Though there are a lot of services out there that will check mail while you're traveling, sometimes you just need a good ol' P.O. Box.
The process is fairly straightforward, though there are a few details worth knowing-like what IDs to bring, how renewals work, and what those mysterious "street addresses" really mean. Here's how to open a USPS P.O. Box (and what I learned from doing it myself).
Renting a PO box is like stepping into the golden age of the past, where things are just simple and works.
The application process for a post office box
The process is fairly straightforward, and though you can do it in person, it is easiest to do it online.
In order to do so, you'll need a USPS account in order to apply for a post office box.
First, the minimum amount of time to rent a post office box is 3 months. The rental periods are 3, 6, or 12-months. A 3-month rental requires automatic renewals (though you can cancel about 2 weeks before its set to renew). The others allow you to opt out.
Though the cost of renting a post office box varies across locations, it cost me $60 for the smallest 3 inch x 5.5 inch box in New York City, or $20 per month.
After paying and selecting a location, USPS will then send a paper application that has to be printed out (if you're using it for personal and commercial, indicate that!) that will need to be brought to the post office in person.
It will also require two forms of ID verification with your new or old address, one photo and non-photo (two photo IDs do not suffice!). I made the mistake of bringing my passport, and was able to bring up an old copy of my lease on my form.
At this point, it's worth deciding if you want to add an additional representative for the PO box, package acceptance and street addressing, as these things come with no extra charge. (Street addressing is an address to the post office box with a more "traditional" address.)
After going through the process, I was presented with a post office box number and two keys to my own little world.
Learning the ropes around having a post office box
Post office boxes in Gramercy, New York. (Erica Ho / Map Happy)
Obviously, the next step after this is doing an official change of address.
USPS provides two addresses, the first being the traditional PO Box format, and the other in street addressing format.
The traditional PO box format is the recommended format, while the street addressing format is for package deliveries, since companies like Amazon, DHL, FedEx, and UPS that require a street address for delivery.
The traditional PO box format is as follows:
Name
PO Box [Number]
City, State ZIP Code
Yes, that's it. It turns out the process for addressing to a post office is pretty simple. 😅
The street addressing format is as follows (please note my street addressing had a different zip code from my PO box!):
Name
Address Unit [Number]
City, State ZIP Code
That's it! Now go check yourself some mail, and maybe sign up for some Informed Delivery lol.
