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How to get Proof First Class Mail is Delivered to the Post Office

Joshua Lazarus

A Certificate of Mailing (Form 3606) is a service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that provides evidence of when a mailpiece was presented to the USPS for mailing. It is used to prove that you mailed an item on a specific date and is often used as a form of documentation or proof in various situations.

Here's how the Certificate of Mailing (Form 3606) works:

  1. Requesting the Certificate: To obtain a Certificate of Mailing, you need to fill out Form 3606 at your local post office or mail processing facility. You can also complete the form online if you are using certain USPS mailing services, such as First-Class Mail or Priority Mail.

  2. Date of Mailing: You must present the mailpiece to the USPS for mailing, and they will apply a date stamp to the Certificate of Mailing, indicating the date and time the item was accepted.

  3. Proof of Mailing: The Certificate of Mailing serves as proof that you deposited the mailpiece with the USPS on the specified date. It does not provide tracking or delivery confirmation like Certified Mail or other services.

  4. Purpose: The Certificate of Mailing is commonly used for legal and business purposes, especially when you need to demonstrate that you sent a specific item, such as important documents or time-sensitive correspondence, by a certain date.

  5. Coverage: The Certificate of Mailing is generally available for First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service, Media Mail, Library Mail, and Bound Printed Matter.

It's important to note that the Certificate of Mailing does not guarantee delivery or provide any tracking information beyond the date of acceptance. If you require proof of delivery or tracking services, you may want to consider using Certified Mail, Registered Mail, or other USPS services that offer those features. Additionally, the availability and specific details of USPS services may change over time, so it's best to check with your local post office or the USPS website for the most up-to-date information and requirements regarding the Certificate of Mailing (Form 3606).