Registered vs. Certified Mail
Registered mail is insured for up to $50,000.
Registered mail is available for First Class and Priority mail.
The recipient must sign for registered mail. Receipt can be confirmed by the return receipt service which includes an online notice.
Delivery of registered mail can be restricted to the addressee.
The USPS maintains the chain of custody for registered mail. It is signed for at each USPS facility it passes through and is kept separate from regular mail.
Certified mail can’t be insured and is not kept in a secure compartment like registered mail is.
Registered mail will take longer to be delivered than certified mail. Certified mail travels at the same speed as first class mail.
The USPS keeps records for certified mail for up to two years.