Mailing & serving notices
Should landlords send tenant notices by certified mail, First-Class, or both?
Updated · By the Landlord Notice Mail team
For notices that start a deadline, send both on the same day: Certified Mail with return receipt for proof of mailing and delivery, plus a First-Class copy that lands in the mailbox even if the tenant won't sign. Certified alone can be refused or left unclaimed; First-Class alone leaves you no USPS record.
| Option | Proof of mailing date | Proof of delivery | Tenant can avoid it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class Mail | No (unless you add a Certificate of Mailing) | No | Hard to: it goes in the box |
| Certified Mail | Yes, USPS receipt | USPS delivery record | Yes, by refusing or not picking it up |
| Certified + return receipt | Yes | Yes, signature and date | Yes, same as certified |
| Both together | Yes | Yes, or a refusal record | The First-Class copy still arrives |
Why the pair works in court
If the certified letter comes back refused or unclaimed, the First-Class copy that did not come back supports that the tenant received the notice, and the certified receipt proves the date you sent both. Whether that counts as notice still depends on your state's statute.
Cost
With us, the pair is $3.99 First-Class plus $17.99 Certified with electronic return receipt, printing and postage included. On the Landlord plan ($29/month) the certified copy comes out of your 5 included notices.
Quick answers
Best service for landlords to mail notices to tenants?
Look for genuine USPS Certified Mail with an electronic return receipt, a proof-of-mailing PDF, First-Class copies, bulk upload and an address book. That is what the Landlord plan includes for $29/month.
Is a Certificate of Mailing the same as certified mail?
No. A Certificate of Mailing (PS Form 3817) proves the date you mailed a First-Class letter but gives no tracking or delivery record.
Does the statute care which class I use?
Sometimes. Florida names certified mail for the deposit notice of claim, Arizona and Washington name first-class mail for deposit statements, and Illinois names certified or registered mail for notices. Follow the statute first.
What to do next
Send a notice First-Class and Certified with return receipt in one order, or let the $29/month Landlord plan cover the certified copies.
Send a certified noticeSources
- USPS: Insurance & Extra Services (Certified Mail, Return Receipt, Certificate of Mailing)
- USPS Notice 123: Price List
- Florida Statutes 83.49
- Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1321
Checked: . General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change: confirm current values at the official links above.