How to request delivery and read receipts in Outlook?

Author: Kelly Last Modified: 2025-04-09

When sending critical emails, such as to a client, it's essential to confirm that the message not only reaches their inbox but is also read. Outlook's features for requesting delivery and read receipts can help you track this information effectively. This article guides you on how to request delivery and read receipts for individual emails you are currently composing, as well as for all emails you send, ensuring you have confirmation of receipt and engagement from your recipients.

Request delivery / read receipts for one message in Outlook

Request delivery / read receipts for all sent messages in Outlook

Request delivery / read receipts for one message in Outlook

When you are composing an email message, you can configure and request a delivery receipt and a read receipt easily.

Step 1: Click "Home" > "New E-mail" to create a new email message.

Step 2: Check the "Request a Delivery Receipt" option and the "Request a Read Receipt" option in the "Tracking" group on the "Options" tab.

You can check both the "Request a Delivery Receipt" and the "Request a Read Receipt" options, or just one, depending on your needs.

Step 3: Compose your email message and send it.

Request delivery / read receipts for all sent messages in Outlook

This section will show you how to request delivery receipts and read receipts for all sent email messages in Microsoft Outlook.

Step 1: Click "File" > "Options".

Step 2: Click "Mail" in the left pane.

Step 3: In the "Tracking" section:

To request a delivery receipt, check the "Delivery receipt confirming the message was delivered to the recipient’s e-mail server" option.
To request a read receipt, check the "Read receipt confirming the recipient viewed the message" option.

Note: You can check both of these options or just one according to your needs.