Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for e-mail return receipt delegation. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for e-mail return receipt delegation can include composing an e-mail message by a sender of the e-mail message, selecting a return receipt for the e-mail message, specifying a delegate for the return receipt other than the sender, and forwarding the e-mail message to an addressed recipient along with a directive designating the delegate to receive the return receipt when the addressed recipient opens the e-mail message. Alternatively, the method can include receiving an e-mail message from a sender of the e-mail message, opening the e-mail message, identifying a request for a return receipt for the e-mail message, locating a delegate for the return receipt other than the sender, and generating and sending a return receipt to the delegate.