Good morning, SF.

Mrs is on the other end of the state and will need her passport soon. It's here in the safe.

What's the SF-recommended shipping method? Of the big three (UPS, FedEx, USPS), which would you use, and why?

Thank you all.

USPS Priority Flat Rate Envelope with Adult Signature if you are in a hurry.

Priority Certified if you have two weeks.

Yep, I meant Registered. I think they send it in a Priority envelope and Register the item. Chain of custody the entire time.

Quickly? Fed Ex or UPS next day. Securely? Registered mail? What is the one that is literally locked up from post office to post office with a chain of custody?

Registered mail.

If you have a few days, I would use Registered Mail. My understanding is that it must be signed for every time it changes hands.

flashguy

Registered Mail or, FedEx AM Priority.

Registered mail can sometimes travel at a very leisurely pace. If she needs it in less than 10 days, I'd use Fedex or UPS next day air.

I'd just use USPS.

If you have to ship it, I'd probably go UPS or FedEx Next Day Air. Personally, if at all possible I'd just hop in the car and take it to her. You said the other side of the state, not the other side of the country. Then again, I'm one of those odd ducks that don't mind spending 8+ hours in my car.

Send it overnight priority, where it's in someone else's hands the least amount of time.

FedEx has options where you can drop off at like 5pm and have it delivered by 10am the next day. And for something as small and light as a passport it's not very expensive.

It sits around less, changes hands fewer times, and there's a smaller chance for error.

quote:

will need her passport soon.

I bought an ounce of gold from a forum member and had it shipped registered priority. I thought I would never get it. It was going from GA to Southwestern Virginia, they even shipped it to Washington D.C. where it fell off the radar for a few days.

I eventually got it after approximately 15 business days. And to think I paid extra for that.

The .gov ships them using USPS. Next day or priority should be fine. Otherwise I'd use FedEx Priority Overnight with signature required.

USPS overnight is pretty good, it's all hand sorted separate from the rest of the mail stream.

Here's my story about my times with the USPS and my passport, sent by Registered Mail.

I filled out all of the required documentation, to include my then current passport, for renewal and was sent via Registered Mail, with green Return Receipt Request Card. I tracked the package from my Branch all the way to the Philly station that handles the US State Dept mail; and there it sat and then got LOST in their own system.

After 1 week with still no action showing acceptance of the package, I then went back to my Branch and showed the counter man, via their own tracking system via Internet, what hadn't occurred.

He was most apologetic, and sent a tracer request off to the Philly Station. It was "found" in their system the next day, and about a week later I received my renewed passport.

Let's just hope you have better luck with Registered Mail than did this family when they sent the cremated remains of their mother from one city to another--still lost.
http://www.wdrb.com/story/3563...ins-of-indiana-woman

If you use the USPS, just be aware of the issues they seem to have with Registered Mail.

quote:

Originally posted by frogger:
I'm one of those odd ducks that don't mind spending 8+ hours in my car.

I get that, actually. Last fall, I was ready to drive to Michigan to pick up a friend who needed a ride home... to Virginia. In this particular case, though, I'm not inclined to spend 16 hours on the road just to deliver a passport.

After reading the suggestions so far, I'm inclined to FedEx this thing.

Update: the mission may be scrubbed.
Mrs may be heading back here this week, negating the need to ship.

Thanks, all, for your suggestions.

FedEx overnight with signature required.

If you have 1-2 days, Priority Mail with signature required

Protect Your Shipments Registered Mail

Get maximum security for your valuable items. Registered Mail items can be insured for up to $50,000 at your Post Office™.

My passport was shipped by the State Department to me via simple USPS Priority mail. I would use that, adding Signature Confirmation and Restricted Delivery.

Registered Mail is for shipping valuables like a bars of silver or gold. A chain of custody is maintained. Shipping is secure, but very slow.

If you're worried send it with a pistol or an AR lower.