Certified Mail – Return Receipt vs Electronic Return Receipt (ERR)

What is the difference between a Return Receipt and Electronic Return Receipt (ERR)?

Actually, let’s get more specific, shall we? What are the different types of Return Receipt for Certified Mail?

There are two different ways to get a Return Receipt through the United States Postal Service (USPS) for your Certified Mail. The first is the traditional green card, also known as PS Form 3811, which the Postal Service calls a Return Receipt.

The second method is an Electronic Return Receipt (ERR). No special forms are needed to purchase or take advantage of with ERR. An Electonic Return Receipt, simply put, is an electronic version of a Return Receipt.

Do I Need a Return Receipt?

Let’s back up just a bit and point out that you may not even need a Return Receipt for your Certified Letter. A simple Certified Letter without a Return Receipt will provide tracking on USPS.com or various other websites that have access to USPS tracking data, like LetterStream.com and www.OnlineCertifiedMail.com. So, if you just want to know the status of your letter, you may not need to spring for the additional expense of a Return Receipt.

The Return Receipt, however, does give you the added information of the name and signature of the person who received your letter. This provides you with a little extra information and might help you prove that someone actually saw your letter and took it into their hands.

Return Receipt Vs Electronic Return Receipt

So, back to the differences between Return Receipts. A Return Receipt, also known as a green card, is a green pre-printed postcard that you can pick up at your local post office and apply to the back of the Certified letter you are about to mail.

You will need to add your address to the green card or the address where you’d like the green card sent after the letter gets signed for. You’ll also want to put the tracking number from the Certified Mail barcode label (PS Form 3800) on the green card as well so you will know specifically which letter the green card relates to.

After paying the extra fees for Return Receipt and attaching the form to your letter, you are ready to give the letter to the USPS and let them do their part. When they deliver your Certified letter with Return Receipt included, they will have the person who gets your letter sign the green card.

The postal carrier will then take the green card back to the USPS and put it in the mail so it will be returned to the sender. If all goes well, you’ll have your green card back in no time (or maybe longer, just depends).

The process gets a bit simpler with Electronic Return Receipt. You simply tell the USPS cashier that you’d like to send your Certified Letter with ERR. No extra forms are required, but there is a charge for this service. The cashier will scan the Certified Mail barcode (PS Form 3800) that you’ve placed on your letter. This tracking number will appear on your USPS receipt along with the fees for Electronic Return Receipt. You will then be able to use this tracking number to check the status of your Certified letter.

Collecting a Signature

When the mail carrier delivers your Certified letter, they will collect a signature either on the green card or on their digital tracking pad. When they get back to their office, they will either scan it into their computer system or they will download the signatures from their digital tracking pad.

Once the signature is in their computer system, they will create an electronic document/letter providing details of the delivery. It will show the date the letter was delivered and include the signature of the person who received the letter. If you choose to send it as a Return Receipt, the green card will get mailed back to you. If Electronic Return Receipt is choosen, this document will not be mailed to you; however, you can go to USPS.com, enter the 20-digit tracking number from your receipt and request the signature via email when it is available.

If you choose to mail you Certified letter, either through LetterStream or OnlineCertifiedMail.com then you can access a copy of the Electronic Return Receipt right in your online portal.

Is There a Difference Legally?

Some people want to know if there is a difference in the legal authority of a green card compared to an ERR. Long ago the USPS claimed on their website that there was no legal difference, however, they soon discovered that they are not the judge of that. Instead, the ultimate authority belongs to the local judge who gets to determine whether they are the same or not.

From our experience, the Electronic Return Receipt is accepted by most judges. We haven’t heard even a rumor of a judge tossing out the ERR as valid proof of delivery. If in doubt, we suggest that you contact the local authorities and see if they can confirm that an ERR is just as binding as a green card.

To sum it up, Return Receipt and Electonic Return Receipt both provide the same value when it comes to the added information of the name and signature of the person receiving your Certificated letter. One actually just is a bit more convenient than the other.

What Does My Tracking Information Mean?

What Do Certified Mail Tracking Numbers Mean?

Using your LetterStream account you are able to track the entire process of your created Certified Mail – from job creation to successful delivery, and all other statuses in between.

Although we want nothing but the best for our customers, LetterStream cannot guarantee the success of a delivery or timeliness to your intended recipients since this is dependent upon the United States Postal Service (USPS). We do, however, offer real-time transit status and tracking information for each piece of Certified Mail, which provided directly from the USPS.

Here is a breakdown of the various status levels along the journey:

Mailed: Your Certified Mail piece has been printed, inserted into envelopes, and given to the USPS for processing and to attempt to be delivered. This begins the transit stage of your Certified Mail. Mailed pieces shouldn’t be confused with Delivered mail, as “mailed” simply means that your letter(s) are in the mail stream/system.

In Transit: Your Certified Mail is in the hands of the USPS. At this point, we are at the mercy of the USPS in regard to a successful delivery to the intended recipient.

Delivery Attempted: Delivery to the intended recipient has been attempted. The Post Office likely left a notice of attempted delivery for the recipient with instructions on how and where the item can be received.

Unclaimed By Recipient: After attempts of delivery had been unsuccessful, and the recipient does not make an attempt to receive the item, the status is changed to “Unclaimed By Recipient.”

Refused By Recipient: If the intended recipient refuses to accept and/or sign for the mail piece, the status is changed to “Refused By Recipient” and is returned to the sender.

Returned To Sender: In the event the mail piece is undeliverable due to a bad address, the recipient is no longer at the address, etc., then the status is changed to “Returned To Sender.”

Delivered: Your Certified Mail was successfully delivered to the recipient, and a signature was acquired. Once this status is achieved and the USPS gives you access to the electronic signature file, you can view the signature by clicking the “View” link to the right of the status indicators for each recipient.

You will also see 3 status boxes next to each recipient within your LetterStream account. These are color-coded by status.

See below for the color that represents the corresponding status:

White – No action has occurred, or the Post Office has not updated the tracking information

Lime Green – Recent status updated successfully

Light Yellow – Unclaimed/Business Closed

Orange – Out for Delivery/Attempted

Violet – Forwarded

Pink – Returned to Sender

Dark Green – Returned (2nd box will be pink)

Red – Refused (2nd box will be pink)

These rules are applied to the tracking status bar at the top of the page as well.

Never be out of the loop along the journey.

Official USPS And LetterStream 2023 Holiday Schedule

Here’s a handy link to the 2023 USPS Postal Holidays and LetterStream Holiday Schedule. We’ve also included important USPS early closing days which are not typically spelled out on the USPS Postal Holidays web page.

One more important mention; most USPS retail counters close early on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, so make sure you call ahead and/or plan accordingly. In conjunction, LetterStream will also be closing early on both of those days.

Proposed USPS Price Updates For July, 2023

proposed_usps_postage_rate_increase_july_2023 The USPS (United States Postal Service) has submitted new price requests to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), and the new rates will go into effect on July 9th, 2023. These rates are still under review, but the USPS typically gets what they ask for.

In similar fashion to the last postage increase, the price of a first-class stamp will be raised by three cents again. Below are the other notable changes that will have an impact on some of the other products LetterStream has to offer:

First Class Letters (1 oz.) are going up, from $.63 up to $.66 cents
First Class Flats are going up, from $1.26 to $1.35
Certified Mail is going up, from $4.15 to $4.35
Certified ERR is going up, from $2.10 to $2.20
International Letters (1 oz.) are going up, from $1.45 up to $1.50
Domestic Postcards are going from $.48 up, to $.51
International Postcards are going from $1.45 up, to $1.50
Extra Ounces staying at $.24
Registered Mail is going up, from $24.35 to $25.90

If you’re looking for an electronic way to send your statements, we provide an email delivery service (eDoc Delivery), which allows you to send your documents via email directly through your LetterStream account. This can be done in place of real mail or in addition to your real mail. Click here for more information.

For more information regarding this price increase, visit the USPS website or download the complete list of July 2023 USPS rate changes.

Visit our website for more information about LetterStream and how to send your mail online without ever touching a piece of paper.

Pro tip:  if you want to get the old pricing but don’t want your mailing to go out before July 10th, you can always use our schedule job option to schedule your job to be mailed on a future date!

USPS Pricing Updates – January 2023

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The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has approved the January 2023 price increase for a number of products and services that the USPS offers, and the new rates will go into effect on Sunday, January 22, 2023.

The price of a first-class stamp will be raised by three cents. Below are the other notable changes that will have an impact on some of the products LetterStream has to offer:

First Class postage is going up 3 cents; from .60 to .63
Certified mail is going up 15 cents; from 4.00 to 4.15
Certified ERR (Electronic Return Receipt) is going up 10 cents; from 2.00 to 2.10
First Class flats are going up 6 cents; from 1.20 to 1.26
Postcards are going up 4 cents; from .44 to .48
Extra Ounces (Letters) are going up 4 cents; from .20 to .24
International postage is going up 5 cents; from 1.40 to 1.45
Registered mail is going up .80; from 18.25 to 19.05
Standard/Marketing mail is going up 4 cents; from .26 to .30

If you’re looking for an electronic way to send your statements, we provide an email delivery service (eDoc Delivery), which allows you to send your documents via email – directly through your LetterStream account. This can be done in place of, or in addition to, your real mail. Click here for more information.

For more information regarding this price increase, visit the USPS website or download the complete list of January 2023 USPS rate changes.

Visit our website for more information about LetterStream and how to send your mail online without ever touching a piece of paper.

USPS Raises Postage Rates Twice in 2022

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For the second year in a row, the US Postal Service is raising their prices twice within a single year.

The USPS traditionally issues a price update annually (at the beginning of each year). However, moving forward they will implement price updates on a semi-annual basis (in January and July), starting in 2022.

The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has approved the 2022 mid-year price increase for a number of products and services that the USPS offers, and the new rates will go into effect at Midnight on Sunday, July 10, 2022.

The price of a first-class stamp will be raised by two cents. Below are the other notable changes that will have an impact on some of the products LetterStream has to offer:

First Class postage is going up 2 cents; from .58 to .60
Certified mail is going up 25 cents; from 3.75 to 4.00
Certified ERR (Electronic Return Receipt) is going up 15 cents; from 1.85 to 2.00
First Class flats are going up 4 cents; from 1.20 to 1.24
Postcards are going up 4 cents; from .40 to .44
Extra Ounces (Letters) are staying the same at 20 cents
Extra Ounces (Flats) are going up 4 cents; from .20 to .24
International postage is going up 10 cents; from 1.30 to 1.40
Registered mail is going up 1.10; from 17.15 to 18.25
Standard/Marketing mail is going up 2 cents; from .24 to .26

For those who rely on LetterStream as their valued print and mail partner, the new rates will go into effect at 4pm the last business day before the USPS implements their new prices (July 8th, 2022).  This is because orders that are received after 4pm Pacific Time will not be mailed until the new rates are in effect on Monday.

For more information regarding this price increase, visit the USPS website or download the complete list of August 2022 USPS rate changes.

Visit our website for more information about LetterStream and how to send your mail online without ever touching a piece of paper.

Why You Should Outsource Your Corporate Mail

A lot of organizations these days are trying to find ways to do less in the office. In a post-pandemic world, many companies have switched over to remote working styles, allowing their employees to work from home full-time. Without a collective office space, getting regular business mail out to your clients has become a challenge.

Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the amount of people coming into the office to perform outbound mailing operations at your company and let print and mailing companies do all the work instead. LetterStream has developed virtual mailroom services that allow you to outsource your printing and mailing all online.

You’ll be surprised to learn that our process is actually less complicated than sending an email and a lot easier than trying to communicate your needs to a traditional mailing company. LetterStream is here to make sure your corporate mailings are prepared correctly and that all your mail will be sent out to your clients on time.

What Is Outsourcing?

Companies may outsource services for a lot of different reasons. Instead of obtaining a product or service from an internal source, businesses hire someone outside of the company to do it instead. These third-party sources typically help perform operational tasks or other essential services or products that companies need help with.

Many companies choose to outsource certain tasks to lower their business costs and improve production efficiency. Third parties may also be independent contractors or experts in the field that can provide valuable advice and methods for performing operational tasks properly or more efficiently.

5 Reasons to Outsource Your Corporate Mail

Here are some reasons why you should consider outsourcing your corporate mail to LetterStream.

1. Reduce Business Expenses

Automated solutions for critical mail can help to lower business costs and expenses by offering competitive pricing that saves you money in the long run. Operating a mailroom internally can become very costly, especially considering the high price associated with equipment costs, paper, ink, toner, supplies, and maintenance. You should also consider the downtime and money associated with equipment problems that need to be fixed.

Performing mail operations can also take up a lot of your team’s time internally, as well as use up office space—or home space, if you’re working remotely. Outsourcing your corporate mail to a virtual mailroom can help maximize internal efficiency and ensure that necessary mail is sent in a timely manner.

Third-party online mail services are also trained and have specialized expertise in mail management. Any mail-related business functions can be handled by someone else, so your employees don’t have to worry about it on their to-do list. Your business will save money in the long run by allowing a high-tech mailing service to use an automated and cost-efficient system.

Instead of allowing mailing operations to detract from your overall business objectives, you can reinvest the money you save in the long run back into your business. Fortunately, LetterStream has no upfront costs, and we guarantee that you will save money right away, even by sending just one letter.

2. Improve Customer Service

There’s no doubt that your customers are important to you. Your business is more likely to be remembered when it can provide excellent customer service, making your customers more likely to come back.

When you utilize a virtual mailroom, you can maintain a critical business flow while still providing professionalism and top-notch service to your clients. By outsourcing your corporate mail, you have the freedom to focus on what’s most important—your customers. You can enhance the customer experience and ensure your employees are giving them first-rate customer service.

3. Reduce Mishandled Mail

A virtual mailroom can help maintain mail security and reduce any error that could potentially occur in traditional mailing operations. Many third-party mailing services typically have access to high-level security systems that your business wouldn’t be able to afford if your mailing system was done internally.

When sending mail to your clients, security and safety are huge concerns. You must uphold and protect any confidential information in order to keep your customers and stay out of legal trouble. If you outsource your corporate mail, it will be delivered to an off-site, secure facility that can more thoroughly protect against mail threats or information breaches.

Fewer hands on your corporate mail also means avoiding any of it getting lost or stolen. Outsourcing your mailing services creates a risk-free environment for your business, saving you time and money.

4. Software As a Service

Outsourcing your mail gives you full insight into the mailing process, including incoming and outgoing mail. You can improve and accelerate the mailing process, resulting in happier customers and more money for your business.

LetterStream offers both first-class mailing and bulk or standard mailing. With our multi-level user portal, you can track your letter and see where it’s at in the process until it reaches its designated mail carrier.

At the USPS, all important documents must be sent as first-class mail. Unfortunately, the Post Office does not track first-class mail, but you can see in your LetterStream portal if your letter has reached the Post Office yet or not.

5. Scalable for Your Business Needs

LetterStream works with the USPS and FedEx to help reduce postage fees. No matter how large or small your business is, we can easily mail any items to fit your needs.

Third-party mailing services can also provide reporting on all mailed items and mailing processes to help reduce areas of unnecessary waste in materials or time. With more effective and streamlined processes, you will save more money in the long run.

Using LetterStream to Outsource Your Corporate Mail

LetterStream has developed a very modern portal that allows you to upload your mailings in just a few minutes; after that, we take care of the rest! We can operate based on your specifications in a timely and helpful manner.

Most of our corporate clients can upload their documents exactly as they were exported from their accounting or corporate software. Exporting to a PDF will allow you to load your files directly into our system without talking to our Sales or Customer Service teams—although, they’re here to help if you need them!

LetterStream can extract addresses right out of your PDF, creating an online address book that’s personalized just for you. Along with PDF files, we also accept mailing and address lists via Excel spreadsheet.

We want our mailing process to be easy and work well with you and your business, so we are flexible and will try to help in any way possible. We have countless administrative and power-user features that allow you to set up different user roles, define departments, run reports, and automatically notify others when a mailing has gone out.

Instead of going to the post office, send a letter by outsourcing your corporate mailing processes. LetterStream can help eliminate the frustrations of mailing internally in your company. Our Customer Service team is also stellar in assisting users who need a little extra guidance along the way.

If you’re looking for a company to outsource your corporate mailing through, or you want to learn more information about our mailing processes, LetterStream is here for you. Contact us today at 1-888-501-5288.

USPS Raises Postage Rates Twice In 2021

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For the first time in 20 years, the US Postal Service is raising their prices twice within a single year.

The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has approved a mid-year price increase for a number of products and services that the USPS offers. The new rates will go into effect at Midnight on Sunday, August 29, 2021.

Below are some of the notable changes impacting letters, postcards and certified mail:

First Class stamps are going up 3 cents; from $.55 to $.58
Certified mail fees are going up 15 cents; from $3.60 to $3.75
Electronic Return Receipt for Certified letters is going up 10 cents; from $1.75 to $1.85
Flats (large envelopes) are going up 16 cents; from $1.00 to $1.16
Postcards are going up 4 cents; from $.36 to $.40
International postage is going up 10 cents; from $1.20 to $1.30
Extra ounces are staying the same at $.20 per extra ounce (for letters and flats)

For individuals and businesses who rely on LetterStream as their valued print and mail partner, the new rates will go into effect at 4pm the last business day before the USPS implements their new prices. This is because orders received after 4pm Pacific Time will not mail until the new rates are in effect on Monday.

As a reminder, LetterStream rarely raises our prices. We simply increase our prices by the amount of the annual (in this case, semi-annual) USPS rate increases.

For more information regarding this price increase, visit the USPS website or download the complete list of August 2021 USPS rate changes.

Visit our website for more information about LetterStream and how to send your mail online without ever touching a piece of paper.

Pro tip: if you want to get the old pricing but don’t want your mailing to go out before August 30th, you can always use our schedule job option to schedule your job to be mailed on a future date!

USPS Postage Rates 2021

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The proposed price changes that the United States Postal Service (USPS) filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) on October 9th were approved. Starting on January 24th, 2021, these new USPS prices officially went into effect.

The good news is that there wasn’t an increase in cost for First-Class Mail postage, but there was an increase in some other products. Here’s the list of some items that were unchanged by the 2021 rates:

First-Class stamps staying at $0.55
International Rates are staying the same at $1.20
Registered Mail staying the same at $12.60

Here’s the list of some items that did see an increase:

Certified mail fee went up from $3.55 to $3.60
Electronic Return Receipt fee went up from $1.70 to $1.75
Extra Ounces went up from $0.15 per ounce to $.20 per ounce
First-Class Postcard Rate went up from $0.35 to $.36

Sorry, this year we didn’t find any fees that went down for the products that we offer.

We should remind you that LetterStream rarely raises our prices. We simply modify our prices according to the USPS rate changes each year, and you can expect the same this year as well.

Review the USPS press release for January 2021 USPS postage rates.
Review and download the complete list of January 2021 USPS rate changes.

COVID-19 & Holiday Mail Delivery

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It has been a while since our last COVID-19 update, but that’s because nothing much has changed in our protocols or a capability to process mail. Our systems remain strong despite large increases in web traffic and our team remains healthy because of the many safety measures that we’ve been operating under.

We do have some concerns however about how the United States Postal Service will keep up with the increase in mail volume this December. There are large increases in package deliveries this year as shoppers avoid stores and shop online due to the Cornavirus. These packages will take up truck and delivery vehicle space and may limit the amount of mail or the speed at which mail can be delivered. We are already seeing our inbound freight shipments being delayed. That said, we encourage all our customers to send mail early this year for timely delivery.

While not promoted heavily on our website, we do offer electronic delivery of documents in the event you have email addresses for your recipients. If interested, please contact our support staff or your sales representative.