20+ Differences between Certified Mail and Registered Mail (Explained)

Mailing articles according to different purposes is an efficient way of sending different articles. However, while sending different articles, different people are concerned for different reasons.

For example, some are concerned about it being reached to the correct recipient, whereas others are worried about keeping the article secured. To combat these reasons, two different kinds of mail were created, and these are namely, Certified Mail and Registered Mail.

These terms sound like synonyms and are used interchangeably many times, but both have several differences, which we will explore in this article.

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Key Differences –

Certified Mail

  1. Certified Mail is concerned with making sure the shipment is delivered to the correct owner. The signature of the shipment recipient is mandatory in the case of Certified Mail. 
  2. Certified Mail uses the standard packaging for the shipment. 
  3. Certified Mail is an affordable method of mailing. 
  4. Certified Mail takes lesser time than Registered Mail to deliver the shipment. 

Registered Mail

  1. Registered Mail is concerned with making sure the shipment is secured and all right on delivery. 
  2. Proof of delivery in the form of the recipient’s signature is not mandatory in Registered Mail. 
  3. Registered Mail uses high-level packaging for the shipment. 
  4. Compared with Certified Mail, Registered Mail is an expensive mailing method.
  5. Registered Mail takes more time than Certified Mail to deliver the shipment. 

Comparison Between Certified Mail And Registered Mail

ParameterCertified MailRegistered Mail
Meaning & PurposeA United States Postal Services mailing method whose sole purpose is to assure the delivery of the shipment to the right hands. A United States Postal Services’ mailing method whose sole purpose is to assure the safety of the parcel till it reaches the recipient. 
PricingIt is a cheaper method of mailing in comparison with Registered Mail. It is an expensive method of mailing in comparison with Certified Mail. 
TimeThe delivery time of Certified Mail ranges from 1 to 8 working days. The delivery time of Registered Mail ranges from 4 to 14 working days.
Important partThe most crucial part of Certified Mail is Proof of Delivery. The most crucial part of Registered Mail is the packaging of the shipment. 
Tracking CodeUsers of Certified Mail get a 20–digit tracking code. Users of Registered Mail get a 13–digit tracking code. 
InsuranceThe insurance companies do not provide insurance coverage in Certified Mail’s case. The insurance coverage is readily available in the case of Registered Mail. 
Packaging Certified Mail uses the usual packaging. Registered Mail uses advanced packaging. 
Proof of DeliveryWithout Proof of delivery, Certified Mail has no meaning. Proof of Delivery is not mandatory in the case of Registered Mail. 
Suitable forCertified Mail is suitable for those people whose priority is ensuring their shipment reaches the right recipient.Registered Mail is suitable for those who are shipping precious items, with their priority being the shipment’s safety.

Major Differences Between Certified Mail And Registered Mail

What exactly is Certified Mail?

Certified Mail is a mailing system provided by the United States Postal Services (USPS), whose primary purpose is ensuring the shipment reaches its proper owner. Certified Mail works by taking the recipient’s signature as proof of delivery.

The Proof of Delivery is mandatory in Certified Mail as it is the sole purpose of the Certified Mail. This mailing method is suitable for those who want to ensure the correct recipient receives the desired shipment. 

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Features of Certified Mail

  1. The United States Postal Services (USPS) provides a mailing system whose sole purpose is to deliver the shipment to the right recipient. 
  2. The most important part of the Certified Mail is the Proof of Delivery. 
  3. Certified Mail delivers the shipment from 1 to 8 days, depending on your choice: First Class or Priority Mail. 
  4. It is a very budget-friendly mailing facility. 
  5. A 20-digit tracking code is sent to the sender to track the Certified Mail. 
  6. It is suitable for those who want to ensure the shipment reaches the right recipient.

What exactly is Registered Mail?

Registered Mail is a mailing system provided by the United States Postal Services (USPS), whose sole purpose is to ensure the shipment’s safety. Registered Mail takes extraordinary security measures to ensure the shipment is secured until it reaches the recipient.

This mailing method is suitable for those people who are sending something very precious & valuable and want to ensure the parcel stays secured throughout.

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Features of Registered Mail –

  1. The United States Postal Services (USPS) provides a mailing system whose sole purpose is to ensure the shipment is secured until it reaches the recipient. 
  2. The most important part of the Registered Mail is the product’s packaging. 
  3. The delivery time for Registered Mail ranges from 4 to 14 days. 
  4. It is a little expensive method of mailing. 
  5. A 13-digit tracking code is sent to the sender to track the Registered Mail. 
  6. It is suitable for those who want to ensure the shipment stays secure until it reaches the recipient. 

The Contrast Between Certified Mail And Registered Mail

Meaning

  • Certified Mail – A mailing method provided by the United States Postal (USPS) Services aims to deliver the parcel to the right person.
  • Registered Mail – A mailing method provided by the United States Postal Services (USPS) that aims to secure the parcel safely during shipping. 

Purpose

  • Certified Mail – The sole purpose of Certified Mail is to ensure the parcel reaches the right hands. 
  • Registered Mail – The sole purpose of the Registered Mail is to ensure the parcel stays secure and safe until it reaches the recipient. 

Important part

  • Certified Mail – The essential part of Certified Mail is Proof of Delivery. In this, the recipient’s signature is mandatory, and that signature acts as the Proof of Delivery. 
  • Registered Mail – The most crucial part of the Registered Mail is the ultra-protection packaging done to the shipment to make sure it stays all right. 

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What is Proof of Delivery?

Certified Mail is concerned with the correct shipment delivery to the right recipient. The recipient’s signature is taken to have Proof of it reaching the right hands. This signature acts as Proof of Delivery of Certified Mail. 

Pricing

Certified Mail – Compared to Registered Mail, this mailing method is cheaper. 

Registered Mail – Compared to Certified Mail, this mailing method is expensive. 

Time

  • Certified Mail – Certified Mail takes around 1 to 8 business days to deliver the shipment. 
  • Registered Mail – Registered Mail takes around 4 to 14 business days to deliver the shipment. 

Packaging

  • Certified Mail – There is standard packaging in the case of Certified Mail. 
  • Registered Mail – There is high-level packaging in the case of Registered Mail. 

Proof of Delivery

  • Certified Mail – Proof of Delivery is mandatory in Certified Mail; without it, this Mail has no meaning. 
  • Registered Mail – Proof of Delivery is not mandatory in the case of Registered Mail. 

Suitable for

  • Certified Mail – People who want to ensure their shipment reaches the right hands should choose Certified Mail. 
  • Registered Mail – People who are mailing valuable and precious things and want to ensure their shipment stays secure throughout should choose Registered Mail. 

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When should you choose Certified Mail over Registered Mail?

One should choose Certified Mail over Registered Mail when they are not sending anything precious that requires advanced security and are only concerned about sending it to the right recipient. 

When should you choose Registered Mail over Certified Mail?

One should choose Registered Mail over Certified Mail when sending something highly valued and precious, requiring ultra-protection. 

Tracking Code

  • Certified Mail – A 20–digit tracking code is provided to senders opting for Certified Mail. 
  • Registered Mail – A 13–digit tracking code is provided to the senders who are opting for Registered Mail. 

Insurance

Certified Mail – Insurance Companies do not provide insurance coverage for Certified Mail. 

Registered Mail – Undoubtedly, Insurance Companies do provide insurance coverage in the case of Registered Mail. 

CONCLUSION

Certified and Registered Mail are different ways of mailing provided by the United States Postal Services (USPS). Both of these methods serve other purposes for the different desires of customers.

Certified Mail ensures the shipment is handed over to the right person. Registered Mail, on the other hand, is all about ensuring the shipment stays secured until it reaches the recipient. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Q1. What are First Class and Priority Mail?

First Class Mail is a top category of Mail provided by the USPS concerned with the shipment of lightweight products. 

As the name suggests, Priority Mail is a mail provided by the USPS that is prioritized and is concerned with the shipment of lightweight and heavy-weight products. 

Q2. What are the major differences between Certified Mail and Registered Mail?

The significant differences between Certified Mail and Registered Mail are:

1. The sole purpose of Certified Mail is to ensure the shipment reaches the correct recipient, while the sole purpose of Registered Mail is to ensure the shipment stays secured and safe until it reaches the recipient. 
2. Certified Mail is an affordable shipping method, whereas Registered Mail is an expensive shipping method. 
3. Certified Mail takes lesser time to deliver the shipment, while Registered Mail takes more time to deliver the shipment. 

Q3. How many days do Certified Mail and Registered Mail take to deliver the shipment?

Certified Mail takes around 1 to 8 working days to deliver the shipment, whereas Registered Mail takes approximately 4 to 14 working days to deliver the shipment.

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