USPS form guide
Certified Mail forms: PS Form 3800, 3811, and 3817
The Certified Mail form most people need is USPS PS Form 3800, the Certified Mail receipt and barcode label used for domestic Certified Mail. PS Form 3811 is the hard-copy Return Receipt, often called the green card. PS Form 3817 is different: it is a Certificate of Mailing form that proves mail was presented to USPS, but it does not prove delivery.
Published May 31, 2026
Quick answer: which Certified Mail form do you need?
| USPS form or record | What it is | Use it when | PostalForm equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS Form 3800 | Certified Mail receipt and barcode label for domestic Certified Mail | You are preparing Certified Mail yourself and need the Certified Mail receipt/label | Choose Certified Mail at checkout when the uploaded letter qualifies |
| PS Form 3811 | Domestic Return Receipt, the hard-copy green card | You need a physical signed card mailed back after delivery | Choose Electronic Return Receipt when it is offered and a digital signature record is enough |
| Electronic Return Receipt | Digital delivery/signature proof tied to the article number | You need downloadable signature proof instead of a hard-copy card | Add Electronic Return Receipt when available in the checkout flow |
| PS Form 3817 | Certificate of Mailing | You only need proof that mail was presented to USPS, not delivery proof | Use USPS directly; PostalForm is for preparing and sending the mailpiece |
| PS Form 3877 or firm sheet records | Multi-item mailing receipt records for bulk or firm mailings | You are handling multiple accountable mailpieces through USPS workflows | Use PostalForm bulk or workflow tools when the goal is document mailing, not USPS firm-mail paperwork |
PS Form 3800: Certified Mail receipt
PS Form 3800 is the green Certified Mail receipt/barcode form. USPS describes Certified Mail Receipt forms as domestic-mail forms that give the sender a mailing receipt and, on request, electronic verification of delivery or attempted delivery.
Use PS Form 3800 when you already have the paper letter, envelope, postage, and mailing workflow. The form includes spaces for the Certified Mail fee, postage, recipient address, and optional extra services such as hard-copy Return Receipt, Electronic Return Receipt, Restricted Delivery, Adult Signature Required, and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery.
For legal-proof workflows, the USPS form instructions say the Certified Mail receipt should bear a USPS postmark if you want it accepted as legal proof of mailing. If you want that postmarked receipt, present the item at a Post Office for postmarking.
PS Form 3811: Return Receipt green card
PS Form 3811 is the hard-copy Domestic Return Receipt. It is the green card attached to a mailpiece when the sender wants a physical signed receipt returned after delivery.
Return Receipt is not the same as Certified Mail. Certified Mail provides mailing and delivery-attempt or delivery status. Return Receipt adds a recipient-signature delivery record. USPS says a mailer can choose to receive Return Receipt by mail using PS Form 3811 or by email through Electronic Return Receipt.
Use PS Form 3811 only when a physical green card matters. If a digital signature record is acceptable, Electronic Return Receipt is usually easier to store and search.
Electronic Return Receipt
Electronic Return Receipt is the digital alternative to the green card. USPS says it provides evidence of delivery, including who received the mail and the delivery date, and that records are kept for two years from the mailing date.
Electronic Return Receipt must be requested at the time of mailing. USPS also says it currently cannot be purchased through USPS.com directly; it is available from Post Offices at the time of mailing, and requested records are available online through USPS Tracking after the delivery and signature record are complete.
PostalForm can show Electronic Return Receipt when the Certified Mail order qualifies and the option is available. The checkout quote remains the source of truth for the specific mailpiece.
PS Form 3817: Certificate of Mailing
PS Form 3817 is for Certificate of Mailing, not Certified Mail. A Certificate of Mailing shows that a mailpiece was presented to USPS for mailing. It does not provide a delivery record, and USPS says it does not retain a copy.
Use Certificate of Mailing when all you need is mailing-date evidence. Use Certified Mail when you need delivery or attempted-delivery evidence, and add Return Receipt when signature proof matters.
| Proof need | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Proof a piece was presented to USPS | Certificate of Mailing / PS Form 3817 |
| Proof of mailing plus delivery or attempted delivery | Certified Mail / PS Form 3800 |
| Proof of recipient signature | Certified Mail plus Return Receipt or Electronic Return Receipt |
| Online upload, print, envelope prep, postage, and handoff | PostalForm Certified Mail flow when eligible |
Can you fill out Certified Mail forms online?
You can view or order some USPS forms online, but that is not the same as an online upload-and-mail workflow. If you are using USPS directly, the forms still need to be attached to the mailpiece, paid for with the correct fees and postage, and handled according to USPS instructions.
If your real goal is "send this PDF or letter as Certified Mail without printing it myself," use an online print-and-mail service. PostalForm lets you upload the document, preview the printable PDF, enter addresses, see the price, and choose Certified Mail when the mailpiece qualifies.
Certified Mail form vs. Certified Mail online
| Situation | Best path |
|---|---|
| You already printed the document and can visit a Post Office | Use USPS forms and ask for the receipt/proof option you need |
| You need a postmarked sender's receipt | Present the Certified Mail item at a Post Office for postmarking |
| You want a physical green card | Use Return Receipt / PS Form 3811 when the service and mailpiece allow it |
| You want digital signature proof | Use Electronic Return Receipt when available |
| You need a PDF printed and mailed as Certified Mail | Use PostalForm's online Certified Mail flow when the order qualifies |
Common mistakes with Certified Mail forms
- Using PS Form 3811 by itself - Return Receipt is an add-on proof record. It is not the Certified Mail receipt.
- Confusing Certificate of Mailing with Certified Mail - Certificate of Mailing proves presentation to USPS, not delivery.
- Assuming USPS.com will print your letter PDF - USPS online tools and forms are not the same as a consumer upload-my-letter print-and-mail service.
- Forgetting the postmark requirement - If you need a postmarked receipt, present the mailpiece at a Post Office.
- Losing the article number - The Certified Mail article number is needed for tracking and Electronic Return Receipt retrieval.
- Using Certified Mail for international mail - PS Form 3800 says Certified Mail service is not available for international mail.
Sources
FAQs
- What Certified Mail form do I need?
- Use PS Form 3800 for the Certified Mail receipt/barcode label. Use PS Form 3811 only if you need the hard-copy Return Receipt green card. Use PS Form 3817 for Certificate of Mailing, which is a different service.
- Is PS Form 3800 free?
- USPS Postal Store lists Certified Mail Receipt forms as a free shipping-supply item, usually shipped in packs. Fees still apply when you actually mail an item with Certified Mail.
- Can I print PS Form 3800 myself?
- USPS provides a PS Form 3800 PDF, but the form still has to be used correctly with the mailpiece, fees, postage, barcode, and any needed postmark. If you are unsure, use USPS directly or let PostalForm handle an eligible online Certified Mail order.
- Is PS Form 3811 the green card?
- Yes. PS Form 3811 is the hard-copy Domestic Return Receipt, commonly called the green card.
- Is Certificate of Mailing the same as Certified Mail?
- No. Certificate of Mailing proves that mail was presented to USPS. Certified Mail provides mailing evidence plus delivery or attempted-delivery status.
- Can PostalForm fill out Form 3800 for me?
- PostalForm does not ask you to manually fill out PS Form 3800 in the checkout flow. When Certified Mail is available for your order, choose it online and review the price before payment.
- Do I need Return Receipt for Certified Mail?
- Not always. Certified Mail alone provides mailing and delivery or attempted-delivery evidence. Add Return Receipt or Electronic Return Receipt when you need a recipient-signature record.
- Can I use Certified Mail forms for international mail?
- No. PS Form 3800 says Certified Mail is domestic only. International mail uses different services and forms.
Ready to send it?
If you need the document printed, enveloped, posted, and mailed as Certified Mail, start with the online workflow instead of a USPS counter form.