Signature Requirements: When a Signature Helps Protect Overnight Check Shipments

Reality check.

Overnight delivery is fast.

But fast is not the same thing as safe—especially when you are shipping fast checks and you cannot afford a missed handoff.

A signature is one of the simplest tools you can use when the order matters and you do not want it sitting unattended.

What a signature requirement actually does

A signature requirement changes the handoff.

Instead of leaving the package, the driver needs a person to accept it.

That matters because proof of delivery is often tied to a signed record, and the Defense Logistics Agency describes proof of delivery as documentation that requires a signature by the receiving party in its overview of Proof of Delivery.

When a signature is worth it

Use a signature when the downside of a miss is bigger than the hassle of being there.

Common business situations:

• The order is high value
• The item is sensitive
• The delivery point is a shared lobby
• Your building has unpredictable receiving

If a package can disappear after delivery, you want a tighter handoff.

Why signatures help with misdelivery and theft risk

Unattended packages are a real target.

The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General reported that at least 58 million packages were stolen in 2024, with losses up to $16 billion, in its report on Package Theft in the United States.

A signature does not stop every problem.

But it reduces the chance your shipment gets left where anyone can grab it.

FedEx signature options, in plain English

FedEx offers signature services that let shippers choose the level of signature needed, and it also explains how recipients can manage delivery instructions through FedEx Delivery Manager on its Signature Services page.

Keep it simple:

• If the building has a staffed receiving desk, a basic signature option may be enough
• If nobody is there, the driver may try again later
• If timing is tight, plan your receiving hours

The tradeoff: security versus convenience

Signatures add control.

They can also add friction.

If nobody is available:

• delivery can be delayed
• the shipment can bounce to another attempt

So choose a signature when the risk is real, not just because it feels safer.

What to do if tracking says delivered but you do not have it

Start with the basics.

Check your receiving desk, mailroom, or front office.

Then get your paperwork together.

The Federal Trade Commission shares practical steps for dealing with items you paid for but never received in its guidance on what to do if you never got what you ordered.

How this supports next day check delivery

Speed is earned before the shipment leaves.

If you are ordering checks with a next day timeline, timing and clean receiving matter.

ChecksNextDay.com explains its cutoff rules and late window option in the Checks Next Day FAQ.

Quick decision table

FAQ

1) Does FedEx overnight always require a signature?

Not always. Signature use depends on the delivery setup and what the shipper selects. If you are deciding, focus on the risk at the delivery point.

2) What type of business deliveries should use a signature?

Use it when packages can be left unattended or routed through shared spaces. If your building has a secure receiving desk that logs deliveries, you may not need it.

3) What happens if nobody is there to sign?

The delivery can be delayed until a new attempt or a new plan is in place. If timing matters, plan receiving hours or send it somewhere a person can accept it.

4) Does a signature prevent theft?

It helps reduce unattended drop offs, which lowers risk, but it is not a perfect shield. Pair it with strong address details and clear receiving instructions.

5) How do I keep overnight checks on track when I am ordering late?

Move fast on the parts you control. Place the order before the 2:00pm ET cutoff when possible (orders before the cutoff ship same day for next-day arrival), and if you miss it, use the after-hours/late-window option (upcharge) on certain days when available. Confirm the full business address, and make sure someone can receive it the next day.