The three options compared
| Option | What happens | What it proves | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Einwurf-Einschreiben (proof of posting) | Carrier documents the item being placed in the letterbox | Date of posting | |
| Einschreiben mit Übergabe (personal handover) | Recipient or authorised person signs for it | Personal acceptance | Sensitive statements to private individuals |
| Rückschein (return receipt) | Signed receipt is sent back | Acceptance with an original signature | High-value disputes, ongoing legal proceedings |
(Typical use for the first row: cancellations, withdrawals, payment reminders.)
What registered mail doesn't prove
The receipt documents the envelope, not its contents. Anyone who later needs to prove exactly what the letter said also needs an identical copy of the letter with a date. If you write your letter through briefsende.de, the exact document sent is kept as a PDF — content and sending date are stored together.
Receipt is what matters, not sending
Legally, for declarations requiring receipt, what counts is the moment the letter enters the recipient's sphere of control in such a way that they could be expected to take notice of it. For a delivery in the morning, this is usually the same day; for later delivery, the following day.
Registered mail with personal handover has a catch: if no one is home, the letter sits at the local branch — and receipt is pushed back, potentially beyond the deadline.
When an ordinary letter is enough
- The recipient confirms receipt in writing anyway, for example via an email acknowledgement.
- There is no running deadline whose breach would be costly.
- The matter is uncontroversial, for example notifying a change of address.
Checklist before sending
- Take the recipient's address from the most recent document, not from memory.
- State the customer, contract or reference number in the subject line.
- State the deadline explicitly in the text ("at the earliest possible date", or a specific date).
- Keep a copy of the letter.
- Retain the proof of sending at least until the end of the contract term.