When sending important correspondence, having documented proof that your mail was actually sent is often as critical as the contents of the letter itself. An Affidavit of Mailing is one of the most useful tools for establishing that proof, especially when compliance, legal deadlines, or internal policies require formal documentation.
This page explains:
- What an Affidavit of Mailing is
- How it differs from a Certificate of Mailing and Certified Mail
- When and why you might use one
- How Send Certified Mail handles Affidavits of Mailing automatically
What Is an Affidavit of Mailing?
An Affidavit of Mailing is a signed declaration by the sender verifying that a specific document or set of documents was mailed to a named recipient on a given date. Unlike documentation issued by the United States Postal Service (USPS), an affidavit is created by the sender, and often notarized, to provide an additional layer of sworn testimony about the act of mailing itself.
The affidavit typically includes:
- The sender’s name and address
- The mailing date
- A description of the documents sent
- The addressee’s name and address
- The sender’s signature (often under oath)
Affidavits of Mailing are accepted in many courts, agency filings, and compliance settings as reliable evidence that mail was properly sent.
How Is an Affidavit of Mailing Different from a Certificate of Mailing?
Both a Certificate of Mailing and an Affidavit of Mailing provide proof that you placed mail into the U.S. mail stream, but they come from different sources and serve slightly different purposes:
|
Feature |
Certificate of Mailing |
Affidavit of Mailing |
|
Issued by |
USPS |
Sender |
|
Proof of mailing date |
✔ USPS postmark |
✔ Signed statement |
|
Proof of delivery |
❌ |
❌ |
|
Tracking |
❌ (unless paired with other services) |
❌ |
|
Notarized option |
❌ |
✔ Optional |
|
Use case |
Legal & regulated mailings requiring USPS proof |
Internal compliance, courts accepting sworn statements |
Certificate of Mailing is an official USPS document showing the date your mail was accepted, whereas an Affidavit of Mailing is the sender’s sworn statement that the mailing occurred.
Certificate of Mailing vs. Affidavit of Mailing: Which Proof of Mailing Is Right for You?
When Should You Use an Affidavit of Mailing?
An Affidavit of Mailing is especially useful when:
- USPS-issued documentation isn’t required, but internal compliance or legal policy calls for verified proof
- A court or agency explicitly accepts affidavits as valid evidence
- You need an additional record to support your compliance trail
- You’re managing records for audits or regulatory reviews
- You need a sworn statement to accompany statutory filings
In many situations, an affidavit isn’t required, especially when tracking or delivery confirmation is available, but it can strengthen your proof of mailing when needed.
Sample Scenarios Where Affidavits Help
An Affidavit of Mailing may be appropriate in:
- Legal filings where documentation must show mailing took place by a statutory deadline
- Lease termination notices where internal policy requires sworn proof
- Regulatory responses to agencies that accept affidavits rather than postal certificates
- Internal compliance checks within large organizations
- HR or benefits correspondence where proof of dispatch protects against disputes
Since the affidavit carries a signed or notarized statement, it provides an extra layer of attestable evidence that can complement other mailing documentation.
How Send Certified Mail Handles Affidavits of Mailing
At Send Certified Mail, we’re proud to offer Affidavits of Mailing as a complimentary service. These affidavits serve as an official record that your letter was printed, packed, and mailed with the United States Postal Service (USPS) through our platform.
We generate and archive them as part of your online mailings, giving you powerful documentation without extra steps.
Here’s what you get:
- Affidavit of Mailing: A signed declaration affirming that your document was mailed to the intended recipient.
- Notarization: Notarized affidavits are included.
- 10-Year Digital Archive: All affidavits are stored securely for ten years and can be accessed anytime for audit, regulatory, or legal purposes.
- No Extra Cost: Send Certified Mail is proud to offer Affidavits of Mailing without additional fees.
This layered proof, including USPS postmarked Certificates of Mailing plus sworn Affidavits of Mailing, gives senders a complete documentation trail that supports compliance across industries.
Affidavit of Mailing vs. Certified Mail
It’s important to distinguish an Affidavit of Mailing from Certified Mail:
- Certified Mail provides USPS tracking, delivery documentation, and, if selected, a signature receipt.
- An Affidavit of Mailing does not provide tracking or delivery proof; instead, it verifies the act of mailing in a sworn statement.
Often, the strongest compliance strategy uses both. Certified Mail for delivery and tracking evidence and an Affidavit for sworn confirmation of mailing.
Together, they provide layered proof that meets legal, regulatory, and internal standards.
Why Affidavits Matter for Compliance and Records
In environments where documentation is scrutinized, such as legal proceedings, agency audits, tax disputes, or regulatory reviews, having a robust trail of proof protects your organization.
An affidavit:
- Offers sworn evidence of mailing
- Strengthens your documentation beyond standard receipts
- Can be accepted where USPS documentation alone may not suffice
Because it is signed and, if needed, notarized, it holds weight in many administrative and legal contexts.
Get Started with Affidavits of Mailing Today
Send Certified Mail makes it effortless to generate powerful proof of mailing. Whether you’re sending a single statutory notice or hundreds of compliance letters each month, we help you:
- Secure USPS postmarked Certificates of Mailing
- Generate signed Affidavits of Mailing
- Store all documentation securely in a 10-year digital archive
Skip the trip to the mail room and Post Office. No manual forms. Just reliable proof when you need it most.
