---
title: "Signature Requirements (USPS)"
description: "Add delivery confirmation, recipient verification, and age-restricted signatures to your shipments"
url: https://helpcenter.ondeliveri.com/en/articles/20-signature-requirements-usps
collection: "Couriers & Rates"
updated: 2026-02-07
language: en
---

# Signature Requirements (USPS)

Add delivery confirmation, recipient verification, and age-restricted signatures to your shipments

Signature Requirements allow you to control **how and to whom** a package is delivered. When enabled, USPS will require a signature at delivery and maintain a delivery record for proof of delivery.

This feature is ideal for:

-   High-value shipments
    
-   Sensitive or regulated products
    
-   Age-restricted items
    
-   Orders where delivery confirmation is critical
    

> **Info:** Signature Requirements are optional and can be added per shipment before purchasing a label.

* * *

## How to Add a Signature Requirement

When creating or editing a shipment:

1.  Navigate to additional services on the right side of the page
    
2.  Select **Signature Requirement**
    
3.  Choose the signature type that best fits your shipment
    
4.  Click **Save** and complete label purchase
    

Pricing is shown clearly before you confirm.

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## Available Signature Types

<table data-id="00b61392-b2fa-47ad-a35d-a00a99f95acb" style="min-width: 150px;"><colgroup><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="ce2df90c-b31e-4d63-886b-7bdb990c0a01"><strong>Signature Type</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="537d6c69-4296-490c-bb2c-b8aaeb41d61b"><strong>Recipient Requirements</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="072f7e83-c418-45be-b3f9-9681577d8949"><strong>Age Verification</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="b9473a84-c7e7-4d19-8682-c14524ccdfa6"><strong>Restricted to Named Recipient</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="194d0d47-cedf-4b79-9ee0-9b2decf60911"><strong>Proof of Delivery</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="c35213bd-c5ec-4f19-a2c6-9203c31b6406"><strong>Best For</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="72d202f2-d2ef-46c1-bc29-b8069401c31c"><strong>Standard Signature</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="ec6f7174-d977-472f-8748-91d5eff6e728">Anyone at delivery address</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="162d785b-e03c-4018-ba62-e105bab5c880">No</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="4ce6e805-b026-4ad3-9a1b-fec3a92ed82b">No</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="7b604b57-005a-4979-b560-1c166bfdc782">Yes</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="b77762f1-a070-4777-bbf4-1291d5d95b8d">Basic delivery confirmation, moderate-value shipments</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="c7b80a5b-ee4b-4533-bda8-19177952c3b3"><strong>Restricted Standard Signature</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="377586ae-8a72-4ecd-83e0-3ecc284180dd">Named addressee or authorized agent</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="9ab1c838-9c65-4373-a87a-a4332b5fc05f">No</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="8de399c9-e507-4f4c-b74b-1689c4ae1e28">Yes</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="5e7f6e14-9b68-4f58-a9ad-4dcf5f35680c">Yes</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="ae311298-1490-4b4e-94cb-b4f1fbf9bf42">Legal documents, sensitive or high-value shipments</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="aa97012a-1efd-422e-afa5-dab97a72d0c0"><strong>Adult Signature</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="661d159b-3328-4d5d-9ca1-a4bfac8c05a3">Any recipient <strong>21+</strong> with valid ID</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="16d29946-3471-42cd-9ce7-c06fc1a42e40">Yes (21+)</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="a186286b-5197-4743-96f1-a734c0aa372e">No</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="c8a35e72-77fb-4874-bbc4-8dda46f2b6bd">Yes</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="899af90d-6987-47a6-b7ed-78916442db3b">Age-restricted products, regulated goods</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="28c2bbf6-28fd-477a-a987-55de9828eb21"><strong>Restricted Adult Signature</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="ad9bf9a8-3b3d-4e29-a3e8-5833e0ffc662">Named addressee or authorized agent <strong>21+</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="3e618262-d7f2-4d65-a31e-60625ceec6d3">Yes (21+)</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="3f1e34a4-697c-4698-abbc-6634a02426f6">Yes</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="04542641-b668-4eb9-b8e5-769af1ba7bb3">Yes</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="998d008f-00f3-482f-a470-661749236b03">Highly regulated or compliance-critical shipments</p></td></tr></tbody></table>

## When Should I Use Each Signature Type?

Use the table below to quickly decide which option is right for your shipment.

<table data-id="44a57f29-ac26-43bb-8e96-d6572c5a48bb" style="min-width: 75px;"><colgroup><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="3aedf8a3-5763-49ab-bbdb-b53b31bb43c8"><strong>If your shipment…</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="cf6539ad-f0a8-4cb0-9b5e-98d1aa274700"><strong>Use this Signature Type</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="a4c96c8a-a299-44ee-88e8-95efcadc5009"><strong>Why</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="3bdec77c-8d4d-4191-bbe8-b11988a9f156">Needs simple proof of delivery</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="f2c1d10e-a227-40fb-bbc3-efced2043ea1"><strong>Standard Signature</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="04ab08bc-4a83-43bb-b1a5-d7e2f9c6bca8">Confirms delivery with minimal restriction</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="a0e491d5-6dd7-4d51-b637-883a892aaa69">Must be delivered only to a specific person</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="eb011727-3dce-4918-a61a-6f98a50fdc7a"><strong>Restricted Standard Signature</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="3a4dbdb0-b1db-4939-a77a-b92fb3309393">Prevents acceptance by anyone else</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="8f2f3cff-2022-4bbb-aac4-37cf8f7a1536">Contains age-restricted items</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="345e655d-3633-4a93-b0f0-e9bd42409d61"><strong>Adult Signature</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="39364787-148a-4155-89e0-d4c59dd07a08">Ensures recipient is 21+</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="20ec3ecb-8a38-4851-8fd8-701380cbde6e">Requires both age verification and recipient verification</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="d430e2c0-0a02-493c-912c-062af0e34035"><strong>Restricted Adult Signature</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="bdc9c09c-a933-4bc7-b610-df2722c20d1f">Maximum control and compliance</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="4509d755-64d4-4cbd-bfb4-1079844bc904">Is high value but not age-restricted</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="138cf648-fb5a-47ff-9eb7-771f7f67bd79"><strong>Restricted Standard Signature</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="170c2857-e8e3-4710-b9d3-dcce1e791fbd">Limits delivery to the intended recipient</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="58e58e71-7c14-447e-b6a2-6760190bf827">Is regulated or compliance-sensitive</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="992adc87-6c0b-4e0b-9e7c-c42a925c50f4"><strong>Restricted Adult Signature</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p data-id="dd92abe4-7415-4b6c-b720-36533e6ed59b">Meets strict delivery and legal requirements</p></td></tr></tbody></table>

> **Info:** 💡**Tip**
>
> If you’re unsure, start with **Standard Signature** for general protection and upgrade to **Restricted** or **Adult** options when compliance, value, or liability increases.

> **Warning:** **Note:** **Service-Specific Requirements**
>
> Some courier services automatically require a signature when insurance is added.
>
> **Priority Mail Express** shipments with **Insurance** always include a **Standard Signature at no cost**, with optional upgrades available.
>
> Any Insured order over $500 will also require a **Standard Signature** at no cost, with optional upgrades available.
>
> Learn more **→** [**Priority Mail Express Insurance & Signature Requirements**](https://helpcenter.ondeliveri.com/en/articles/21-priority-mail-express-insurance-and-signature-requirements.md)

### Standard Signature

**What it includes**

-   Requires a signature at delivery
    
-   USPS records the date and time of delivery or attempted delivery
    
-   Signature and delivery confirmation are stored electronically by USPS
    

**Recommended for**

-   Proof of delivery
    
-   Moderate-value shipments
    
-   General delivery confirmation
    

* * *

### Restricted Standard Signature

**What it includes**

-   All features of Standard Signature
    
-   Delivery restricted **only to the named addressee or their authorized agent**
    
-   Recipient must be a specific individual
    

**Recommended for**

-   Legal or sensitive documents
    
-   High-value items
    
-   Shipments requiring recipient-specific delivery
    

* * *

### Adult Signature

**What it includes**

-   Requires a signature from a recipient **21 years of age or older**
    
-   Valid government-issued ID is required
    
-   USPS stores electronic delivery and signature records
    

**Recommended for**

-   Age-restricted products
    
-   Regulated goods
    
-   Compliance-driven shipments
    

* * *

### Restricted Adult Signature

**What it includes**

-   All Adult Signature requirements
    
-   Delivery limited to a **specific named individual or authorized agent**
    
-   Recipient must be **21+**
    
-   Shipment is returned if age requirements are not met
    

**Recommended for**

-   Highly regulated shipments
    
-   Alcohol or compliance-sensitive products
    
-   Maximum delivery control
    

* * *

## Pricing & Billing

-   Signature Requirement fees are shown **before** label purchase
    
-   Fees apply **per shipment**
    
-   Pricing varies by signature type and follows USPS rates
    

* * *

## Important Notes

-   Signature Requirements do **not** guarantee first-attempt delivery
    
-   USPS may attempt redelivery or leave a notice if no eligible recipient is available
    
-   Signature options must be selected **before** purchasing a label
    
-   Availability depends on USPS service class and destination
    
-   Some courier services automatically require a signature when insurance is added. Learn more → [Priority Mail Express Insurance & Signature Requirements](https://helpcenter.ondeliveri.com/en/articles/21-priority-mail-express-insurance-and-signature-requirements.md)
    

* * *

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Does a signature requirement guarantee my package won’t be lost or stolen?**  
No, but it significantly reduces delivery risk by enforcing stricter delivery rules.

**Can I add or remove a signature requirement after purchasing a label?**  
No. Signature requirements must be selected before label purchase.

**Will USPS leave the package if no one is available?**  
Generally no. USPS will attempt redelivery or leave a delivery notice.

**Where is the signature record stored?**  
USPS maintains the official delivery and signature record, accessible electronically.

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## Related Articles & Suggested Content

-   [USPS Service Classes Explained](https://helpcenter.ondeliveri.com/en/articles/18-usps-service-classes-explained.md)
    
-   [Shipping Insurance vs Signature Requirements](https://helpcenter.ondeliveri.com/en/articles/21-priority-mail-express-insurance-and-signature-requirements.md)
    
-   [Adult Signature & Age-Restricted Shipping](https://helpcenter.ondeliveri.com/en/articles/23-adult-signature-and-age-restricted-shipping.md)
    
-   [Proof of Delivery: What Merchants Should Know](https://helpcenter.ondeliveri.com/en/articles/24-proof-of-delivery-what-merchants-should-know.md)
