How to get a P.O. Box

To get a P.O. Box from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), a customer can reserve a box online or in person and pay the rental fee at the post office. A customer must also provide two forms of identification: one photo ID and one proof of physical address. 

Keep reading to learn how to get a P.O. Box, what’s required and what to consider before applying for one.

What you’ll learn:

• A P.O. Box is a numbered box within a post office that holds mail for an individual or business. It’s kept locked and typically requires a key for access.

• You can apply online or visit your local post office to get a P.O. Box. 

• P.O. Boxes can provide benefits like security and privacy. But there are some potential inconveniences to consider, like packages can only be delivered by the USPS.

A P.O. Box is a secure, personal mailbox located inside a post office. Mail is delivered directly to the numbered box and the owner can collect it at their convenience. Most P.O. Boxes use a lock and key for security, though some may use a combination lock.

You can use a P.O. Box for personal or professional reasons—they’re popular among small-business owners. P.O. Boxes may also be ideal for people who are ineligible for USPS home delivery.

If you follow a few steps, it can be easy to get a P.O. Box. Here’s what to expect during the process:

First, choose the P.O. Box size you’ll need. There are five sizes to pick from, ranging from extra small to extra large. 

• Extra small (XS): 3 inches by 5.5 inches. XS P.O. Boxes typically fit 10-15 letters or three rolled magazines.

• Small (S): 5 inches by 5.5 inches. S P.O. Boxes typically fit 15 letters or up to five rolled magazines.

• Medium (M): 11 inches by 5.5 inches. M P.O. Boxes are usually large enough to accommodate two small Priority Mail flat-rate boxes or multiple flat-stacked magazines.

• Large (L): 11 inches by 11 inches. L P.O. Boxes can typically fit two small boxes, with additional room for letters.

• Extra large (XL): 22.5 inches by 12 inches. The largest option, XL P.O. Boxes can hold multiple packages.

You can check with your local post office or the USPS’s website to see what sizes are available.

Once you have picked your size, you are ready to apply for a P.O. Box. You can apply online via the USPS online reservation system. The online application includes a step for payment information. 

You can also apply in person by heading to your preferred post office to complete a P.O. Box request form—PS Form 1093. Or print the form, complete it at home and bring it to the post office. There, you can pay for the box with cash, a credit card, a debit card, a check or a money order.

Until you verify your identity and current permanent address in person with two forms of ID—primary and secondary—your application isn’t complete, according to the USPS. If you apply online, you’ll have 30 days after submitting your application to visit your selected post office with the completed form and identification. 

Primary forms of ID must include a photo. Acceptable forms of primary ID include a:

• U.S. government ID that’s federal, state or tribal issued

• Passport 

• U.S. university ID 

Secondary forms of ID must verify the address provided on the P.O. Box application. Acceptable forms of secondary ID can include a:

• Lease, mortgage or deed of trust 

• Voter registration card 

• Vehicle registration card 

• Home or vehicle insurance policy

Once the post office verifies your identity and address, you’ll get your box number and keys to begin receiving mail. 

A P.O. Box can cost anywhere from $5 to $145 a month, depending on the post office’s location and the size of the box. S boxes generally cost around $6.50 per month, while XL boxes can cost up to $90 per month in some areas. Most locations also require a refundable key deposit fee. 

P.O. Box owners have the option to pay on three-, six- or 12-month terms. You may also have the option to pay online, at a self-service kiosk, by mail or in person at your P.O. Box’s location.

Yes, some people may be eligible for a free P.O. Box—also called a Group E P.O. Box—but they must meet specific requirements to qualify. 

For example, some customers may qualify for a free Group E P.O. Box if they live within a USPS delivery area but don’t receive regular carrier delivery at or near their physical address. Eligibility also depends on whether the address could otherwise qualify as a delivery point within that ZIP Code.

You can check out the USPS’s rules and regulations to see if you qualify for free P.O. Box services.

P.O. Boxes can be helpful for individuals and small businesses, but there are a few potential benefits and limitations to consider before applying.

A P.O. Box can provide potential benefits, including:

• Security: With a P.O. Box, your mail is locked within the post office. Only you, as the keyholding P.O. Box owner—and any other people you specify—may pick up mail from the box.

• Privacy: As a P.O. Box owner, you can keep your home address and other mailing addresses private from others. You can also receive important documents confidentially. 

• Flexibility: In general, P.O. Box users can choose when and where to get their mail, even if they wish to continue receiving home delivery.

A P.O. Box also has a few possible limitations, including: 

• Delivery limitations: P.O. Boxes can only receive mail from the USPS. This means that P.O. Box owners can’t receive packages delivered by UPS, FedEx or Amazon® directly to their boxes. 

• Access limitations: Most P.O. Boxes are located in post office lobbies. Although many post offices offer 24/7 lobby access, there are exceptions. You may want to check the lobby hours of your local post office before selecting it as your P.O. Box location.

A P.O. Box can be a convenient and secure way for people to receive mail. It could also help those looking for a secure address in a different state or city. However, keep in mind that certain packages shipped via non-USPS delivery services may need to be sent to a physical address.