Royal Mail Signed For: Cost, Differences & How It Works

You’ve got an important document to send — a passport renewal, a signed contract, a gift you’d rather not lose. Royal Mail Signed For promises a signature on delivery and online proof of posting, but it stops short of the full tracking offered by Royal Mail Tracked.

Royal Mail Signed For 1st Class price from £3.80 ·
Royal Mail Signed For 2nd Class price from £2.90 ·
Maximum weight 20kg ·
Delivery aim (1st Class) 1 working day ·
Delivery aim (2nd Class) 2–3 working days ·
Signature on delivery Yes

Key facts about Royal Mail Signed For at a glance:

The implication: Signed For gives you a signature but no mid‑journey visibility.

Which is better, tracked or signed for?

Two services, one fundamental difference: one gives you continuous tracking, the other only a signature at the door. Here’s how they stack up.

Key differences between tracking and signature services

• Tracking depth: Royal Mail Tracked provides full tracking from dispatch to delivery and may include email/SMS notifications (UK Postbox, a third‑party analysis of Royal Mail services). Royal Mail Signed For only captures a signature on delivery, not continuous parcel tracking (UK Postbox).
• Cost: Tracked 24 online starts from £4.65; Tracked 48 from £3.65 (Royal Mail). Signed For 1st Class online starts from £3.80, 2nd Class from £2.91 (Royal Mail). Tracked costs more at every weight band.
• Signature: Both services require a signature on delivery, though Tracked can sometimes be sent without one (UK Postbox).
• Compensation: Signed For covers up to £20; Tracked covers up to £75 (UK Postbox).

When to choose Signed For over Tracked

Choose Signed For when you want proof of delivery without paying for real‑time tracking — ideal for low‑value documents like a contract or a birthday card. The lower price works for items where the sender only needs peace of mind that someone signed for it.

When to choose Tracked over Signed For

Pick Tracked when you need to know exactly where your parcel is throughout the journey. For higher‑value items (above £20 in compensation risk) or time‑sensitive packages that might need rerouting, the added visibility of Tracked 24 or 48 is worth the extra pound or two.

How does Royal Mail Signed For work?

The process is simpler than you might expect, with only two scans along the journey. Signed For is available as 1st Class (next‑day aim) or 2nd Class (2–3 day aim). The maximum weight is 20kg (Post Office).

The process of sending a Signed For item

You buy postage online, at a Post Office counter, or via franking. The item is scanned at acceptance, then scanned again upon delivery. A signature is captured electronically.

What happens during delivery

The postie hands the item to the recipient and collects a signature using a handheld device. If no one is home, the carrier leaves a ‘Something for you’ card and the item is held locally.

How the signature is captured and stored

Proof of delivery is available online for 90 days (Post Office). You can view the signature via the Royal Mail app or website using the item’s tracking number.

What this means: Signed For is a stripped‑down tracking service – enough for proof, not for panic.

How much does Royal Mail signed for cost?

All prices below are as of 2025 and weight‑based. The cheapest letter rate is listed; heavier items cost more.

Current prices for 1st Class Signed For

• Online from £3.80 for letters (Royal Mail)
• Post Office counter from £3.80 for letters, £7.05 for small parcels (Post Office)

Current prices for 2nd Class Signed For

• Online from £2.91 for letters (Royal Mail)
• Post Office counter from £2.91 for letters, £5.85 for small parcels (Post Office)

Pricing changes for 2025

Royal Mail announced price increases for franking customers taking effect April 2025 (Royal Mail). For counter and online purchases the current rates shown above apply.

How Signed For compares with Tracked and Special Delivery Guaranteed:

The pattern: Tracked offers better compensation and full tracking for a modest premium.

Detailed specifications for the Signed For service:

How to do Royal Mail signed for?

Sending an item Signed For takes four steps. You can complete most of them without leaving your kitchen table.

1. Prepare your item
2. Buy postage (online, at Post Office, or via franking)
3. Drop off your item at a Post Office or parcel postbox
4. Get your proof of delivery

Preparing your item for Signed For

Pack your item securely. Ensure it weighs no more than 20kg and fits within Royal Mail’s size limits. Address it clearly and include a return address.

Buying postage (online, at Post Office, or via franking)

Option 1: Buy online at royalmail.com — print a label at home. Option 2: Visit a Post Office counter and pay there. Option 3: Use a franking machine (note: price changes for franking customers take effect April 2025 (Royal Mail)).

Dropping off your item at a Post Office or parcel postbox

Take your labelled item to any Post Office counter or deposit it in a parcel postbox. Keep the receipt or proof of posting — it’s your evidence in case of a claim.

Getting your proof of delivery

Once delivered, you can view the signature online at royalmail.com or through the app. The proof is available for 90 days from the delivery date (Post Office).

For another UK service with strict rules, see our guide: DVLA Personalized Plate Warning: £1,000 Fine & 10-Year Rule. And if you need health‑related documents sent, check Can a Pharmacist Prescribe Antibiotics? Ireland & UK 2025.

What happens if a package needs a signature and no one is home?

Royal Mail’s procedure for missed deliveries is straightforward, but you’ll need to act promptly to avoid the parcel being returned.

Royal Mail’s procedure for missed deliveries

The postie leaves a ‘Something for you’ card with a reference number. The item is taken back to the local delivery office and held for 18 days (UK Postbox). After that, it’s returned to the sender.

Redelivery options

You can book a free redelivery online using the reference number from the card. Choose a convenient date, or redirect to a neighbour.

How to collect from a delivery office

You can collect the item in person from the local depot. Bring the card and photo ID. The item will be released once you sign for it.

The pattern: act fast or lose your parcel.

What the Royal Mail and Post Office say

“Signature on delivery and next‑day delivery aim.”

Royal Mail, the UK’s designated universal postal service provider

“Peace of mind that your important post has arrived safely.”

Post Office, the UK government‑owned postal retail network

Royal Mail Signed For is a practical middle ground: cheaper than Tracked, more accountable than standard post. But its low compensation cap and lack of real‑time tracking mean it suits low‑value documents best. For anyone sending a passport, a signed contract, or anything worth more than £20, the safer choice is Tracked or Special Delivery Guaranteed. The decision comes down to how much you can afford to lose — and how much visibility you need.

If you do happen to missed a delivery with Signed For, the redelivery options provided by Royal Mail are straightforward and explained in full detail.

Frequently asked questions