If you need proof that you have sent a letter by post, then you send it “per Einschreiben”. In return for paying an additional fee to the normal postage you receive a receipt as proof of posting and can choose between different methods of delivery.
These methods are: the postman documents that he or she put the letter in the recipient’s postbox (Einwurf), the letter is handed over to someone at the recipient’s address who then signs of it (Übergabe), the letter is handed over only to the recipient in person (Eigenhändig), the letter is handed over and is signed for on a postcard which is returned to the sender (Rückschein) – similar to Recorded Delivery in the United Kingdom.
The Einschreiben method is often used when proof of sending and receipt are very important, eg. when cancelling contracts.
To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:
(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)
