How do I receive registered mail?

To receive a registered mail, you need to show your identity card and provide a signature. This is required by law because it is a document of legal value. Therefore, the letter carrier must verify that the shipment is handed to the right person. If you receive a registered mail for someone else, you must be able to show a postal mandate in addition to your identity card.

We understand how it could be irritating to have to show your ID card every time you receive registered mail. However, under the postal law (see Royal Decree of 14 March 2022 – Chapter 2 Article 9. § 1) our delivery and counter staff have an obligation to check your identity and to take a photo of an official document confirming your identity. That is because registered mail has legal value. We therefore need to check your proof of identity to verify your identity, so we can be certain that the mail has been handed to the right person. Valid documents other than your ID card You can have the delivery person take a photo of another official proof of identity rather than your ID card.Have registered mail delivered straight to your letterbox You can also have your registered mail delivered straight to your letterbox without having to sign for it. You can activate this option in the My bpost app (as a delivery preference) or at a Post Office or Post Point – upon presentation of your ID card. You authorise bpost to deliver registered mail straight to your letterbox and you will no longer need to show your ID card or even be home at the time of delivery.

There are alternatives if you do not want a photo to be taken of your ID card during the delivery of registered mail.

• You can also have a photo taken of another document that proves who you are. It must always be issued by a public authority or service and it must include your full name and a photo that is clearly recognisable as you. Examples are a passport, a driving licence and a train or bus pass.
• You can also ask the person delivering to note down your full name and ID card number on the failed delivery notice and take a photo of that.
• Or ask him or her to hand your registered mail in at the Post Office of Post Point. When you go there to pick it up, you will again be asked to allow a photo to be taken of your proof of identity. You can also ask the person at the counter to note down your full name and ID card number and take a photo of that instead.