Maybe you’re all about protecting your privacy and keeping your home address confidential as you kick off your LLC journey. Perhaps you’re a little further along and you’re ready to make the leap to open a business bank account. Regardless, you need a business address – and fast!

In this article, you'll discover what sets apart a VPM virtual mailbox address and a TruLease address. By the end, you should have a solid understanding of which address type is right for you.

What is a virtual mailbox address

Let’s start with the basics. A virtual mailbox address is a commercial street address with a customized mailbox number attached to it.

With a VPM virtual mailbox, your mailing address might read something like this:

1234 John Doe Blvd # 3541
Startup City, NV 10001

In terms of professionalism and practicality, a virtual mailbox address is miles ahead of a PO Box or UPS mailbox rental address.

You can use it to organize and receive mail, form an LLC, and protect your privacy. However, a virtual mailbox isn’t just for managing mail while running your remote business. It comes packaged with extra features, as well.

Benefits of a virtual mailbox address

Here at VPM, all virtual mailbox addresses are owned and operated by the company, allowing for on-site processing of your mail.

This unique approach offers a major advantage because it eliminates the need for mail to be forwarded to a central processing center, therefore reducing the risk of your mail being damaged or lost during transit. It also speeds up the delivery process, ensuring your mail is typically accessible within 1 business day.

Other significant benefits of a virtual mailbox address include:

  • 24/7 online mail management: Access your mail digitally from any device. With real-time notifications, you'll never miss a beat, especially when you’re in a time crunch.
  • Remote check deposit: Cash in customer checks without having to physically step foot at the bank. Pay as you go with no setup or monthly fees to worry about.
  • Mail and package forwarding: Ship your packages almost anywhere on the map and save even more when you consolidate them.
  • Free registered agent service: Maintain compliance and stay on top of important deadlines with same-day service of process.

How a virtual mailbox address can be used

Virtual mailbox addresses have a number of different uses, ranging from the more well-known, like online mail management, to the not-so-obvious, like maintaining state residency.

Some of the most common reasons to get a mailbox address include:

  • Protecting your privacy: Keeping your home address under wraps is especially crucial when your LLC documents hit the public domain post-formation.
  • Enhancing your professional business image: Give your startup an extra boost of credibility, building trust with your customers right off the bat. You know what they say – first impressions count!
  • Digitally managing and receiving mail: Gain access to mail scanning, package forwarding, and remote check deposit services so that you can manage both your personal and business mail items.
  • Maintaining residency: Get a U.S. address to stay connected to items such as your driver’s license, taxes, and other needs.

How a virtual mailbox address can’t be used

Virtual mailbox addresses are marked as Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) addresses, which means they are owned or leased by a private company. If you attempt to use a mailbox address in lieu of a physical address, it’s likely to be flagged and rejected (that’s where TruLease comes in).

For this reason, you won’t be able to use your virtual mailbox address for the following scenarios:

  • Establishing residency: To plant your roots officially, you'll need a residential address along with a couple of documents (think lease agreement, utility bill, and the like) to prove it.
  • Opening business banking accounts: Since your mailbox address doesn’t meet KYC regulations, you cannot use it to open a business bank account.
  • Opening merchant accounts like Stripe or Shopify payments: Unfortunately, KYC regulations also prevent you from using a mailbox address to open merchant accounts.

If you want to learn more about KYC regulations and how they can impact you as a business owner, this article is a great resource.

What is a TruLease address?

A TruLease address is a physical address that is obtained through VPM’s TruLease service.

Since it’s recognized and accepted as a real physical business address, whereas a mailbox address is not, it can be used to satisfy KYC compliance and proof of physical address requirements.

Benefits of a TruLease address

Instead of going through the motions of leasing a brick-and-mortar space, which is often a time-consuming and costly process, TruLease provides you with the opportunity to acquire a real, physical address for a fraction of the effort.

VPM does this by partnering with building owners to provide commercial office spaces for you to lease, allowing you to select an address in your location of choice without having to step foot there.

Some of the more substantial perks of a TruLease address include:

  • Real physical address: Your TruLease address isn’t tied to a mailbox address, registered agent office address, or coworking/virtual office address. It’s the real deal.
  • Lease agreement: With the service, you are required to sign a one-year lease agreement, just as if you were leasing the office space yourself. However, it’s your golden ticket for verifying your address when it’s time to open your business bank account.
  • Utility bill add-on: Need extra proof of address? No problem. You can request to have an optional utility bill added to your plan.
  • Affordability: Since you’re not locked into a pricey mortgage or responsible for overhead costs, TruLease lets you breathe easier on the financial front.
  • On-site office inspections and call verifications: An on-site property manager is available to verify your leased space should your bank or payment processor require it.

How a TruLease address can be used

Crafted with small business owners in mind, TruLease was designed to make business banking a breeze. Since your TruLease address comes with a lease agreement as well as the option to add a utility bill, you can use it for any scenario in which proof of address is required.

These include:

  • Opening business bank or merchant accounts: Safeguard your assets with a business bank account or integrate with merchant services on platforms like Shopify and other payment processors.
  • Launching an Amazon store: Tap into the global power of Amazon, one of the most popular online marketplaces, to showcase your products to a vast and diverse audience.
  • Obtaining a CAGE or DUNS number: Whether needed for securing funding or government-related activities, your TruLease address serves as a valid verification point for acquiring a CAGE or DUNS number.

How a TruLease address can’t be used

Although it certainly comes with its share of perks, there are a few situations in which your TruLease address won’t cut it.

Scenarios in which you can't use your TruLease address include:

  • Opening personal bank accounts: Since most banks require you to submit a residential address for verification, you’ll need to explore other options.
  • Creating a Google Business (formerly GoogleMyBusiness) profile: Listing your remote business on Google Business violates their terms of service, so we strongly recommend against doing this.
  • Receiving personal mail in a timely manner: While technically you can have mail sent to your TruLease address, it’ll take about a week to be forwarded, processed, and uploaded to your online account. For speedier service, stick to your mailbox address.

Which address is right for you?

Ultimately, the choice between a TruLease and virtual mailbox address depends on what your specific needs are.

If you’re looking for an address designed for a mixture of business and personal use, a mailbox address might be the perfect fit. With a virtual mailbox address, you can receive mail and packages while on-the-go, manage your mail online, protect your privacy when incorporating, and more.

If you need something a little more business-oriented because you plan to open a business bank account, establish an Amazon store, or partake in any other endeavor that requires proof of address, you may want to consider TruLease.

In the end, there is no wrong answer. Smooth travels!