What Happens If The Addressee Does Not Pick Up The Certified Mail?

Certified mail is a type of mail that requires a signature to be delivered. If the addressee is not home to sign for the delivery, the letter carrier will leave a delivery reminder slip. This reminds the addressee to pick up the letter at a local post office. If the addressee still does not pick up the mail after a few days, USPS will make a second attempt to deliver the letter.

If the addressee does not pick up certified mail, he or she may be responsible for the costs of hiring a process server to pick up the mail. In such a case, it is important for the sender to be aware of the consequences of their action. While it is not illegal to refuse to accept certified mail, the recipient should sign for it.

The USPS will leave a second delivery notice if the addressee does not pick up the mail within 5 to seven days. If the addressee still does not pick up the mail, the mailer will hold the mail for 15 days before sending it back.

While certified mail is one of the most reliable means of communication, it is not a guarantee. The addressee may not be home or at the office to sign for it, and this may cause the mailer to miss the mark. This can cause serious consequences for a business and may be the reason why they decide not to use certified mail.