USPS Certified Mail forms: PS Form 3800 and PS Form 3811

Certified Mail forms and records

Return Receipt is an add-on to an eligible service, not included in the Certified Mail fee. These are USPS retail artifacts, not documents downloadable from IRIS order status.

Prepare retail Certified Mail

1. Address the mailpiece.

   Use a complete delivery address and return address, and make sure the contents and mailpiece are eligible for the underlying USPS mail class.

2. Complete PS Form 3800.

   Use the fields printed on the current form. Keep the receipt portion after USPS accepts the mailpiece.

3. Choose a Return Receipt only if needed.

   For a hardcopy record, complete PS Form 3811 as labeled. For an electronic record, request the electronic Return Receipt when it is available for the destination.

4. Present the mailpiece at a Post Office.

   USPS instructs retail customers to purchase Certified Mail at the Post Office. Ask the clerk to check form placement before acceptance.

5. Use the tracking number.

   Retain the mailing receipt and enter its tracking number on USPS Tracking to review available events.

USPS retail fees effective July 12, 2026

These are extra-service fees. Postage for the underlying mail class is additional.

Understand what the records establish

Certified Mail can document USPS acceptance and later available tracking when you actually obtain the receipt or events. An eligible Return Receipt can add a separate delivery-signature record. IRIS shows provider-reported status and tracking when available, not a postmarked USPS receipt or Return Receipt artifact. None of these records proves the contents were complete, legally sufficient, or accepted by an agency.

Rules for evidence and filing deadlines depend on the court, agency, contract, or other authority involved. Check that authority's current instructions before deciding which service and receipt channel to use.