Certified email vs Registered mail
Short answer
Certified email is faster, costs about the same and produces solid timestamped proof. It does, however, require the recipient to have consented to receive communications electronically. If that isn't the case, registered mail remains the safe bet. When in doubt, you can use both methods in parallel.
When it's time to send a demand letter (mise en demeure), you have two main options: traditional registered mail through Canada Post, or certified email that conforms to the LCCJTI. With Locato, a certified email costs $14.99 and the proof report shows, to the second, when the recipient's mail server accepted the message. Here's how the two methods compare.
Certified email
- ✓Instant sending
- ✓Comparable price ($14.99 vs about $14.59 before taxes), with no trip
- ✓Timestamped proof of receipt (SMTP response)
- ✓Conforms to section 31 of the LCCJTI
- ✓No trip required
- ✗Requires the recipient's consent to receive by email
- ✗Depends on the reliability of the email address
When to choose Certified email? Situations where the recipient already communicates by email and speed matters.
Registered mail
- ✓Well-established traditional method
- ✓No electronic consent needed
- ✓Physical signature on delivery
- ✓Works even without an email address
- ✗2 to 3 business days within Quebec
- ✗Hard copy of the signature costs extra ($7.25)
- ✗Risk the recipient never claims it
- ✗A trip to the post office required
When to choose Registered mail? Situations where you don't have the recipient's email address, or where there is no electronic consent.
Ready to act?
Fill in a free template grounded in the Civil Code, then send it by certified email with proof of receipt.
The information on this page is general and is not legal advice.