Can You Send Certified Mail Through UPS?

In our article Can You Send Certified Mail the Same Day?, we explained how Certified Mail works and why the Unites States Postal Service (USPS) is the only provider authorized to offer it. But what if you prefer to use UPS for your deliveries? Can you send Certified Mail through UPS?

The short answer: No. Certified Mail is a USPS-only service. But there’s more to the story and alternatives you might consider.

Why Certified Mail Is USPS-Only

Certified Mail® is an official USPS service that:

Provides proof of mailing and delivery
Includes tracking and optional Return Receipts
Is recognized by courts and government agencies

UPS, FedEx, and DHL offer their own tracking and delivery confirmation services, but these are not the same as USPS Certified Mail and may not meet legal or compliance requirements.

What UPS Can Offer Instead

UPS provides:

Tracking and delivery confirmation
Signature-required services
Overnight and two-day delivery options

While reliable, these services do not replace USPS Certified Mail for legal or statutory purposes.

When You Must Use USPS Certified Mail

Certain documents legally require USPS Certified Mail, including:

Eviction notices (In states such as Washington)
Government notifications
Court documents
Compliance letters under federal or state law

The Send Certified Mail Advantage

With Send Certified Mail, you can:

Send USPS Certified Mail online, but skip the trip to the mailroom and Post Office
Choose from First-Class, Certified Mail, Priority Mail, or Priority Mail Express speeds
Upload documents and send the same-business-day
Store proof for 10 years

Comparing UPS vs. USPS for Sensitive Documents

When deciding between UPS and USPS, it’s important to consider the type of document you’re sending. UPS is excellent for packages and larger shipments where speed is the main concern. USPS, however, is the gold standard for legal documents because of its official Certified Mail service, recognized in courts and government agencies nationwide.

If your document’s delivery needs to hold up in a legal dispute, regulatory review, or audit, USPS Certified Mail is the safer choice. This is why industries like law, finance, healthcare, and property management overwhelmingly rely on USPS, and by extension Send Certified Mail, for their important letters.

The Hidden Costs of Choosing the Wrong Service

It’s easy to think, “UPS tracking is good enough,” but using the wrong service for legally required notices can lead to serious consequences:

Legal disputes where your notice is thrown out because it wasn’t sent via USPS Certified Mail.
Fines or penalties for failing to meet compliance requirements.
Delays in critical processes, such as eviction timelines or contract enforcement.

By using Send Certified Mail, you eliminate the guesswork and ensure every letter meets USPS Certified Mail standards without sacrificing efficiency.

Bulk Mailing Advantage for Businesses

Another reason to choose Send Certified Mail over UPS for these types of mailings is our bulk mailing capability. Many businesses send dozens or hundreds of Certified letters at once. Such as, tenant notices, client updates, tax forms, or compliance letters.

With Send Certified Mail:

Upload all your letters and addresses in one step.
Track each letter individually with USPS tracking.
Store all mailing records in a single, secure online dashboard.

This not only saves time but also keeps your compliance records organized for easy retrieval.

Best Practice: Use USPS for Compliance, UPS for Logistics

If your document requires USPS Certified Mail, always use Send Certified Mail. UPS remains excellent for packages and general logistics that don’t require USPS proof.

Get Started Today

You can’t send Certified Mail through UPS, but you can get the same convenience you enjoy with UPS by using Send Certified Mail. All online, without leaving your home or office.

Schedule a free Live Demo to learn more today!