How to Ship Government Documents

The proper services for sending tax returns and more

Updated over a week ago

Tax returns, checks, and passports are a few critical items that require you to send out every so often. Learn about how to properly send these types of items, and the different services you can use 👍

The IRS prefers you to send tax returns and checks via Certified Mail

While you can technically ship tax documents in rigid envelopes, paying for a shipping service such as USPS Ground Advantage or Priority Mail isn't the best way to do so. Instead, the IRS prefers you to use Certified Mail service to send year-end taxes, which is basically First-Class Mail with a tracking number for you to follow along with.

Unfortunately, Certified Mail isn't a service that Pirate Ship offers. You'll need to go to your local Post Office to access that 😉

For sending passports, use a Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope

Passports are thicker than paper documents, so it's best not to mail them at all. Instead, we suggest using a Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope to ship these. Priority Mail Flat Rate is faster than Certified Mail, and comes with full tracking every step of the way.

Keep auto-refund timelines in mind

If you're sending out documents with an additional label for a return service back to you, keep in mind that Pirate Ship automatically refunds labels after 28 days if they don't get used within that time, and Return Labels are auto-refunded after 90 😅

Have any questions? Chat with our Support Crew and we'll lend a helping hook in any way we can 😃

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