Registered Mail costs $20.90 to $40.50 plus postage in 2026
Registered Mail is USPS's most secure service. The fee depends on the value you declare. With no value it is $20.90. For items worth up to $5,000 it is $21.50 to $40.50. You pay postage on top.
Registered Mail fees from USPS
| Declared value $0 | $20.90 |
|---|---|
| $0.01 to $100 | $21.50 |
| $100.01 to $500 | $25.00 |
| $500.01 to $1,000 | $28.10 |
| $1,000.01 to $2,000 | $31.20 |
| $2,000.01 to $3,000 | $34.30 |
| $3,000.01 to $4,000 | $37.40 |
| $4,000.01 to $5,000 | $40.50 |
| $5,000.01 to $50,000 | $40.50 plus $3.10 per $1,000 |
| Over $50,000 | $180.00 |
| Restricted Delivery | add $8.80 |
| Registered COD charge | add $15.00 |
You must declare the full value. Insurance pays at most $50,000, even if the item is worth more. Source: USPS Notice 123, Price List, effective July 12, 2026 (Postal Explorer).
What changes your price
- Declared value. The higher the value, the higher the fee.
- Extras. Restricted Delivery adds $8.80. Collect on Delivery adds $15.
- Postage. Postage is extra.
Ways to pay less
- Use Certified Mail ($5.55) instead if you only need proof of mailing and delivery, not high security.
- Declare the true value. Claims are limited to what you declare.
How we got these numbers
USPS sets one national price for registered mail. Every price on this page comes from USPS Notice 123, the official price list the Postal Service publishes. The prices we use took effect on July 12, 2026. Where we show a total, we simply add up the separate USPS fees, so you can see what one item costs all in. We do not add our own guesses or use a calculator, because USPS sets these fees and they are the same at every Post Office. USPS changes its prices from time to time, so check the price at the counter if your visit is far from September 26, 2026, the day we last checked.
Common questions
How much is Registered Mail in 2026?
$20.90 with no declared value, up to $40.50 for items worth up to $5,000, plus postage.
Is Registered Mail insured?
Yes, up to the value you declare, with a $50,000 limit.
Is Registered Mail better than Certified Mail?
It is more secure and includes insurance, but it costs more. Certified Mail is $5.55.