How to Get a PO Box When You Move

Learning how to get a PO Box™ involves visiting your local Post Office™ or renting one online, considering your mailbox needs, and then selecting the right size. Depending on the size, PO Box prices start between $4.50/mo. and $22.50/mo. If you’re moving out of your old home before your new one is ready, or if you’ll be staying in temporary places between moves, you can also forward your mail to a USPS® PO Box.

What is a PO Box?

PO Boxes, or post office boxes, are lockable boxes with an address at a local post office. Typically, businesses and individuals rent PO Boxes from the post office for three, six, or 12-month terms. If it’s hard for you to get your mail delivered to your home directly, then a PO Box can help to make sure everything is collected — safe and secure.

If you have a home business and want to keep your residential address private, you can get all of your mail directed to your post office box and list that as your business address.

How to get a PO Box, step by step

How to reserve a PO Box online:

• Step 1: Go to the USPS website to find an available PO Box near you. Click on “Find & Reserve a PO Box” to locate one in your area using your zip code.
• Step 2: Select the most convenient post office location. After finding a location, pick a PO Box size, the rental term (three, six, or 12 months), and your desired payment method.
• Step 3: Enter your billing and contact information to complete your PO Box reservation.
• Step 4: Print out your reservation confirmation. That confirmation includes your online rental and payment information. Within 30 days of reserving your box, take that printed confirmation, along with two forms of ID, to your post office to receive keys.

How to apply for a PO Box in person:

• Step 1: Complete PS Form 1093. You can either print this form ahead of time or pick one up from the post office.
• Step 2: Pick your box size. On page one of the form, determine which box size is appropriate, and then select it on page three.
• Step 3: Drop off the form at the Post Office and set up a payment arrangement.

What will I need to complete the PO Box application?

Reserving a PO box means you must bring the appropriate identification with you when applying in-person, or confirming your online reservation. There are two acceptable lists of identification; you must present at least one form of ID from each list. The secondary form of ID must list your physical address.

Primary forms of acceptable photo identification:

• Corporate ID
• Matricula Consular (Mexico)
• NEXUS (Canada)
• Passport
• U.S. Government ID
• U.S. University ID

Secondary acceptable forms of ID

• A lease, mortgage, or deed of trust
• Voter or vehicle registration card
• Home or vehicle insurance policy
• Form I-94, Arrival and Departure Record
• An additional primary form of identification (listed above)

Are there different PO Box sizes?

There are five different PO box sizes available for rental, depending on the amount of mail you receive. For example, if you have a business that receives a considerable number of packages, the extra-large size might be best. However, if you’re a resident who does not receive much mail, the extra-small size might be enough. Sizes include:

Does a PO Box cost money?

You will have to pay a rental cost to secure your PO Box. Costs vary by location, box size, and rental term length. To figure out how much it would cost to rent a box in your area, input your zip code into this PO Box finder.

Here’s example base pricing of renting a PO Box for three months in Charlotte, North Carolina (28208):

There are also additional fees:

• Key deposit: $5
• Key duplication or replacement: $10
• Late payment or lock replacement: $25

PO Box pros and cons

The bottom line

When you learn how to get a post office box, the first thing you must do is determine box availability in your location. Then, figure out what size box you need and whether or not you want to apply for it online or in-person. You can rent boxes for three, six, and 12-month terms with the option to set up renewable payment arrangements. Renting a box requires furnishing two forms of ID, one with your picture and the other with your physical address.