USPS Certified Mail, Registered Mail, Return Receipt and PO Boxes (2026)
What USPS Certified Mail, Return Receipt, Registered Mail and a Certificate of Mailing do and what they cost at a Post Office, plus how PO Box sizes, rental terms and prices work. Prices come from USPS Notice 123, the official retail price list, and USPS's own service pages. For postage on the package itself, see our shipping guide.
Errand Desk isn't affiliated with the U.S. Postal Service. Prices are USPS retail prices from Notice 123 "Effective October 04, 2026" and change from time to time, so check the USPS pages below before you mail.
Which USPS extra service do I need? Comparison table
Fees are added to postage. Only what USPS's own pages say.
| Service | What you get | Retail fee | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Mail | Proof you sent it, and a record of delivery or a delivery attempt [2] | $5.55 [1] | Post Office [2] |
| Return Receipt | A record with the recipient's signature, by mail or by email [2] | $4.65 hard copy (PS Form 3811), $2.91 electronic [1] | Added to Certified Mail or another eligible service [1][2] |
| Registered Mail | USPS's most secure service, insurable up to $50,000 [2] | From $20.90, by declared value [1] | Post Office or your Rural Carrier [2] |
| Certificate of Mailing | Proof of the date you mailed it. USPS doesn't keep a copy [2] | $2.45 (PS Form 3817) [1] | Post Office only, at the time of mailing [2] |
| Restricted Delivery | You specify the person who can sign for and receive it [2] | $14.35 with Certified Mail, $8.80 with Registered Mail [1] | Combined with another service [2] |
What is Certified Mail, and how much does it cost?
USPS describes Certified Mail as a way to "Prove you sent it." You can see when it was delivered or that a delivery attempt was made. When you combine it with Return Receipt, you also get the signature of the person who accepted it [2]. USPS lists it for First-Class Mail and Priority Mail [2].
- Price: $5.55 plus postage [1].
- Where: buy it at your Post Office. If you want a postmarked sender's receipt, hand the mail to a Postal employee [2].
- Delivery: the recipient may be asked to show ID [2].
- Options: Certified Mail Restricted Delivery, Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery are each $14.35 [1].
What does a Return Receipt cost?
A Return Receipt is a delivery record that shows the recipient's signature [2]. It is bought together with another extra service, such as Certified Mail [1].
- Hard copy by mail (green card, PS Form 3811): $4.65 [1].
- Electronic, by email: $2.91 [1]. USPS says the electronic version isn't available for APO/FPO/DPO addresses and certain U.S. territories [2].
So Certified Mail with a mailed Return Receipt is $5.55 + $4.65 = $10.20 before postage, based on Notice 123 [1].
What is Registered Mail, and how much does it cost?
USPS calls Registered Mail its service for "maximum security for your valuable items." It can be insured for up to $50,000. You buy it at a Post Office or from your Rural Carrier, hand it to a Postal employee, and get a mailing receipt. Electronic delivery verification is available on request [2].
The fee depends on the value you declare. USPS says "Customers must declare the full value" of the item [1].
| Declared value | Registered Mail fee (plus postage) |
|---|---|
| $0.00 | $20.90 |
| $0.01 to $100 | $21.50 |
| $100.01 to $500 | $25.00 |
| $500.01 to $1,000 | $28.10 |
| $1,000.01 to $2,000 | $31.20 |
| $2,000.01 to $3,000 | $34.30 |
| $3,000.01 to $4,000 | $37.40 |
| $4,000.01 to $5,000 | $40.50 |
| $5,000.01 to $50,000 | $40.50 plus $3.10 for each $1,000 (or fraction) over $5,000 |
| Over $50,000 | $180.00. Insurance compensation is limited to $50,000 |
Source: USPS Notice 123 [1]. Registered Mail Restricted Delivery is an extra $8.80 [1].
What is a Certificate of Mailing?
A Certificate of Mailing (PS Form 3817) is $2.45 [1]. It proves when you mailed something, but it has no delivery record. You can only buy it at a Post Office at the time you mail, and USPS doesn't keep a copy, so hold on to yours [2].
How much does a PO Box cost?
There's no single national price. USPS says, "Prices differ depending on your location," and not every size is available everywhere [3]. Notice 123 lists PO Box fees by "fee group" and box size, for 3-month and 6-month terms. It says the fee groups for each ZIP Code "may be found at usps.com/manage/po-boxes.htm or your local Post Office" [1].
To find the price for a specific Post Office: search by ZIP Code or address on the USPS PO Boxes page, which shows pricing and availability for each location [3]. Or ask at the Post Office counter. Varies by location; check before you apply.
| Box size | Inside dimensions |
|---|---|
| Size 1 (XS) | 3" x 5.5" |
| Size 2 (S) | 5" x 5.5" |
| Size 3 (M) | 5.5" x 11" |
| Size 4 (L) | 11" x 11" |
| Size 5 (XL) | 12" x 22.5" |
Most boxes are 14.75" deep. Sizes and depth from the USPS PO Boxes page [3].
- Rental terms: 3, 6 or 12 months. A 3-month term requires automatic renewal [3].
- How to apply: reserve and pay online, then bring the completed application and 2 forms of ID to the Post Office within 30 days to pick up your keys. You can also apply in person [3].
- How to pay: online by card, at a self-service kiosk, in person, or by mail with a check or money order payable to "U.S. Postal Service" [3]. See where to get a money order.
- Keys: Notice 123 lists a $6.00 deposit per key issued, $14.00 for each duplicate or replacement key after the first two, and $30.00 for a lock replacement or late payment [1].
- Street address: some locations let you use the Post Office's street address with your box number to get packages from other carriers, subject to availability [3].
FAQ
How much does Certified Mail cost in 2026?
$5.55 plus postage, from USPS Notice 123 effective October 4, 2026. A mailed Return Receipt adds $4.65, or $2.91 for an electronic one [1].
What's the difference between Certified Mail and Registered Mail?
Certified Mail gives proof of mailing and a delivery record for $5.55. Registered Mail is USPS's high-security service for valuable items, starts at $20.90 and can be insured for up to $50,000 [1][2].
Do I get a signature with Certified Mail?
USPS says you get the signature of the person who accepts it when Certified Mail is combined with Return Receipt [2].
Can I buy Certified Mail online?
USPS's extra services page says to buy Certified Mail at your Post Office [2]. Online purchase isn't covered there.
How much is a PO Box?
It depends on the box size and the Post Office. USPS publishes the fee tables in Notice 123 and shows the price for each location on its PO Boxes page [1][3].
What ID do I need for a PO Box?
USPS says to bring 2 forms of ID when you pick up your keys [3]. Check the USPS page for which IDs it accepts.
Related guides
- How to ship a package: USPS retail prices, UPS and FedEx rate tools, what to bring, drop-off vs pickup and tracking.
- Where to get a money order, and what it costs: USPS fees and limits, Walmart, Western Union, MoneyGram and 7-Eleven, plus cashier's checks.
- How to get a certified copy: birth, death, marriage, property and court records from the offices that issue them.
- Where to make photocopies: per-page copy prices at Staples, FedEx Office, The UPS Store, CVS and public libraries.
- Notarize and copy in one trip: which places notarize, copy and ship in the same visit, and what to bring.
- All guides
Sources
All sources last checked Oct 27, 2026. Each is a U.S. Postal Service page.
- USPS Postal Explorer, "Notice 123: Price List" (effective October 4, 2026): pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
- USPS, "Shipping Insurance and Delivery Services": usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
- USPS, "Rent a PO Box": usps.com/manage/po-boxes.htm (last checked Oct 27, 2026)