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PO Boxes

Secure Your Mail at a Post Office

Keep your personal or small business mail safe with a Post Office Box (PO Box), a locked mailbox within a Post Office facility. You can rent a PO Box in a few steps:

  1. Apply online: Find, reserve, and pay for a box at a Post Office near you.
  2. Pick up your keys in person: Take your completed application and 2 forms of ID to the Post Office (where your box is) to get your keys.
  3. Get mail at your convenience: Flexible hours allow you to check your PO Box on your schedule.

Learn more about PO Box sizes, payment options, and benefits, then apply easily online.
Already have a PO Box? Manage Your PO Box

Why Rent a PO Box?

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Security

Know your packages and mail are safe at the Post Office and can only be picked up by you or people you specify.

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Privacy

Keep your home address private and important documents confidential for peace of mind.

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Flexibility

Get your mail on your schedule, your way, with a range of PO Box sizes and rental terms of 3-, 6-, and 12-months.

PO Box Size Options

Most Post Offices have 5 PO Box sizes, depending on availability*. Sizes range from extra small (XS – Size 1) to extra large (XL – Size 5). Choose your PO Box size based on the type of mail (letter-sized mail or packages) and how much mail and packages you receive.

Larger Packages for PO Boxes

If you get packages that don't fit into your PO Box, you'll either:

  • Get a slip to pick them up from the counter during normal business hours
  • Get your package from a secure parcel locker (including USPS® Smart Lockers at select locations) at your convenience

*Note: The depth of most PO Boxes is 14.75". All sizes not available in all locations. Prices differ depending on your location.

Additional Benefits of Renting a PO Box1

Aside from privacy and security, there are many other reasons to get a PO Box including:

  • 24/7 PO Box access at most Post Offices.
  • Street Addressing: Get a delivery address for packages from other carriers (including Amazon, DHL, FedEx, and UPS); subject to availability and restrictions.
  • Keep your signature on file so you don’t need to wait in line to sign for a package. When your signature is on file, we’ll place mail in your PO Box or in a secure parcel locker for pickup at your convenience.
  • Small businesses: Whether you've got a side hustle or a storefront, get a professional-looking address and keep your personal and business lives separate.

Already Have a PO Box?

Renew or Manage a PO Box Online

Save time and make an online payment for the PO Box that you're currently renting.

Manage PO Box

Add an Existing PO Box to Your Online Account

If you already have a PO Box, link it to your USPS.com account so you can easily manage it online.

Link PO Box

Informed Delivery by USPS

Bonus: Maximize your PO Box experience with the free Informed Delivery® feature for eligible personal and business accounts. Preview incoming letter-sized mail, track packages, and manage deliveries on the go.

Learn More

Find a PO Box Near You

Reserve a box with your existing or new USPS.com account.

Search

More on PO Boxes

The Basics

What is a PO Box?

A PO Box is a secure, numbered box located at the Post Office where your mail is kept until you collect it.

I would like to open a PO Box. What are the steps?

To open your PO Box online:

Step 1: Search for Post Office locations near you by using the search bar under "Find a PO Box Near You."

Step 2: Choose a Post Office location and select your desired PO Box size and payment period.

Step 3: Complete the online application form, accept the Terms & Conditions, enter your billing and payment information, and review and submit your application to reserve your PO Box.

Step 4: Print your completed form and bring it to the Post Office counter where your box is located, along with 2 forms of acceptable U.S. identification (within 30 days of submitting your online application). After the retail associate verifies your identity, you’ll get your PO Box keys.

To apply for a PO Box in person at a Post Office:

Step 1: Optional Time-Saving Tip: If you have a printer, download "PS Form 1093, Application for Post Office Box Service," Application for Post Office Box Service, fill it out, then print it out (note: if you apply for a PO Box online, this form is automatically generated). Bring the completed form with you to the Post Office.

Step 2: Bring your payment and 2 forms of acceptable U.S. identification to the Post Office and tell the retail associate at the counter that you'd like to apply for a PO Box.

What if the PO Box I want is not available?

You have a few options: You can choose another box size, find a box at a different location, or request to be added to the wait list (online or at a Post Office). If you request to be added to the wait list, your name will be placed on a list for that box size at the location you requested. We'll contact you via an email or phone call when the box becomes available. You'll then have 2 days to reserve the box before it goes to the next person on the wait list.

Can I get a PO Box in a different city or state?

Yes, you can. However, you are still required to visit the Post Office where your box is located, with the proper documentation, to pick up your PO Box keys or combination.

Payments

What options do I have for making a payment on my PO Box?

You have 4 different options for making a PO Box payment:

  • Online with a credit or debit card. Go to the PO Boxes Online application and click "Renew" to go to the "Manage PO Box" page. Then, click "Renew PO Box" to make a one-time payment. This feature is available 30 days before your next payment is due. Also note, when paying with a credit or debit card, you can store up to 3 credit or debit cards safely and securely in our system.
  • Pay at a self-service kiosk (SSK): You can find an SSK using Find USPS Locations.
  • Pay by mail: Send a check or money order payable to "U.S. Postal Service" to the Postmaster where your PO Box is located. (Include your PO Box number on the memo line of the check.)
  • Pay in person: Pay at the Post Office where your PO Box is located using cash, check, credit card, or debit card.

How frequently do I have to pay for my PO Box?

When you're ready to pay for your PO Box, you have 3 payment term options: 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months. A 3-month payment term requires enrolling in automatic renewals with no opt-out. However, if you choose a 6- or 12-month period, you can opt out of automatic renewals.

Can I renew my PO Box online, or do I have to do it in person?

There are 4 ways you can renew your PO Box:

  • Online with a credit or debit card. Go to the PO Boxes Online application and click Renew, which will take you to the "Manage PO Box" page. Then, click Renew PO Box. This feature is available 30 days before your next payment is due.
  • At a self-service kiosk. Find a kiosk.
  • Renew by mail. Send a check or money order payable to "U.S. Postal Service" to the Postmaster where your PO Box is located. (Include your PO Box number on the memo line of the check.)
  • Visit the Post Office where your box is located. Pay by cash, check, or credit card.

When do I need to pay my PO Box account renewal fee?

You must make payments by the 10th of the month the payment is due. If you don't make this payment, your PO Box will be closed on the 11th of the month.

Are PO Box rental fees eligible for a refund?

You pay for a full rental period at the beginning; however, if you decide to close your box, you'll get a partial refund depending on how long you've had the box. See full details on refunds.

Access & Services for Your PO Box

I recently opened a PO Box. How do I get my PO Box number and the keys for my box?

Once you've reserved your box, completed the PO Box application (PS Form 1093), paid the rental fee, and verified your 2 forms of acceptable ID at the Post Office counter where your box is located, you'll get 2 keys for your box. If you need more than 2 keys, you can request more for an additional fee.

Can I access my PO Box any time of the day?

Most PO Box locations allow 24/7 access to your PO Box; however, hours vary by Post Office location. Look up the hours for the facility where your PO Box is located.

I am a small business owner. Are there any additional services I can get with my PO Box?

If you are a small business owner, a few great services are available for you, including Caller Service, designed for customers who have more than 5 PO Boxes at one location or who receive more mail than will fit in the largest PO Box. If there is an overflow of mail, we'll hold the mail for you to pick up at a time that works best for you. Learn more about services available for small businesses.

Can I change my business account to a personal account or vice-versa?

You can change your personal account to a business account: Go to Your Profile and click Edit. In the upper right-hand corner, click Change to Business Account to switch your personal account to a business account.

If you currently have a USPS.com business account, you can't change your business account to a personal account. Instead, you'll need to create a new, separate personal account and re-verify your identity.

How do I manage my PO Box account online?

Select Manage PO Box, sign in, and you can:

  • Open a new PO Box
  • Add an existing PO Box to your online account
  • Add or manage the credit card you use for payment
  • Edit your User Profile
  • View your online payment history

What is Street Addressing and how can I get it for my PO Box?

An additional service to consider adding to your PO Box is Street Addressing. With Street Addressing (if available), you have the option of using the street address of your Post Office location, combined with your PO Box number, as your mailing address. This lets you receive packages from private carriers (such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, and Amazon), as long as they comply with USPS mailing standards. See the Customer Agreement for more details.

How do I close a PO Box if I move?

You can close a PO Box by going to Manage PO Box, signing in to your account, and clicking the Close/Request Refund link next to the box. You can also request a PO Box be closed by informing the retail associate at the Post Office where your box is located. Once a box is closed, be sure to submit a Change of Address (COA) form. Depending on where you close your box, the form will be provided online on your close/refund confirmation page or by the retail associate at the Post Office. Your mail can be forwarded to your new address for up to one year.

Can I receive items that need a signature to my PO Box?

Yes. For deliveries that require a signature, we'll leave a delivery notice inside your PO Box, and you'll go to the counter to sign for and pick up your package. If you sign up for the free Signature on File service, we'll leave the item in your PO Box.

Need More Help?

View FAQs

1. Additional services not available at all Post Office locations. Back ^