How to Get a PO Box?

Last update on May 8th, 2022 at 11:33 am

Renting a PO Box is a pretty uncomplicated process. Traditionally, it would help if you went into your neighborhood post office to sign up for a PO Box. Though, USPS has made the process more comfortable and now provides you a postal box over the Internet and even pay online with a credit card. We’ll teach you how to get a PO Box instantly without trouble in 3 straightforward steps.

First. Pick a PO Box Location and Size

Before you get a PO Box, you need to determine where you want your PO Box location and how large you want your mailbox to be based on your expected regular mail shipments.

PO Box Location

Deciding your PO Box location should be your first concern when you rent a PO Box. All postal boxes remain on the premises of a post office. Most people prefer a postal box near to their home or work for comfort.

Can I get a PO Box in a different state? Yes. You can also get a PO Box in another town if you prefer the city name (e.g., San Francisco) over convenience. To look for a PO Box located in another city, you can check for more info on the USPS website.

Overall, to find the most suitable PO Box location, you should estimate the number of mail and packages you expect to receive weekly and monthly and how frequently you are willing to travel to pick up your mail and packages.

Discover post office locations on the USPS site.

PO Box Size

How large is a PO Box? Over the U.S. Postal Service, PO Boxes are obtainable in 5 sizes. However, not all Post Offices own every size. USPS offers post office boxes in several sizes.

• X Small size 1 – 3″ x 5.5″ – It generally fits 10-15 letter-sized envelopes or up to 2 rolled magazines.
• Small size 2 – 5″ x 5.5″ – It can typically accommodate 10-15 letters or up to 5 rolled magazines.
• Medium size 3 – 11″ x 5.5″ – The medium size is wide enough for large envelopes and magazines.
• Large size 4 – 11″ x 11″ – Easily stacks two shoeboxes inside this PO Box and still have room for 10-15 letters.
• X Large size 5 – 22.5″ x 12″ – This is the most extensive option for Flat Rate Boxes and parcels.

Choosing the best size depends on how much mail you get, what kind of mail you get, and how frequently you pick up your postal mail. Based on some statistics plus extra padding, we estimate that a typical mailbox receives less than six mail items per week.

You can always get a small mailbox and then upgrade to a bigger one. However, USPS does not like your mailbox to overflow. If your mailbox overflows frequently, they will ask you to move to a larger box. The hassle of moving to a new postal box is not worth it.

How Much Does it Cost to Rent a PO Box?

PO Box costs are all varying depending on the location and the size. If you’re searching for a postal box in an area with less demand for the box, you will spend less. You can check PO Box pricing and availability at USPS.

The minimum rental term for a PO Box is three months; still, you can pay for a PO Box rental for up to a year. If you choose to drop your PO Box before the rental period is finished, you can receive a refund back for the remaining period in 3-month increments. For example, if you rent a PO Box for six months and cancel your mailbox during month 2, you will get a refund for the last three months.

Step 2. Get a PO Box

Once you choose a location and size, you are ready to get a PO Box. There are two options to get a PO Box. You can reserve a PO Box online or go to the post office in person.
Both methods require filling out a Form 1583 and providing two sorts of IDs, one of which must have a photo of yourself.

How To Get a PO Box In Person?

1. Bring two forms of ID with you.
2. Go to the post office where you want your PO Box located. You should go online first to check if the size of the PO Box you want is available.
3. Get a PO Box rental form at the counter. 
4. Turn it in at the counter and get your keys to your PO Box.

Step 3. Redirect Your Mail

Once you have your PO Box, the following step is to redirect your mail and packages to this new PO Box. You can either fill out a Change of Address Form online or pick one up at any post office after submitting it. Your mail will then be forwarded to your new address for up to 1 year.