2026 USPS Certified Mail Rates
New USPS prices start July 12, 2026.
Certified Mail cost is the postage for your mailpiece plus the USPS Certified Mail fee and any optional add-ons such as a Certified Mail Return Receipt.
Current 2026 rates: a 1 oz Certified Mail letter costs $6.33 online/metered or $6.37 at the Post Office. Add Return Receipt Electronic for signature proof and the online/metered total is $9.24. Add a physical green card and the online/metered total is $10.98.
Highlights for Certified Mail users include:
- The Certified Mail fee is $5.55.
- The Return Receipt Green Card (PS Form 3811) is at $4.65.
- The Return Receipt Electronic is at $2.91.
- A 1-ounce Certified Mail letter prepared with metered or online postage and Return Receipt Electronic totals $9.24. The same 1-ounce letter purchased with stamped postage and a paper Green Card totals $11.02. That is a $1.78, or approximately 16.2%, price difference before accounting for preparation, retrieval, and storage time.
2026 Certified Mail Rates | Current Rates(effective July 12, 2026) | Jan 2026Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Mail Fee | $5.55 | $5.30 |
| Return Receipt Green Card | $4.65 | $4.40 |
| Return Receipt Electronic (PDF replaces Green Card) | $2.91 | $2.82 |
| Restricted Delivery (for Certified Mail) | $8.80 | $8.40 |
| First Class Letter Postage (1 oz) - Metered and PC Postage | $0.78 | $0.74 |
| First Class Letter Postage (1 oz) - Post Office | $0.82 | $0.78 |
| First Class Letter Postage (Additional ounces) | $0.29 | $0.29 |
| Flats (1 oz) | $1.69 | $1.63 |
| Flats (2 oz) | $1.98 | $1.92 |
| Flats (3 oz) | $2.27 | $2.21 |
| Flats (4 oz) | $2.56 | $2.50 |
Postage Rates Will Automatically Update on the SimpleCertifiedMail.com Platform
SimpleCertifiedMail.com will automatically update all USPS rates on its web-based platform on July 12th, 2026. No additional actions are required, and customers will automatically see the 2026 USPS postage rates when using the service and purchasing postage.
What Affects the Cost of Certified Mail?
Certified Mail pricing depends on four variables: the mail class you choose, the weight and size of the envelope, the Certified Mail service fee, and optional add-ons. Standard letters usually use First-Class Mail. Larger envelopes, flats, parcels, Priority Mail, Return Receipt, and Restricted Delivery can change the final price
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