Getting a Post Office Box in your New City

Getting a Post Office Box in your New City

While some cities still offer on-site mail boxes, many large cities and small communities require that you rent a post office box in order to get your mail.  You'll find that they're relatively inexpensive and fairly easy to rent. 

Here are the steps required for getting a post office box in your new city:

• Choose the post office box location that works best for you— close to work or close to home— whatever makes more sense.  You can find the closest post office here: http://usps.whitepages.com/post_office
• Decide what size post office box you need— will you mainly be getting bills, letters etc., or will you receive larger packages on a regular basis?
• Complete an application from the USPS (PS form 1093)— You can apply for a new post office box online when you sign up with a USPS account: http://www.usps.com/receive/businesssolutions/poboxesonline.htm. 
• Provide a form of payment— you can pay in 6 month or 12 month increments.  A $1 refundable deposit is required per key.
• Pick up your keys from the post office— bring a copy of form 1093, your emailed receipt and two forms of ID (one with a photograph).

Notes:

• Acceptable picture IDs are: valid driver's license, or state non-driver's identification card; armed forces, government, university, or recognized corporate identification card; passport, alien registration card, or certificate of naturalization. 
• Acceptable non-photo IDs are: current lease, mortgage or deed of trust; voter or vehicle registration card, home or vehicle insurance policy.
• You must be at least 18 to open a post office box online. If you're younger than 18, you'll need to apply in person.

Most post office locations offer 24 hour access to your post office box, and depending on the size, can be rented for as little as $24 per year.