If you’re shipping an item that’s expensive, dangerous, or that has age limitations on it, then you need to think about adding an adult signature option to your delivery preferences.
When you add an adult signature option to your FedEx package, you ensure that gets into the right hands. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about adult signatures including what they are, how they work, and how much they cost, so keep reading!
What Is FedEx Adult Signature Required in [currentyear]?
Adult Signature Required is an add-on delivery option offered by FedEx in [currentyear]. This requires FedEx drivers to obtain a signature from someone at the delivery address who is at least 21 years of age or older. In addition to a signature, the recipient must also provide a government-issued ID. This option is applied to dangerous, high-value, or age-restricted items.
You likely have a lot more questions about FedEx’s adult signature option. Luckily, this article will provide all of the answers you need, so keep reading!
What Does FedEx Adult Signature Required Mean?
“Adult Signature Required” is an add-on delivery option offered by FedEx.
When selected, it requires the FedEx driver to obtain a signature from someone at the delivery address who is at least the age of majority in the destination country before handing over a package.
Recipients must sign for the package and present a form of government-issued photo identification (e.g. driver’s license or passport).
However, if no one matching these requirements is available, then FedEx may re-attempt delivery at a later date.
Does FedEx Require an Adult Signature?
Only some FedEx packages require an adult signature for delivery.
Below, I’ve given several examples of times when an adult signature is necessary. These include the following:
- Shipments containing high-value goods or pharmaceuticals
- Shipments containing age-restricted items like alcohol or firearms
- Shipments containing dangerous goods or hazardous materials
Aside from these common reasons, it’s also possible for a shipper to add the adult signature option for no other reason than wanting to.
Which FedEx Services Offer Adult Signature Required?
FedEx’s adult signature required option is available on pretty much all services, including Express, Ground, and Home Delivery.
It’s not available with Ground Economy because the United States Postal Service is responsible for these deliveries and isn’t equipped to accept signatures on FedEx’s behalf.
How Do I Know If a FedEx Package Requires an Adult Signature?
If you’re unsure whether your upcoming shipment requires a signature, check out the tracking information you received via email.
Here, there should be some mention of delivery requirements.
As well, you can check delivery requirements on FedEx’s Delivery Manager tool.
However, one thing to be aware of is that while you can sign for some options (e.g. indirect or direct signature) via the Delivery Manager, Adult Signature Required is not one of them.
In other words, you or someone 21 years of age or older must be present to sign for an adult signature required package.
How Does FedEx Adult Signature Required Work?
When an adult signature is required, a FedEx driver obtains a signature from someone at the delivery address who is at least the age of majority before delivering.
In the United States, the age of majority is set at 21, though in other countries, it may be 18 or 19.
FedEx requires the person signing to present government-issued photo identification. As of June 2022, FedEx added ID scanning as an additional requirement.
By scanning the ID, the driver is able to electronically capture the recipient’s name (first initial and last name) and verify age.
What Happens If You Miss a FedEx Adult Signature Required Delivery?
As mentioned previously, adult signature required is the one FedEx option that requires someone to be physically present to sign.
Therefore, if no one is available, FedEx will leave a door tag at the recipient’s door.
This tag indicates whether FedEx will make another delivery attempt or if the package is being held at a FedEx office location for pickup.
Although drivers can try to deliver the package up to three times, it’s much more likely that the package will get held for pickup.
To find out where a package is being held, look at the sticker applied to the back of the door tag.
This sticker provides the pickup location’s address, the business hours, and the time will be available.
If your package is being held and you want FedEx to reattempt delivery, then call customer service at 1-800-463-3339, and request that another delivery attempt be made.
To avoid missed deliveries in the future, sign up for FedEx’s Delivery Manager program.
With this tool, you can set up a delivery appointment or request that your package be held at a FedEx location until you’re able to pick it up.
Can FedEx Hold a Package That Requires an Adult Signature?
It’s quite common for FedEx to hold adult signature required packages after an initial delivery attempt.
Packages may be held at a local FedEx Office store or at a third-party retailer like Walgreens or Dollar General.
How Do I Add an Adult Signature When Shipping With FedEx?
To add a signature requirement when shipping online, head to the “Special Services” section when purchasing your label. Select “Adult Signature Required.”
Note that this option will only appear for destinations that are set up for this service.
If you’re shipping from a FedEx location, inform the employee that you’d like to add this service before finalizing your purchase.
How Much Does a FedEx Adult Signature Cost?
At the time of this writing, FedEx charges $7.15 to add the adult signature option to packages.
To know more, you can also read our posts on whether or not FedEx takes USPS, does FedEx scan packages, and how many times will FedEx attempt delivery.
Conclusion
Of all of FedEx’s signature requirement options, Adult Signature Required provides the most protection. That’s why it’s absolutely essential to add to your delivery instructions when shipping something dangerous or restricted.
