How to Get a Post Office Box

Rent a post office box to get your mail.

Opening a post office box has become more difficult since the events of 9/11. You’ll need to present two forms of current, valid identification regardless of whether the box is for personal or business use. Different sizes are available based on the volume of mail you anticipate. Accordingly, the size of your post office box will dictate the fees required for opening the box. If your box is frequently too small to hold your mail, you should request “caller service.” This allows you or your employee to receive all of your mail from the postal clerk at the counter. Although not available at all locations, some post offices are open 24 hours a day for checking mail in your post office box.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• USPS Form 1093 (Application for Post Office Box or Caller Service)

1. Obtain and complete a copy of USPS Form 1093 (Application for Post Office Box or Caller Service) at your local post office.

2. Take your completed USPS Form 1093 to the counter clerk at the post office where you want to open the post office box.

3. Tell the postal clerk the desired size of your box (or caller service), pay the required fee (including a small key deposit), pick up your mailbox keys (usually two are provided) or obtain the numerical or alphabetical combination to your box and present documents that will authenticate your identity. If you are married, your spouse will need to complete Form 1093 too. Anyone else who is allowed to pick up your mail must be listed on Form 1093. Parents are allowed to pick up mail for mail addressed to their minor children.

4. Present two forms of current valid identification to the counter clerk. At least one form of identification must have a photo. Acceptable forms of identification are a state-issued driver’s license or photo identification card; a copy of a current lease, deed of trust or mortgage; a passport; a voter registration card; a vehicle registration; proof of homeowner’s property or car insurance; an alien registration card or a certificate of naturalization; corporate identification or a university, government or armed forces identification card.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t forget to pay renewal fees prior to suspension. This should be completed well in advance of the due date. If you don’t pay your fees on time, the post office can refuse to give you your mail until you do pay. After ten days of non-payment (after the renewal due date), the post office is required to terminate your service.

• Social Security cards and birth certificates are not acceptable forms of identification to validate your identity.

• Use of a post office box to avoid paying forwarding fees is strictly prohibited.

Resources

• United States Postal Service: Form 1093