Should passport renewal be sent certified mail with return receipt requested.?

by Arlene
(Stoughton, MA)

Question: I have everything ready to MAIL but want to know the best way to mail all the renewal information including my original passport.

Do you recommend US postal service? Do you recommend Certified mail with return receipt? Can information be sent Regular Mail? Is Fed-x or UPS a good option?

Answer: You are strongly encouraged to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a traceable delivery method. This will minimize the risk of your documents getting lost.

A traceable delivery method lets you confirm the receipt of your package at the intended destination. Traceable delivery methods include:

* USPS Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation
* USPS Priority Mail with Signature Confirmation
* USPS Express Mail (for overnight delivery requests) traceable delivery method

USPS Certified Mail and USPS Registered Mail are also forms of traceable mail but take longer to reach the mailing destination than Priority or Express Mail service.

Please Note: Your application for a passport renewal will be sent to a PO Box. Therefore, the traceable delivery method used must be able to deliver to a PO Box address.

Also, in order to protect the contents of your mailing from the elements throughout the delivery process, you are encouraged to send your passport application and any personal documents using a secure means of packaging, such as a Tyvek envelope.