effective delivery in 2-3 days to most locations. Return Receipt available when purchased at the time of mailing with Certified Mail, COD, insured mail (for more than $200), or Registered Mail.
Package Services - Return Receipt available when purchased at the time of mailing with COD or insured mail (for more than $200).

You can combine Return Receipt with these Extra Services:

Delivery Confirmation™ - Provides date and time of delivery or attempted delivery.
Signature Confirmation™ - Provides date and time of delivery or attempted delivery, the name of the person who signed for the item, plus signature proof of delivery upon request.
Special Handling - Provides preferential handling for fragile or perishable items.
Restricted Delivery - Confirms that only a specified person (or authorized agent) will receive a piece of mail. Only available with Certified Mail, Insured Mail over $200, or Registered Mail.
Parcel Airlift Service (PAL) - Have your package sent by air to or from a military base outside the 48 contiguous states.


Related Publications

A Customer's Guide to Mailing Read our Customer's Guide to Mailing within the U.S.
Return Receipt, Domestic Mail Manual (HTML)
Postal Bulletin Issue 22137 pp. 43-44, 69-74 Introduction to Return Receipt Electronic