---
title: "USPS Signature Confirmation vs Adult Signature: fees, rules"
description: "Signature Confirmation is $4.15 online or $5.15 at the counter; Adult Signature (21+) is $9.70, online only. The rules and limits."
canonical: https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/signature-confirmation/
last_updated: 2026-10-19
publisher: "The Reseller Index"
---

# How much is USPS Signature Confirmation, and when is Adult Signature needed?

**Signature Confirmation costs $4.15 on an online label and $5.15 at the Post Office; Adult Signature Required costs $9.70 and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery $10.00, sold only with online labels.**

Adult Signature means the person signing must be 21 or older and show an acceptable primary form of ID before delivery. USPS keeps that delivery record, signature included, for two years.

Rates verified on Oct 19, 2026

Postage in the examples is from Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026, which includes USPS's temporary holiday prices for Ground Advantage and Priority Mail until 12 a.m. CT Jan 17, 2027. The fees quoted here are the same as in the July 12, 2026 edition, before the holiday prices began.

## The rule, in USPS's words

> “Adult Signature service provides electronic confirmation of the delivery or attempted delivery of the mailpiece and signature of the recipient, who must be 21 years of age or older.”

[DMM 503.8.1.1](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm), read Oct 19, 2026

> “The USPS maintains a record of delivery (including the recipient’s signature) for two years.”

[DMM 503.8.1.1](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm), read Oct 19, 2026

> “Not available for purchase at Post Office locations.”

[USPS, Insurance and Extra Services (Adult Signature)](https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm), read Oct 19, 2026

> “Except as provided in (8.1.2c) for machinable parcels, the parcel must be greater than 3/4 inch thick at its thickest point.”

[DMM 503.8.1.2 (Media Mail and Package Services)](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm), read Oct 19, 2026

> “An item insured for more than $500.00 receives a delivery scan (includes returns products meeting the applicable standards in 505) and USPS provides a signature as the delivery record to the mailer electronically”

[DMM 503.4.3.1](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm), read Oct 19, 2026

> “combining multiple extra services (e.g., signature confirmation and insurance less than or equal to $500) is prohibited when mailing hazardous materials.”

[Publication 52, 323.2](https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_004.htm), read Oct 19, 2026

> “Customers may obtain Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery by producing qualified shipping labels with Intelligent Mail package barcodes.”

[DMM 503.8.2](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm), read Oct 19, 2026

## What it costs, with examples

*Signature services, Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026 (Extra Services). Online = electronic option.*

| Service | At the Post Office | Online label |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Signature Confirmation (Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, Media Mail) | $5.15 | $4.15 |
| Signature Confirmation Restricted Delivery (named person only) | $13.95 | $12.95 |
| Adult Signature Required (21+) | not sold | $9.70 |
| Adult Signature Restricted Delivery (named person, 21+) | not sold | $10.00 |

*A 2 lb Ground Advantage package, online, Zone 5, with each add-on. Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026.*

| Add-on | Postage | Fee | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| None (tracking and $100 insurance included) | $10.50 | none | $10.50 |
| Signature Confirmation | $10.50 | $4.15 | $14.65 |
| Adult Signature Required | $10.50 | $9.70 | $20.20 |

## Edge cases

- **Restricted Delivery** goes only to the named addressee (a natural person) or their authorized agent; with Adult Signature Restricted Delivery, if that person isn't 21 or older, the package goes back to the sender ([DMM 503.8.1.1](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm)).
- **Media Mail:** Signature Confirmation needs a parcel over 3/4 in. thick, or a rigid box that keeps its shape if it is a thinner machinable parcel ([DMM 503.8.1.2](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm)).
- **Over $500 insured:** USPS already provides a signature delivery record ([insurance](https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/included-insurance/)).
- **Hazmat:** no combining of multiple extra services on hazmat packages (Publication 52, 323.2).
- **Not with Adult Signature:** USPS says Signature Confirmation works with any service except USPS Marketing Mail and Adult Signature services ([USPS](https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm)).
- **PO Boxes:** at competitive PO Box locations, a box holder can keep a signature on file for Signature Confirmation items ([PO Box rules](https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/po-box-shipping/)).

## What to do

- Add Signature Confirmation online, not at the counter: $1.00 less per package.
- Use Adult Signature for age-restricted items; buy it with an online label, since Post Offices don't sell it.

## Questions

### How much does signature confirmation cost USPS?

$4.15 with an online label and $5.15 at the Post Office ([Notice 123](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm)).

### Who can sign for Adult Signature Required?

Any adult 21 or older who shows an acceptable primary form of identification (the DMM points to its list in 608.10.3) and signs; with Restricted Delivery, only the named addressee or their authorized agent who is 21 or older ([DMM 503.8.1.1](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm)).

## Related rules

- [How much insurance is included with Ground Advantage and Priority Mail?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/included-insurance/) Up to $100 with a tracking barcode; extra coverage to $5,000 from $2.80. Used items are depreciated.
- [Can you ship to a PO Box, and what if the address has a street too?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/po-box-shipping/) With a street and a PO Box on the label, USPS delivers to the line just above the city, state and ZIP.
- [Can you ship a used phone, laptop or camera with a lithium battery by USPS?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/used-electronics-lithium-batteries/) Ground Advantage only, marked 'Restricted Electronic Device' and 'Surface Transportation Only', declared as hazmat at the label.
- [What does USPS charge to ship hazmat?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/hazmat-fees/) $7.50 handling by Priority Mail, $0.00 by Ground Advantage; $50.00 for hazmat not properly declared on online labels.

Also on this site: [Claims, refunds and extra services](https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/) · [How do I get USPS proof of delivery with a signature?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/proof-of-delivery/) · [What is USPS Restricted Delivery, and how much does it cost?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/restricted-delivery/) · [What happens to a USPS package that needs a signature when nobody is home?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/signature-not-home/)

[All 25 USPS package rules](https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/)

## Sources

Rates verified on Oct 19, 2026 from each official page below.

- [USPS Notice 123, Price List (effective Oct 4, 2026)](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm)
- [USPS Domestic Mail Manual 503: extra services (insurance, signature services)](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm)
- [USPS Publication 52, 323: mailer responsibility for hazardous materials](https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_004.htm)
- [USPS: Insurance and Extra Services](https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm)

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