Editorial standards

Plain-language guides to when a mailed notice, and Certified Mail in particular, is required or allowed. Each one names the statute, rule or agency page it summarizes and links to it, so you can read the source yourself.

• We start from the primary source, such as a statute, a court or agency rule, or official agency guidance, and link to it on the page.
• We paraphrase. We do not copy the text of the law, and we keep any quotation short.
• We label every rule. Required means the source says Certified Mail or registered mail must be used. Permitted means it is expressly allowed and other methods may also work. Return receipts are labeled separately as required, optional or not specified.
• We never call something required because it is common. Certified Mail is often good evidence. That alone does not make it a legal requirement.

• A direct answer first.
• Who sends the notice, who receives it, and the timing rule.
• Alternatives and exceptions the source mentions.
• The primary source, with a link, and the date we last checked it.
• What KiteCourier does and does not determine.

We research notice workflows, score them on how often the notice is mailed, how clear the rule is and whether a mailing workflow helps, and publish in small groups. A page is not published until its rule is backed by a primary source. The method is described on the requirements page.

Each requirements page shows when we last checked its source. When a source changes, or we find a mistake, we update the page and the date. USPS prices come from one table with an effective date and a link to the USPS notice, so every page shows the same numbers.

The KiteCourier team researches, writes and maintains these pages, reading the primary source for each one.

We sell a mailing service, so some pages mention it. Comparison pages state facts with a source and the date we checked them. We do not accept payment for placement or for reviews.

If you find something wrong, email support@kitecourier.com with the page address and the source that shows the problem. We check it, fix the page, and update the date.