How to Send Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested

Member

By cinnamongirl
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (36 Ratings)

Send Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested

It is important to used certified mail to send legal letters. This is very important when sending a letter of demand. It is also necessary when disputing items on your credit report, or communicating with a debt collector.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

postal forms 3800, and 3211
paper and envelope
$5.54 in postage

Step 1

You need forms 3800 and 3811 You can pick these up at the US Post Office or order forms on-line at USPS.com USPS will ship them for free. Make sure you do this before you write your letter.
Step 2

Write your letter. Select a certified mail form and include the article number in the letter.
Step 3

Write the address you are sending this letter to on your certified mail form.
Step 4

Detach the slim sticker with the article number and affix it to the bottom of the green return receipt card.
Step 5

Write the TO: address on the front of the green return receipt card. Put your address on the back. The Green Return receipt is clearly marked. I have made a template for printing the green cards on your home computer.
Step 6

Put your letter in the envelope and seal it. Address the envelope as you would normally. Remove the backing from the sticker part of the certified mail form and stick it on the front of the envelope so that the words certified mail, and the bar code are visible on the front. Don't cover the mailing address with the sticker. You will cover the mailing address with the detachable part of the certified mail form.
Step 7

You need pay for postage ($5.32). You can do this at the post office or on-line. There is more than one on-line postage service, Endicia will print the postage on the envelope so you don't need to buy additional stickers or such.