Proof & return receipts
Who can sign for certified mail, and can I restrict it?
Updated · By the Certified Letter Online team
Regular Certified Mail can be signed for by the addressee or someone acting for them, such as a family member at the address or a company's mailroom or receptionist. If only the named person (or their authorized agent) may receive it, USPS sells Restricted Delivery, which requires the addressee to be an individual named on the envelope.
For letters to companies, an ordinary signature by a mailroom employee is normal and usually what a notice clause expects. Restricted Delivery is mainly for notices that must reach one specific person.
| Option | Who may sign | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Mail | Addressee or their agent at the address | Letters to companies, agencies, landlords, most notices |
| Certified Mail + Return Receipt | Same, and you get the signature copy | Proving who received it and when |
| Certified Mail Restricted Delivery | Only the named individual or their authorized agent (USPS may ask for ID) | Notices that must reach one person |
| Adult Signature Restricted Delivery | Named addressee or authorized agent aged 21+ | Age-restricted shipments (packages) |
Addressing so the right person signs
- Use the exact legal name of the company and the notice or registered-agent address. See where to send a certified letter to a company.
- Add an "Attn:" line for the department (for example Cancellations or Legal) when the contract names one.
- Restricted Delivery only works for a natural person named on the envelope, not a company (USPS DMM 503).
What we offer
We mail Certified Mail and Certified Mail with electronic return receipt. We don't currently offer Restricted Delivery; if your rule requires it, buy it at a Post Office.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, a legal aid office or a licensed attorney in your state can tell you what applies.
Quick answers
Does the recipient have to sign for certified mail?
A signature is collected at delivery, but it can be the addressee or an agent. If nobody is available, USPS leaves a notice and holds the letter.
Can a receptionist sign for certified mail to a company?
Yes. A company's employees and mailroom routinely sign for certified mail, and that delivery is recorded to the company.
Is Restricted Delivery worth it for a cancellation letter?
Usually not. A cancellation goes to a company, and Restricted Delivery requires a named individual. Certified Mail with a return receipt is the usual choice.
What to do next
Send your letter Certified with return receipt for $17.99 and get the signature PDF by email.
Send a certified letterSources
- USPS Domestic Mail Manual 503: Extra Services (Certified Mail, Return Receipt, Certificate of Mailing)
- USPS: Insurance & Extra Services
Checked: . General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change: confirm current values at the official links above.