In order to get set up with a virtual mailbox, you’ll need to complete and submit Form 1583 from the U.S. Postal Service.
Read below to learn everything you need to know about USPS Form 1583. We’ll include the forms of identification you’ll need, how to get the document notarized, and more.
To put it simply, the USPS 1583 form is a postal consent document that authorizes other parties to collect and handle your mail. CMRAs (which we’ll explain below) are required by law to get a signed copy of this form from their customers in order to be able to legally receive mail on their behalf.
CMRA stands for “commercial mail receiving agency.” Any business that handles mail for their customers is considered a CMRA. That includes virtual mailbox services like Stable, mail forwarding services, and other entities that you might hire or contract to handle mail.
Consumers and business owners who want to hire or contract a CMRA to handle mail for them will need to fill out USPS Form 1583. When the CMRA has a signed copy on file, you’re granting them legal permission to collect and handle your mail.
If you want to get signed up for a virtual address and mailbox, you’ll need to complete USPS 1583 to grant the provider permission to accept mail on your behalf. Whereas some virtual mailbox providers require this document to be notarized, Stable doesn’t — making the process smoother and less complicated from the start.
Instead, Stable uses an in-house identity verification process, eliminating the need for notarization. All we need is photo identification and a proof of address — which can be inside the U.S. or international.
If you’ve never filled out Form 1583, don’t worry; it’s easy. Open Form 1583 in another window and follow along as we walk you through each step below.
List the date that you’ll open your private or virtual mailbox, plus the date that you plan to close it. If you plan to leave the mailbox open indefinitely, leave Box 1b blank.
List the street address of your private or virtual mailbox service location, as well as the mailbox number you’ll be assigned.
This denotes whether you’ll be using the service for business, an organization (like a nonprofit or government agency), or for personal use. Check the appropriate box.
Fill out your full name, phone number, email address, and home address. The address here must match the address of the documentation that you’ll provide in Box 9.
This section authorizes an individual within your service provider’s company to handle your mail. Add their full name, phone number, email address, and home address.
You’ll only need to complete this section if you plan to have your mail shipped from your private or virtual mailbox to another address.
If you’re registering for this service as a business or organization, provide all relevant information here: The business name, type of business, full street address, phone number, and the place of registration.
If your business is registered in the United States, the place of registration will be your county and state. If your business is registered overseas, list the country in which it is registered.
Next, fill out your name, ID number, issuing entity, and expiration date as they appear on your photo ID. In Box 8e, check what type of photo ID you’re using to fill out this form.
For this box, you’ll need a document verifying your home street address (international addresses are allowed). Put in your name and home street address as it appears on your attached document. In Box 9g, check which type of document you’re using.
The authorized individual for your mailbox service will need to fill this section out. They’ll need to add their name, ID number, issuing entity, expiration date, and the ID type.
This is address verification for the authorized individual for your mailbox service. Have them fill this out, too, with supporting address ID documentation.
You can list additional people from your business or organization who can receive mail at your virtual or private mailbox here.
Sign your name and add the date.
If you’re a Stable customer, we’ll prefill Form 1583 for you and don’t require notarization. However, some entities do. At the very bottom of Form 1583, you’ll see a box for the notary public to fill out. If your mailbox provider requires notarization, you can take this form to a notary or use an online notarization service to fully complete this section.
To fill out Form 1583 properly, you’ll need to attach copies of a photo ID and address ID.
For photo IDs, you can use a:
For the address ID, you can use a:
You can go to your local post office branch to get a copy of this form, or you can download it here. But even better, you can let Stable fill it out for you!
When you set up an address with Stable, we’ll prefill Form 1583 for you so that you don’t have to go through the step-by-step process above. That makes getting setup with a virtual mailbox easy and seamless.
Just provide us with copies of both your primary photo ID and secondary address ID, and we’ll do the rest — no notarization required.
For business customers, you’ll need to provide your company name and incorporation information.
Our international business customers with businesses incorporated in the United States can use our Registered Agent service to help fill out this form.
Once you have completed USPS Form 1583, some providers require it to be notarized. Banks, accountant offices, photocopy shops, and parcel shipping stores all offer in-person notary services for a small fee. You can also use an online notary service like Notarize or NotaryCam.
If you’re not a U.S. resident, notarization can be a little more difficult — but not impossible. Look into online notary services first. These are often the easiest alternative for international residents. You can also get documents notarized at U.S. Embassies and Consulates, too.
Ready to get started? Filling out Form 1583 is necessary to get a virtual mailbox. You can use the steps above, or simply submit acceptable IDs during the Stable registration process, and we’ll do the legwork for you.
It’s easy. Just click here and get your virtual mailbox up and running in minutes.
