Can You Turn Down Certified Mail?

Certified mail service is used to provide the sender with proof that an item was sent. When return receipt service is added, the sender will also have proof that the item was received by the addressee. Unlike process servers, U.S. Postal Service employees are not part of the legal system.

Reasoning

Mailers purchase certified mail service when sending items that they consider to be important. These can often include contracts, bills and legal notices.

Considerations

Sending certified mail only proves that the item was sent; not that it was received. Recipients are in no way required to sign for items that they do not want.

Process

If you inform your letter carrier that you do not wish to sign for certified mail, the item will be returned to the sender with a "Refused" endorsement.

Option

If you don't want the mail to go back with the refused endorsement, instruct your letter carrier to leave you a delivery notice, Form PS3849. Your local post office will hold the item for 15 days and then return it with an "unclaimed" endorsement.

Decision

You may be on a first-name basis with your letter carrier, and asking for a notice instead of simply signing for the certified item may seem awkward. Your letter carrier is a professional and will understand that you may need time to decide whether to accept a certified letter.

References

• USPS.com: Certified Mail Information