3 easy steps on how to get a PO box

Getting a PO Box is a pretty simple process. You can sign up for your PO Box in person at your local post office, or reserve a PO Box online in advance, depending on availability. Before you do, it helps to understand the process so you can get set up without unnecessary delays.

Step 1. Pick a PO box location and size

First, you need to decide where you want your PO Box to be located and how big you want your mailbox to be based on your expected monthly mail deliveries.

How to choose your PO Box location

Selecting your PO Box location should be your primary consideration when you rent a PO Box. All PO Boxes reside on the premise of a post office. You’ll often pick a PO Box close to your home or work for convenience.

Can I get a PO Box in another state?

Yes, you can get a PO Box in another city if you prefer the city name (i.e. Delaware) over convenience. To look for a PO Box location in another city you can learn more on the USPS website.

Overall, to find the best PO Box location you should consider the amount of mail and packages you expect to receive on a weekly and monthly basis as well as how often you willing to travel to pick up your mail and packages.

Find post office locations on the USPS website.

Choosing your PO Box size

PO Boxes come in a range of sizes to accommodate different mail volumes and package needs, though availability can vary by post office. The U.S. Postal Service offers five standard box sizes:

• Extra Small (Size 1 – 3" x 5.5"): Designed for light mail volume, it typically holds around 10–15 letter-sized envelopes or a couple of rolled magazines.
• Small (Size 2 – 5" x 5.5"): Slightly larger, this size can fit roughly 10–15 letters or up to five rolled magazines.
• Medium (Size 3 – 11" x 5.5"): Wide enough to lay large envelopes and magazines flat for easier storage.
• Large (Size 4 – 11" x 11"): Offers more space for bulkier mail, such as small packages—often fitting items up to the size of a couple of shoeboxes along with standard letters.
• Extra Large (Size 5 – 22.5" x 12"): The largest option, built to accommodate substantial mail volumes and larger parcels, including many flat-rate boxes and medium-sized packages.

Picking the right size depends on how much mail you get, what type of mail you receive, and how often you pick up your mail. Based on some statistics, we estimate that a typical mailbox receives less than 6 pieces of mail per week.

General guidelines for picking a PO Box size

• Most small size postal boxes are sufficient for personal or business mail that you pick up once a week.
• If you subscribe to more than one periodical (i.e. magazines, newspapers), a medium size PO Box is a better choice.
• If you pick up mail once a month, a medium-large box is a good choice.

You can always get a small postal box and then upgrade to a larger one. However, USPS does not like your mailbox to overflow. If your mailbox overflows, they will ask you to move to a larger box. The hassle of moving to a new box is almost never worth it.

Note: If a PO Box isn’t for you because you expect more mail and packages than the sizes listed, another alternative is a virtual mailbox. Keep reading to learn how a virtual mailbox can solve any overflow and travel problems you may get with a PO Box.

Step 2. Get a PO Box

Once you decide on a location and size, you are ready to get a PO Box. There are two options to get a PO Box. You can either reserve a PO Box online or go to the post office in person.

Both ways require that you fill out a Form 1583 and present two forms of IDs, one of which must have a photograph of yourself. We have a more in-depth article you can read on what Form 1583 is for and why it's required.

Let’s cover what you will need to open a PO Box online and in person below.

How to get a PO Box online

1. To get a PO Box online, head to PO Boxes Online.
2. Reserve a mailbox by selecting a location and a mailbox size.
3. Bring two forms of ID and Form 1583 with you to the post office where your postal box is located.
4. Get the keys for your PO Box.

How to get a PO box in person

1. Bring two forms of ID with you.
2. Go to the post office where you want your PO Box located. Save yourself a trip by checking to see if the size of the PO Box you want is available online first.
3. Get a PO Box rental form (a variation of Form 1583) at the counter. Fill it out.
4. Turn it in at the counter and get your keys to your PO Box.

Step 3. Redirect your mail

Once you have your PO Box, the next step is to redirect your mail and packages to this new PO Box. You can either fill out a Change of Address Form online or pick one up at any post office. Fill it out and submit it. Your mail will then be forwarded to your new address for up to 1 year for First Class Mail.

How much is a PO Box

PO Box prices are all different depending on the location and the size. If you're looking for a postal box in an area that has less demand for the box, you will pay less. You can check PO Box pricing and availability online at USPS.

The minimum rental period for a PO Box is 3 months; however, you can pay for a PO Box rental for up to a year. If you decide to cancel your PO Box before the rental period is up, you can get a refund back for the remaining unused period in 3 month increments. For example, if you rent a PO Box for 6 months and you cancel your mailbox during month 2, you will get a refund for the last 3 months.

Need a better mailbox option? Get a virtual mailbox!

While PO Boxes can work for basic mail pickup, they often fall short for businesses or individuals who need more flexibility, credibility, or functionality. They don’t support many verification processes, can’t receive packages from all carriers, and require you to physically visit the post office just to access your mail.

A virtual mailbox offers a more modern alternative. Instead of being tied to a physical location, your mail is received at a real street address and then digitized for you. You can view, manage, forward, or store mail and packages from anywhere in the world—whether you’re running a business remotely, traveling frequently, or simply want a more efficient way to handle correspondence.

For more sophisticated needs like business registration, banking, or eCommerce operations, a virtual mailbox provides far more functionality than a traditional PO Box while keeping your mail accessible and organized in one place.

Take control of your mail today

VPM offers a virtual mailbox service that provides you with a permanent mailing address and business address to receive postal mail online. You’ll get instant notifications for time-sensitive items and you can view your mail at your convenience from any device, like email. Then, you decide whether to have the mail opened and scanned, mail forwarded, or trashed.