Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for providing specialized e-mail services to a sender, recipient or both, over a communications network. The method is composed of the following steps. On a computer operated by an e-mail sender, an online session with a computer at an e-mail center is established. The sender then sends an e-mail packet including an e-mail message destined to a recipient together with a request for a specified verification of e-mail service to the e-mail center. This e-mail is then transmitted from the e-mail center computer to an e-mail address accessible by a computer operated by a recipient, and when the recipient at least receives said e-mail, the e-mail center receives notification. And, in its turn, the e-mail center provides at least the requested e-mail notification to the sender. The apparatus provides the means for performing these steps.