What Is The Difference Between Certified Mail & Certificate of Mail?
Certified mail and certificate of mail are two different proofs of mailing provided by the post office and the USPS. These two direct mail services are commonly mistaken to be the same tool, but are very different in their functions and fees.
What is certified mail?
Certified mail is the direct mail service provided by the USPS that will track a direct mail campaign and the individual mail pieces to the last post office who will receive, process and mail the certified mail out for you. The direct mail campaign will receive a list of the names and addresses along with a tracking number for each mailer. It is a service similar to the UPS or FEDEX where there is a tracking number, but it is different because it doesn't track the delivery but only the processing at the last post office before mailing.
Certified mail is far more expensive than certificate of mail at a cost slightly under $5.00 per piece just for the certified mail services. There will be additional costs for the printing, fulfillment and mailing that you will have to pay for the direct mail house to help you out. Certified mail is commonly used for law firms, HOAs, businesses and organizations that are required to utilize this mailing services for compliance reasons and provide tracking and a proof of mailing at the end of the direct mail campaign.
What is a certificate of mail?
Certificate of mail is the proof of mailing that is provided by the mail house at the end of the campaign. The fee is a flat $10 that is added on to the overall campaign costs including the printing, postage, data management and mailing. There is no tracking information but a signed document will be provided and serve as the proof of mailing. Both services are used for compliance and direct mail campaigns that require a proof of mailing BUT no tracking.
Who can assist me with my certified mal or certificate of mail campaign?
The Addressers has over 40 years assisting businesses and nonprofits of all sizes nationwide and locally with their compliance direct mail campaigns that require a certificate of mail or certified mail. Our staff takes pride in quickly handling our clients' certificate of mail and certified mail services in just a few days.
We believe our pricing is very competitive with swift turnaround capabilities. We love making it easy for our clients and community.
Reach out to the Addressers for all your certified mail, certificate of mail and all your direct mail needs!
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