How to Set Up a PO Box (Step-by-Step)
How to Set Up a PO Box (Step-by-Step)
A PO Box gives you a secure, private mailing address at your local post office. Whether you need one for your small business, want to keep your home address private, or live in an area without home mail delivery, setting up a PO Box is straightforward and affordable.
Shipping rates and delivery times are estimates and may vary. Verify current rates directly with carriers.
[TOOL PLACEHOLDER: PO Box Availability Finder --- Input fields: ZIP code or city/state. Output: list of nearby post offices with PO Box availability, sizes, and pricing.]
Why Get a PO Box?
| Reason | Details |
|---|---|
| Privacy | Keep your home address off public records, business filings, and packages |
| Security | Mail is held in a locked box inside a secure post office lobby |
| Business address | Professional mailing address for your business without renting office space |
| No home delivery available | Some rural areas do not have home mail delivery |
| Package receiving | Post office holds packages that don’t fit in the box |
| Mail consolidation | All your mail arrives at one reliable location |
PO Box Sizes and Pricing
USPS offers five standard PO Box sizes. Pricing varies by location --- urban post offices typically charge more than rural ones.
| Size | Dimensions (approx.) | Typical 6-Month Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Small | 3” x 5.5” | $30-$75 | Personal mail, letters only |
| Small | 5” x 5.5” | $45-$115 | Letters and small envelopes |
| Medium | 5.5” x 11” | $75-$190 | Magazines, small packages |
| Large | 11” x 11” | $115-$310 | Regular package receiving |
| Extra Large | 12” x 22.5” | $200-$475 | High-volume mail and packages |
Note: Rates shown are for 6-month rental periods. You can also rent for 3 months (at a higher per-month rate) or 12 months (at a lower per-month rate). Prices vary significantly by ZIP code.
How to Set Up a PO Box: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Find a Post Office with Available Boxes
Not all post offices have PO Boxes, and popular locations often have waitlists. Check availability:
- Online: Visit usps.com/pobox to search by ZIP code and see available sizes
- In person: Visit your local post office and ask at the counter
- By phone: Call your local post office directly
Step 2: Choose Your Box Size
Select the smallest size that fits your typical mail volume. You can always upgrade later if your needs change. If you receive packages regularly, choose Medium or larger --- small items that don’t fit in your box are held at the counter, but a larger box reduces counter pickup trips.
Step 3: Complete PS Form 1583 (Application)
You can apply online at usps.com/pobox or fill out the application in person at the post office. You will need:
- Two forms of valid ID (at least one with a photo)
- Acceptable primary IDs: Driver’s license, passport, state ID, military ID
- Acceptable secondary IDs: Social Security card, lease/mortgage, utility bill, voter registration card
- Payment for the rental period (credit/debit card, check, or money order)
- Physical address (your home or business address for identity verification)
Step 4: Pay the Rental Fee
Pay for your chosen rental period (3, 6, or 12 months). Auto-renewal is available to prevent your box from being closed due to missed payments.
Step 5: Receive Your Keys
The post office provides two keys (additional keys can be requested for a fee of $5-$10 each). You can access your PO Box during post office lobby hours, which are often extended (as early as 5 AM and as late as midnight at some locations) or even 24 hours.
Step 6: Start Receiving Mail
Update your address with banks, subscriptions, government agencies, and anyone else who sends you mail. You can also set up USPS mail forwarding from your home address to your new PO Box.
Street Addressing for PO Boxes
Some post offices participate in the Street Addressing program, which allows you to receive packages from all carriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL, Amazon) at your PO Box. Without street addressing, only USPS can deliver to a PO Box.
How it works: Instead of using “PO Box 123,” you use the post office’s physical street address with your box number as the unit:
- Standard format: PO Box 123, City, State, ZIP
- Street addressing format: 123 Main Street #123, City, State, ZIP
Check with your post office to confirm they support street addressing.
PO Box vs. Private Mailbox (PMB)
| Feature | USPS PO Box | Private Mailbox (UPS Store, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $5-$80/month | $15-$50/month |
| Street address available | Sometimes (street addressing) | Always |
| Accepts all carrier packages | Only with street addressing | Yes (FedEx, UPS, DHL, USPS) |
| 24-hour access | Many locations | During business hours only |
| Package notification | Email/app via Informed Delivery | Text/email from store |
| Appearance | ”PO Box” format | Looks like a suite address (#123) |
| Security | Post office security | Retail store security |
If you need to receive packages from non-USPS carriers regularly, a private mailbox at a UPS Store or similar provider may be more convenient, though it costs more.
Managing Your PO Box
USPS Informed Delivery
Sign up for free Informed Delivery at informeddelivery.usps.com to receive daily email notifications with grayscale images of your incoming mail and package tracking updates. This tells you exactly when it is worth making a trip to the post office.
Renewing Your PO Box
USPS sends renewal notices 30 days before your rental period expires. You can renew online, in person, or set up auto-pay. If you fail to renew within 10 days of expiration, USPS holds your mail for an additional 10 days before returning it to senders.
Closing Your PO Box
Visit the post office in person to close your box. Return all keys and file a mail forwarding request to redirect future mail to your home address.
For more on mail forwarding and address changes, see How to Track a Package (Every Carrier’s Tracking Tool).
Key Takeaways
- USPS PO Box rentals start as low as $30 for 6 months, depending on size and location.
- You need two forms of ID (one with a photo) to apply for a PO Box.
- Street addressing allows some PO Boxes to receive FedEx, UPS, and other non-USPS carrier packages.
- Private mailboxes (UPS Store, etc.) accept all carriers and use a street address format but cost more per month.
- USPS Informed Delivery provides free daily notifications so you know when mail arrives in your box.
Next Steps
- Use the availability finder above to locate a post office near you with open PO Boxes.
- Read How to Track a Package (Every Carrier’s Tracking Tool) to monitor packages headed to your PO Box.
- Explore How to Schedule a Package Pickup (USPS, FedEx, UPS) if you also send packages from your home or business.
- Check Find a Local Shipping Store for private mailbox alternatives.
Shipping rates and delivery times are estimates and may vary. Verify current rates directly with carriers.