What type of mail offers a guarantee that the item has been received by requiring the postal carrier to obtain a signature upon delivery?

Got a busy day planned? Don't worry, you don't need to stay home to receive your parcels. With Safe Drop, you can still receive deliveries requiring a signature when no one's home.

With this free service, just choose a safe spot at the delivery address and we'll leave your parcel there for you.

Which parcels are eligible for Safe Drop?

Signature parcels are eligible for Safe Drop when:

• the sender provides your contact details
• the sender allows Safe Drop
• there's a safe place to leave your parcel

Please note, while we'll do our best to leave your delivery in your preferred location, it isn't always possible. Not all addresses are suitable for this service (e.g. apartments, PO Boxes or Parcel Lockers). If your parcel will be exposed to weather or too visible to passing traffic, we'll take it to a local Post Office for you.

When can I use Safe Drop?

You have until 1 hour before a delivery is made to request or cancel a Safe Drop.

How do I request Safe Drop?

You can set Safe Drop as your delivery preference, for all eligible signature parcels. Or you can just request it for each eligible parcel as you need it. See below for more details.

Set Safe Drop as your delivery preference

When you set Safe Drop as your delivery preference, we'll apply it to any eligible signature parcels sent to you in the future. After you've set your preferences you can still change them at any time, or cancel Safe Drop for individual parcels.

Steps:

1. Log in to your account.
2. Find Delivery preferences.
3. Beside 'Request safe drop for eligible signature parcels' click Change.
4. Follow the steps to change your delivery preferences.

To see if we'll apply Safe Drop for a parcel that's on its way, just check the item details in your track list. Whenever possible we'll notify you in advance if a parcel is ineligible.

Request Safe Drop as you need it

If you haven't set Safe Drop as your delivery preference, that's okay. You can still request it for eligible parcels, up to 1 hour before a delivery is made. We'll let you know when it's available once your parcel is on its way.

There are a couple of ways to request it.

• You'll receive an email asking if you'd like to use Safe Drop for that delivery, along with instructions.

OR

• Go to Deliveries > Track. If the Safe Drop option is showing for your delivery, simply follow the steps.

Keep in mind that some addresses aren't suitable for Safe Drop (e.g. PO Boxes, certain apartment buildings). We won't Safe Drop your delivery if the location is unsuitable or not protected from the weather.

Cancel or change a Safe Drop

You have until 1 hour before a delivery is made to cancel or change a Safe Drop.

Cancel Safe Drop from the track list and your parcel will be delivered using the existing signature on delivery instructions.

Or to change the Safe Drop location (e.g. it's started raining and you want your parcel left undercover), simply cancel the request and set up a new one, with a different instruction.

Safe Drop FAQs

Certified vs Registered Mail

People have long been sending each other letters, cards, and gifts through the postal office. Even today when one can send letters and greetings through the internet which is received by the recipient in seconds, people still use the postal service for most of their mail.
It is the cheapest way to send not just letters but also important documents and parcels or packages. Many private logistics companies offer the same services as the postal office but most people still choose the latter for their mailing needs.

There are many services offered by the postal office. You can send your mail as regular mail, certified mail, or registered mail. Regular mail is the cheapest as you have to pay more for certified mail and registered mail. Here are other differences between certified and registered mail.

Certified mail is a special service mail that provides the sender proof of billing and delivery, with a copy of the recipient’s signature upon delivery. A priority or first class mail can be sent as certified mail and is given a unique tracking number that serves as receipt and official record of mailing.

Certified mail is usually sent together with regular mail and is cheaper. If a return receipt is requested, the sender will have to pay an additional amount. Certified mail is not insured and you have to pay an additional amount if you want to have it insured.

It is usually used for business and government mail. Where, before the return receipt was mailed back to the sender after the recipient has signed it, today it is captured by the letter carrier and sent electronically.

Registered mail is a mail service offered by the postal office that provides detailed records of the letter, packet, or other document’s location as it is transferred from one location to another. They are affixed with barcode registration labels enabling the sender to track his shipment online.

The process started in London in the mid-1500’s for state security purposes. Registered mail is sent separate from regular mail and takes longer to arrive to the recipient. It is also more expensive and is used to send valuables and important documents because it is more secure than other types of mail. It is also insured for up to $25,000.00.

Summary 1. Certified mail provides a receipt for the sender and for an additional fee, will receive a copy of the recipient’s signature upon his receipt of the mail, while registered mail provides the sender a receipt and detailed records of his mail’s location. 2. The sender will know that his mail has reached the recipient upon the return of receipt, while registered mail can be tracked by the sender online, as every time the mail changes hands, it is logged. 3. Certified mail is cheaper, while registered mail costs more. 4. Certified mail is sent together with regular mail, while registered mail is sent separately. 5. Important documents and valuables are usually sent through registered mail because it is more secure than certified mail.

6. Registered mail is insured, while you have to pay an additional amount to insure certified mail.

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The USPS offers a service called Signature Confirmation that gives shippers extra peace of mind by requiring a signature from the recipients of their packages. Although USPS Tracking proves that a package was delivered to a particular address, Signature Confirmation proves that it was actually received by the intended recipient or his agent.

Signature Confirmation costs $3.65 when purchased at a Post Office, and $3.65 when purchased electronically using online postage services such as Stamps.com. Signature Confirmation provides shippers with the name of the recipient as well as the delivery date, time, and location; a copy of the recipient’s signature will also be faxed, mailed, or e-mailed to you upon request. Delivery status information is available for one year after the date of delivery, and can be accessed online or by phone.

Shippers may purchase Signature Confirmation with the following mail classes and services: First Class Mail (packages only), Priority Mail, First Class Package Service (packages only), Media Mail (packages only), Collect on Delivery, Insured Mail, Registered Mail, Restricted Delivery (if COD, Registered Mail, or insured for over $200) and Return Receipt (if COD, Registered Mail, or insured for over $200).

To ensure receipt by a specific person (rather than that person’s agent), use Restricted Delivery in conjunction with Signature Confirmation. This requires the recipient of your package to positively ID himself before the USPS carrier will deliver the package.

Key Points:

• USPS Signature Confirmation is a value-added service that requires the recipient or a responsible party to sign for the release of a package
• USPS Adult Signature Confirmation requires someone 21 years or older to sign for the package
• USPS Signature Confirmation is only available for domestic US shipments

Safe package delivery is more important than ever. Online shoppers expect reliability from online merchants these days. Meanwhile, package theft (aka porch piracy) is increasingly common. Signature confirmation services help you ensure packages arrive as intended.

USPS Signature Confirmation is a value-added service that requires the recipient or a responsible party to sign for the release of a package. This service grants both shippers and customers peace of mind, especially those with high-value shipments. It's only available for domestic-US shipments.

For a small fee, USPS offers four delivery confirmation services, including:

• USPS Signature Confirmation
• USPS Adult Signature Confirmation
• USPS Restricted Delivery
• USPS Adult Signature Restricted Delivery

In this blog, we explain Signature Confirmation and these similar USPS services.

Want to save on USPS shipping? Easyship saves you up to 91% off all USPS retail rates instantly. You also save on 250+ global shipping solutions like UPS, FedEx, and DHL. For a sample of the savings, try our shipping free shipping rates calculator.

What is USPS Signature Confirmation?

USPS Signature Confirmation is a value-added service that requires the recipient or a responsible party to sign for the release of their package.

In other words, the recipient has to be physically present to receive their package. They must also show a valid photo ID to confirm their identity. USPS won’t drop off the package until a signature is obtained.

Once the package is delivered, USPS relays the delivery confirmation to the shipper. This information includes the date, time, and location of delivery.

Packages that aren’t signed for are returned to the local delivery hub. The delivery driver leaves a paper notice and an online notification to inform you that a delivery attempt was made, and will be re-attempted.

These notifications allow the shipper to verify the status of a package, and whether it's been delivered safely. Meanwhile, the recipient can rest assured that their order will only reach their hands.

USPS offers four delivery confirmation services, including:

• USPS Signature Confirmation: The recipient or any other responsible adult in the residence can sign for the package.
• USPS Adult Signature Confirmation: Someone 21 years or older must sign for the package.
• USPS Restricted Delivery: Only a specified person can sign for and receive the package. You must pair this service with another extra service, including Signature, Required, Certified Mail, Collect on Delivery (COD), Insured Mail (over $500), Registered Mail.
• USPS Adult Signature Restricted Delivery: Only a specified adult can sign for and receive the package. This service is only available with Certified Mail, Insured Mail (over $500), COD, or Registered Mail.

Recipients can sign electronically for their packages via USPS Electronic Signature.

Benefits of USPS Signature Confirmation

• Peace of mind: You and the recipient might feel more at ease with delivery confirmation. This is especially true with high-value and sensitive shipments.
• Responsible delivery: USPS Adult Signature Confirmation helps ensure that sensitive shipments like alcohol or CBD products are received by adults.

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The Cost of USPS Signature Confirmation

Signature confirmation services are purchased with your shipping label for a small fee. USPS Signature Confirmation and the like can be purchased for the following shipping services:

• Priority Mail
• Parcel Select
• First Class
• Media Mail
• Retail Ground
• Package Services

Bonus: Priority Mail Express shipments receive signature confirmation services automatically.

USPS Signature Confirmation and its variants all have different prices. You can purchase these services from the USPS website, from shipping solutions like Easyship, or at a Post Office.

Here are the costs for USPS delivery confirmation services:

USPS Signature Required:

• Post Office: $3.20
• USPS.com or Easyship: $2.70

USPS Adult Signature Required:

USPS Restricted Delivery:

• Signature Confirmation: $8.10 online, $8.60 at Post Office
• Certified Mail: $9.15
• COD$5.40
• Insured Mail: $5.40
• Registered Mail: $5.34

USPS Adult Signature Restricted Delivery:

Restrictions of USPS Signature Required

Certain restrictions apply to USPS Signature Confirmation and similar services, including:

• Domestic shipments only: USPS Signature Confirmation is only available for domestic US shipments. The service is available for domestic shipments.
• Package thickness: Package must be greater than 3/4 inch thick. Thinner items must be placed in a rigid box or container that will not lose shape or collapse in transit.
• Limited availability: USPS Signature Confirmation is unavailable for mail sent to APO/FPO/DPO destinations, or packages addressed to ZIP codes in certain Freely Associated States and Territories as shown below:

How to Use USPS Signature Confirmation

Signature confirmation services work just like normal USPS tracking services. To view the delivery status of a shipment, just visit the tracking page for your shipment. You can also call the USPS customer service line.

If the recipient isn't home, the USPS driver leaves a note. This note tells the recipient the next scheduled delivery time or the local Post Office location where they can claim their package.

USPS will make 1-2 delivery attempts beyond the first. Packages undelivered after a few attempts are held at the nearest Post Office for 15 days before the package is returned to the shipper.

USPS Signature Options With Easyship

Does USPS require a signature? Not unless you purchase Signature Confirmation or similar services. You can ensure your package makes it to its end destination for a few bucks. If you’re shipping precious or pricey items, any of these USPS signature-required services could be for you.

Easyship helps shippers to save up to 91% off all USPS retail rates. For example, here’s a sample of the savings you’d get when sending a 5-pound package from New York to Denver.

At 66% savings on USPS Priority Express, the $29.99 monthly fee for Easyship pays for itself in short order. Or, if you ship 100 or fewer packages per month – Easyship is 100% free.

Ready to start saving? Create your free Easyship account.

Save up to 91% off all shipping rates. Easyship offers the guaranteed cheapest volume-discounted rates on the market from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ global couriers.

USPS Shipping Confirmation FAQ

Can I waive signature confirmation with USPS?

Yes, you can waive the USPS signature confirmation requirement to allow the carrier to deliver mail without obtaining the recipient's signature.

How do I know if my USPS package requires a signature?

You'll receive notifications from USPS, or see the requirement on your USPS tracking page using the information sent to you by the shipper. A shipping label requiring you to append your signature will also be attached to the package.

Can I add signature confirmation after shipping?

No. This service must be purchased either online on usps.com or at the Post Office during the time of shipping.

What is the difference between certified mail and signature confirmation?

Certified mail provides a mailing receipt to the sender as proof that a package was sent on a certain date, as well as electronic verification of delivery upon request. Signature confirmation provides the sender with the recipient's signature, name, delivery date, and delivery address.

Does Priority Mail require a signature?

Priority Mail shipments are eligible for USPS signature confirmation. It's up to the shipper to add signature requirements to their packages at a fee.

What happens if you aren't home to sign for a package?

USPS delivery staff will leave a note at your residence on the next scheduled delivery attempt or options on how to get the package at the nearest Post Office.