- Price
- from €11.95incl. VAT, 2 pages included
- Delivery time
- 2 to 3 business daysusually, after handover to the post
- Proof
- Recipient's signature+ tracking and proof of posting
- Handed to the post
- Upload by 12:00Central European Time on a business day, posted the same day
- Counts as
- Domestic registered mailprinted and posted in France
What happens to an uncollected registered letter?
If the recipient is out, the carrier leaves a notice. La Poste keeps the letter for 15 calendar days at the post office, then returns it to the sender with the reason.
La Poste tracking dates the first delivery attempt. That date often counts, but not for every letter.
What effect does it have, letter by letter?
| Letter | Effect if not collected |
|---|---|
| Lease notice (tenant or landlord) | Not validly given: the notice period does not run |
| Resignation | Notice runs from the first delivery attempt |
| Dismissal | Notice runs from the first delivery attempt |
| Formal notice for job abandonment | The deadline runs from the delivery attempt |
| Administrative decision | Notified on the date of the first delivery attempt |
What to do when the letter comes back
- Keep the envelope sealedIt shows the reason for return and the dates.
- Upload the PDFPut the recipient's address in the window area.
- We print it in FranceLa Poste delivers it against a signature.
- File both proofsThe first and second posting, with their tracking.
What to check before you send
- For a lease notice, do not wait: send it again as soon as it comes back, or have it served by a commissaire de justice. See how to give notice on a French rental.
Frequently asked questions
How long does La Poste keep a registered letter?
15 calendar days after the delivery notice, then it returns it to the sender.
Is an uncollected lease notice valid?
No. A notice that comes back uncollected has not been validly given: send it again or use a commissaire de justice.
When does notice start for an uncollected resignation?
On the first delivery attempt, even if the employer collects it later or never.
Is an uncollected administrative decision notified?
Yes, on the date of the first delivery attempt, according to the Conseil d'État.
Should I keep the returned envelope?
Yes, sealed. It proves the delivery attempt, the reason for return and the contents if a court opens it.
Does the registered letter prove what was in the envelope?
No. La Poste proves the posting and the delivery, not the text. Keep the PDF you sent: your proof of posting identifies that exact file.