How To Get A Pobox

Need to figure out how to go a P.O. box? You're in the right place. P.O. (or postal office) boxes serve a lot of purposes beyond just providing you with a way to receive mail if you live somewhere without a mailbox. They're a useful solution if you're traveling for work for a while or are otherwise in brusque term housing while waiting for a more permanent address, or if you're running a business out of your abode but don't desire to share your personal address with clients. You can also use a P.O. box if you are generally concerned nearly the privacy of your home. Regardless of the reason or reasons that you decide yous need one though, you'll have to follow the right steps of how to get a P.O. box in order to get set and running.

Luckily, it's actually quite simple to get a P.O. box. Beneath, we'll become over the P.O. box basics that yous'll want to know, plus the two quick and like shooting fish in a barrel steps you lot'll want to follow to get 1.

What is a P.O. Box?

A P.O. box is a lockable mail box that you rent at your local mail service part. Each P.O. box has its own unique address. Hire prices vary depending on a couple of factors (more on those in the next section).

A defining factor of P.O. boxes is that they're self service. While your postal carrier will sort your mail into the box, it will be up to you to go and pick it all up—there is no door-to-door commitment available for postal service that is shipped to a P.O. box.

How Much Does a P.O. Box Cost?

The cost of a P.O. box depends on the location, size, and the length of the rental period that you choose. Rental periods are bachelor in three month, six month, and 12 month options. There is also a nominal cost for keys ($iii for the kickoff 2 keys and a $six fee for additional keys).

You can find a complete breakdown of pricing online. Prices range anywhere from $xvi to $625 per rental period. Keep in heed that it is usually more cost-effective to rent for a longer period of time than to hire for multiple short periods. While it's more money up front end, if you're going to be using your P.O. box for at least a year go with the long-term option instead of renewing your rental every three months.

How to Get a P.O. Box

Getting a P.O. box doesn't accept a lot of try, but it does help to do a bit of enquiry kickoff. Follow these two steps to get set up with a box that'south the correct fit for your needs.

Pace 1: Figure Out Exactly What You're Looking For

There are two key factors to consider when choosing a P.O. box: the size of your box and the location of your box.

When it comes to size, you lot'll have to think about what you're using your P.O. box for. You lot'll still be able to go to the front desk for packages, then primarily consider the volume of postal service that you receive when choosing how much space you demand. If your P.O. box is only an alternative to a traditional mailbox, and so you lot'll probably be fine with a smaller option. If you lot're using it for concern however, or if yous intend on regularly receiving flat rate boxes, then you lot might want to go with a bigger size.

Too relevant when information technology comes to choosing a size is frequency of pick-ups. You'll desire a larger box if you merely intend on visiting the post office every couple of weeks or in one case a calendar month, while a smaller box will likely suffice for the same amount of mail with more frequent pick-ups.

The U.S. Postal service Office offers five unlike sizes that you can cull between. Here'south the breakdown that they provide:

Size one – X-Small (3″ x 5 i/2″ x fourteen three/4″)
Can conform 10-15 letter-sized envelopes or upward to ii rolled magazines.

Size ii – Pocket-sized (5″ x v 1/2″ x xiv 3/4″)
Can accommodate x-15 letters or up to 5 rolled magazines.

Size three – Medium (xi″ x five 1/2" x xiv 3/4″)
Wide plenty that large envelopes and magazines can be stacked flat.

Size 4 – Big (eleven″ x eleven″ x 14 three/4″)
Tin can easily stack two shoeboxes and nevertheless take room for ten-15 letters.

Size 5 – 10-Big (22 i/ii″ ten 12″ x xiv 3/4″)
Large enough to accommodate Flat Charge per unit Boxes and parcels.

As for location, you're probably going to exist better off choosing wherever is most convenient for you. Though while most people opt for P.O. boxes in post role locations that are shut to their home or work, there is no rule that y'all take to hire a box in your own Zip code—and some people do choose to rent P.O. boxes in other cities or states. Remember, though, that picking upwards mail from your P.O. box is your responsibility, so if you're going to be using information technology for regular mail deliveries then cull somewhere you know yous can get to with ease.

Footstep Two: Rent Your Box

When it comes to how to become a P.O. box, there are ii routes you can go:

Hire your box online.

USPS makes it easy to make an online reservation for your P.O. box. But follow this link to get to the correct page, and let them know where you lot're looking to hire—they'll permit you know what sizes are available at each location in your full general area. Click on the location you're interested in, choose your box size, and choose your rental period. Then click "Reserve At present." From there, you'll exist directed to brand a USPS online account (if y'all don't ane already).

Once your business relationship is made, you'll be provided with PS Form 1093, which you can as well find here. Make full it out, enter your credit bill of fare info, and agree to the terms and services.

To activate a P.O. box that yous've reserved online, you'll demand to go to the mail office in person. Bring a re-create of your completed application form, plus 2 adequate forms of identification.
Rent your box in person.

Go to the location where you want to rent a P.O. box and enquire nearly what sizes are available, so choose from your options. A post part worker will provide you with the form that y'all demand to fill out. Be sure to bring along 2 forms of identification. Y'all can complete the application process right there.

Note that USPS just allows one primary business relationship holder per P.O. box. While yous tin can choose to share access to your box with others, the main responsibility for the box will simply fall to one person.

And in that location you go! One time you follow the steps higher up you volition receive your keys and your new P.O. box will be set upwards and fix for action.

Forwarding Mail to Your P.O. Box

Just as you lot would with whatever other change of accost, you'll need to forward post from your existing delivery address to your P.O. box. You can do this online, over the phone, or in person at your local post role. If you only want some mail to direct to your P.O. box—for example, postal service related to your business—then you lot won't be able to practise a standard change of address, since that applies to all incoming postal service. Instead, you'll simply accept to notify senders of your new address manually.