Getting a Post Office Box in Another City

Can I get a PO Box in a different city?

Yes, you can! Getting a post office box in another city is a very easy process. If you need to open a PO Box before you move to your new city, follow these four simple steps:

Note: You must be 18 years of age or older to apply for a PO Box.

Step 1 – Reserve your PO Box

You can reserve your PO Box online on the USPS.com website or in person at your current local post office. Here’s how you reserve your PO Box:

Decide which USPS post office location you would like to reserve your mailbox at in your new city. Click here to search USPS post office locations. Most people like their PO Box location to be near their home or work.

Once you know the location you prefer your mailbox to be at, decide which size mailbox you need. Ask yourself what size mail you think you will be regularly receiving? If it’s just for bills and letters, you could go with a smaller box. If it’s big packages, consider the largest size. Here are sizes you can choose from:

• Size 1 (extra small): 3” x 5.5”
• Size 2 (small) : 5” x 5.5”
• Size 3 (medium): 11” x 5.5”
• Size 4 (large): 11” x 11”
• Size 5 (extra-large): 22.5” x 12”

You should base the size decision on how often you’ll pick up your mail, how much mail you typically get per week, and the size of the mail you typically get. Remember to account for magazines and newspaper subscriptions, too. If your mailbox starts to overflow, you might be asked to move to a larger box. This can be a big hassle, so it’s best to have more room than not enough.

After decide on the size, you’ll need to figure out how long you want to rent the PO Box for. You can choose between 3, 6, and 12 months. The minimum rental period is 3 months.

Like I said above, you can reserve your box online or in person, but you must fill out an application, show proof of identification, and pay for your mailbox before you can start using it. I suggest going online to reserve your mailbox so you can save a trip to the post office and know right then and there if the size mailbox you want is available.

Step 2 – Complete an Application

The USPS Form 1093 (Application for Post Office Box) must be filled out completely in order to rent a PO Box. Basically, it’s a rental agreement for the mailbox. You can get a printable copy of the Form 1093 here.

Step 3 – Gather Proper Identification

You must have two acceptable forms of ID with you in order to get a PO Box. One form of ID must contain a photograph. Your ID must be current, contain sufficient information to confirm that you are who you say you are, contain your current address, and be traceable to you.

Acceptable Photo IDs:

• 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:

• Current lease, mortgage, or deed of trust
• Voter or vehicle registration card
• Home or vehicle insurance policy

Non-Acceptable IDs:

• Social Security Card
• Credit or Debit Cards
• Birth Certificates

Step 4 – Obtaining your PO Box in your new city

Go to the Post Office location where you currently live with your Form 1093 filled out and your two acceptable forms of ID. The Postal Service™ will verify your information within three days. You will be called by a post office employee letting you know that your information has been verified and that you may continue the application process.

After you move to your new city, you will need to complete the verification process in order to get your mailbox. To complete the verification process and obtain your PO Box, do the following:

Go to the location in which your reserved mailbox is at and bring the Form 1093, two forms of identification, and your payment (if you did not already pay when you reserved your mailbox). If you paid for your mailbox when you reserved online, you will need to bring a copy of your receipt that was emailed to you as well.

You will receive your keys after you pay and it is confirmed with the post office in your new city that your application has been verified. Once you get your keys to your mailbox, you need to file a change of address form to forward your mail from your old address to your new address I you want your mail to go to your PO Box. If you do not want your mail to go from your old address to your PO Box, then you will need to forward your mail to your new home address in your new city.

If you’re wondering, “Can I get a PO Box before I move?”, the answer is yes. However, you must visit the post office in your new city to complete the verification process.

It is highly recommend that you set up an account on USPS.com to manage your PO Box.

Getting a post office box – it’s that easy!

I hope I answered your questions about getting a post office box in another city! It truly is an easy process, just like moving with U-Pack®! If you have any more questions about getting a mailbox, leave me a comment, or call the USPS at 800-274-8777.