The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a range of shipping options for customers, including options for signature confirmation. Signature confirmation is a service that requires a signature from the recipient to confirm the delivery of a package. This service is optional, and not all USPS shipping options require it. In this article, we will discuss the circumstances under which USPS requires signature confirmation and how it works.

What is Signature Confirmation?

Signature confirmation is a service offered by USPS that requires the recipient of a package to provide their signature to confirm delivery. This service is available for domestic and international packages and is an optional add-on to certain USPS shipping options.

When the recipient receives the package, they are required to sign for it. The USPS delivery personnel may also leave the package at the doorstep if they think it is safe and do not need a signature from the recipient.

USPS will send a notification to the sender once the package has been delivered and signed for. The sender can track the package using USPS tracking and confirmation services.

When is Signature Confirmation Required?

USPS requires signature confirmation under certain circumstances. Some of the instances include:

1. Value of the package: USPS requires signature confirmation for packages valued over $500. This applies to all USPS shipping options, including Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service, and Priority Mail Express.
2. Delivery Confirmation: Signature confirmation is also required for delivery confirmation, which is a service that tracks the delivery of the package. USPS offers delivery confirmation as part of their Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and First-Class Mail services.
3. Restricted delivery: USPS requires signature confirmation for restricted delivery packages. Restricted delivery packages are those that are only delivered to the recipient or their authorized agent.
4. Adult signature required: USPS requires signature confirmation for packages that contain restricted items such as firearms, ammunition, explosives, and hazardous materials. This is to ensure that the package is delivered to an adult who is authorized to receive such items.
5. International packages: Signature confirmation is required for international packages that are sent using Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International.
6. Sender’s request: USPS also offers signature confirmation as an optional service that the sender can request for their package. This is especially useful if the package contains valuable items that the sender wants to ensure are delivered and received by the intended recipient.

How Does Signature Confirmation Work?

When a package requires signature confirmation, the recipient must sign for it upon delivery. The USPS delivery personnel will not leave the package at the doorstep without a signature from the recipient.

If the recipient is not available to sign for the package, USPS will leave a delivery notice indicating the time and date of the attempted delivery. The recipient can then pick up the package from the local post office or schedule a redelivery.

USPS will make three delivery attempts before returning the package to the sender. If the package is not claimed within a certain period, it will be returned to the sender.

The sender can track the package using USPS tracking and confirmation services. Once the package has been delivered and signed for, USPS will send a notification to the sender.

Conclusion

USPS offers signature confirmation as an optional service for certain shipping options. Signature confirmation is required for packages valued over $500, delivery confirmation, restricted delivery packages, adult signature required packages, international packages, and packages that the sender has requested signature confirmation for.

When a package requires signature confirmation, the recipient must sign for it upon delivery. If the recipient is not available to sign for the package, USPS will leave a delivery notice indicating the time and date of the attempted delivery. The recipient can then pick up the package from the local post office or schedule a redelivery.

USPS will make three delivery attempts before returning the package to the sender. If the package is not claimed within a certain period, it will be returned to the sender.