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Common Terms

Certified Mail

Certified mail provides a receipt to the sender and a record of delivery at the office of address. This service does not reimburse for loss or damage.

Express Mail

Express mail is overnight to most locations. We must have it in Mail Services by 1pm to get in that day's mail.

First-Class Mail

First-class mail is the most common. Plan on five to seven business days for delivery locally or seven to ten business days for out-of-state mail.

Insured Mail

The sender may obtain payment of loss, rifling or damage. Coverage may not exceed $5,000. Mail Services has the appropriate forms for insured mail.

Media Mail

For sending small and large packages of books, films, manuscripts, sound recordings, videotapes and computer readable media such as CDs, DVDs and diskettes. Price is based on weight and can be significantly lower than the cost of first class.

Registered Mail

This is the safest and most secure of all mail classes. Registered mail must be signed for by every person that touches the mail piece.

Return Receipts

A return receipt is a personal proof of delivery for the sender. It is signed upon delivery of the mail it is attached to and returned to the sender. It is used on domestic certified mail.

Note: Our Mail Services Shop has most of the appropriate forms for these special services.