What is the difference between certified mail and delivery confirmation?

Question

The post office has the following info:
Certified Mail: Provides a mailing receipt and delivery information.
Delivery Confirmation: Provides the date, ZIP Code™ and time your article was delivered

It sounds like it is the same exact service except the first one costs more.
http://www.usps.com/prices/extra-services-prices.htm

Answer 1

Certified mail requires a signature when it is delivered to the addressee. Delivery confirmation is a label with a bar code that is attached to the package. You can track the number on line, but you will only know when it has been delivered to the post office... not the actual person that it was sent to.

Answer 2

Certified Mail is for use with first class mail, and it provides more options.

With certified mail you get a unique 20-digit code that you can write (type) on a letter or correspondence to identify it with the delivery. You also have the option of getting a postmarked receipt that you actually mailed the item. You can pay extra for a "return receipt" or "restricted delivery" (to specific individuals at an address).

Delivery Confirmation just lets you know your package got there, and when it arrived. Delivery Confirmation is available for such items as parcel post packages.

Answer 3

Certified mail gets the signature of the recipient.

Delivery Confirmation is the post office saying it was delivered.