What is Registered Post AD? How to send Registered Post with Acknowledgement

Lawyers very often send letters or legal notices to people through Registered Post A. D. also known as RPAD or Registered Post with Acknowledgement Due or Register Acknowledgement. This article explains why Registered Post is used and how to send a letter or parcel through Registered Post.

What is Registered Post with Acknowledgement Due?

“Registered Post with Acknowledgement Due” is written on any postal article, for which the sender wants a proof or acknowledgement of delivery to confirm that it has been received by the addressee or his representative. The acknowledgement is “Registered” in the Register of the postal authority and a proof of the delivery is also given to the sender.

The fee for adding an Acknowledgement Card is Rs. 3 extra. The Acknowledgement Card is delivered back to the original sender by ordinary post.

What type of postal mail can be registered?

All postal mail except for Post Cards can be registered.

This includes:

• Letters
• Parcels
• Journals
• Books
• Newspapers
• Currency Notes

What type of postal articles need to be compulsorily registered?

• Any parcel exceeding 4 kilograms in weight
• Any Insured article
• Any parcel addressed to a place for which a customs declaration is required.
• ​Any article containing the following stamp /  label:
  Cheque,
  Hundi,
  bank note,
  bank post bill,
  bill-of-exchange​
• Any article bearing the word “registered” on the cover
• Any registered article which is re-posted after having been delivered
• Any value-payable article (VPP)

Why do we use Registered Post?

Registered Postal Article details are entered into a special register, which ensures proper delivery of the article. Ordinary post which is dropped in the post box or at the counter of the post office is not registered and there is no proof of delivery available for it.

Can we use Speed Post or Private Courier services in place of Registered Post? What is the difference between Speed Post AD and Registered Post AD?

You can use Speed Post or Private Courier for delivery of notices and court procedures, unless the law specifies that delivery must be made by Registered Post only. The reason why Registered Post Acknowledgements are conclusive proof of delivery is because it has been delivered by a government employee as per strict procedure of registering the document in the postal notebook and also taking a signature of the recipient when it is delivered. Also, Speed Post is a service which covers only certain areas of metropolitan and important cities. Speed Post does not cover interior and rural areas. Registered Post AD covers every nook and corner of India, even in the remotest of places where Private Couriers don’t operate.

Can we send a Registered Letter or Parcel without attaching an acknowledgement?

Yes. If the Letter or Parcel does not bear the words “Acknowledgement Due” or “AD” or indicate that an acknowledgement is required, the letter will be registered but no acknowledgement card will be sent to the sender. Mere registration that it has been delivered will be made in the postal register. Thereafter the sender can pay an additional fee and get a certificate of delivery from the postmaster.

How do we send a Registered Letter or Registered Parcel with Acknowledgement Due?

Steps to send a Registered Letter / Parcel with Acknowledgement Due Card:

1. On the Registered Letter or Parcel at the top left corner or above the name of the addressee, clearly mention the words “REGISTER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT”  or “REGISTERED POST A/D” or “REGISTERED” or “REGISTERED POST WITH ACKNOWLEDGEMENT DUE” or “Regd. Post A/D” or even “Regd. A/D” or “RPAD” or “R. P. A. D.”

2. Fill in a Registered Post Acknowledgement Card:

The Card can be obtained free of cost from your nearest Post Office. You can also buy bundles of 50 cards by paying a nominal fee. You can also get the card photocopied and use it.

Fill up the front of the card Sender’s Address with your address in the three lines provided. Fill in the most accurate address, so that the card comes back to you. Fill in the PIN code correctly.

At the back of the AD Card, you will need to fill in the following (as shown in blue):

• Select Registered Letter or Registered Parcel or Fill in the blank _______ if it is a Book / Journal etc.
• In the Dated field enter the date on which you will post the letter / parcel
• In the Addressed To field mention the receivers complete name and address.

3. After making the payment for the letter / parcel, retain the receipt so that you can track the parcel in future.

Once your parcel / letter is delivered, the Addressee must fill in the Date on which the letter / Parcel was Received and also Sign / Stamp the AD Card (shown above in red).

Can I send Registered Post to a foreign country?

Yes, you can add a separate Acknowledgement Card (usually a pink coloured one) for foreign Registered Air Mail.

How do I track the delivery of Registered Post?

You can track the delivery of the document by visiting: https://www.indiapost.gov.in/.

Nowadays tracking of the Registered Articles and Speed Post can be done by SMS. Sometimes, if your mobile number is properly entered, you will automatically receive an SMS upon delivery. Ensure that at the time of submitting the parcel or letter for registration, the senders mobile number is clearly mentioned and entered into the system.

If your document was delivered but you didn’t receive the AD Card back or your document was undelivered or the status is not known, then you can place a complaint at: https://ccc.cept.gov.in/ComplaintRegistration.aspx

Note that the AD Card is returned to the sender by ordinary post and given ordinary priority. You may want to check with your post office or wait for a few days before complaining.

After placing a complaint, you will receive a letter in writing, stating whether your document was delivered or not. Additionally you can apply for a Proof of Delivery of the document in future.

Which date will be considered by law for the purpose of determining the completion of communication of the Registered Post letter or article? The date on which the sender puts it into delivery or the date when it is actually received by the addressee?

Registered Post is delivered all over India and the delivery time can vary from 2 days to 7 days under normal circumstances. In such a case the time difference between delivery to the post office by the sender and actual receipt by the recipient needs to be considered.

As per the Indian Contract Act 1872:

Section 4. Communication when complete
The communication of a proposal is complete when it comes to the knowledge of the person to whom it is made.

The communication of an acceptance is complete,—
as against the proposer, when it is put in the course of transmission to him so as to be out of the power of the acceptor;
as against the acceptor, when it comes to the knowledge of the proposer.

The communication of a revocation is complete,—
as against the person who makes it, when it is put into a course of transmission to the person to whom it is made, so as to be out of the power of the person who makes it;
as against the person to whom it is made, when it comes to his knowledge.

Illustrations
(a) A proposes, by letter, to sell a house to B at a certain price. The communication of the proposal is complete when B receives the letter.

(b) B accepts A’s proposal by a letter sent by post. The communication of the acceptance is complete, as against A when the letter is posted; as against B, when the letter is received by A.

(c) A revokes his proposal by telegram. The revocation is complete as against A when the telegram is despatched. It is complete as against B when B receives it.  B revokes his acceptance by telegram. B’s revocation is complete as against B when the telegram is despatched, and as against A when it reaches him.

Are there any Post Offices open for 24 hours for sending Registered Post?

There are many postal booking counters all over India which provide 24×7 Booking facilities BUT ONLY FOR SPEED POST. NOT FOR REGISTERED POST.

These are usually Transit Mailing Offices at Railway Stations or Airports.

SpeedpostBkngCentres