Home > Blog > What is USPS Form 1583 and Why Do You Need It For Your Virtual Mailbox?

What is USPS Form 1583 and Why Do You Need It For Your Virtual Mailbox?

November 9, 2022 | 5 min read
The USPS Form 1583 is a requirement to verify your virtual mailbox account. When you sign up for a virtual mailbox, you need to complete the USPS Form 1583, get it notarized, and submit it to the staff at your chosen mail center location. Here’s an in-depth guide to the form—from why you need it to how to fill it out and submit it.
What is USPS Form 1583?
The USPS Form 1583, or the Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent, is a document that authorizes a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) to receive and handle postal mail on behalf of the customer.
Anytime Mailbox partners with mail business centers and coworking locations that are approved CMRAs. This ensures that your postal mail and packages are secure and handled by staff authorized by USPS.
Why You Need to Complete the USPS Form 1583
The USPS Form 1583 grants the CMRA of your choice permission to receive and handle postal mail for you. The USPS requires anyone who rents a P.O. Box, a mailing address, or a virtual mailbox from a third-party location to fill out and submit a notarized copy of the form.
When you sign up for an Anytime Mailbox virtual mailbox, the CMRA staff at your chosen location will handle your postal mail and packages. The USPS Form 1583 gives them authority to do so on your behalf.
The form also helps the operator at your selected location verify the identity of all their virtual mailbox renters. This ensures that only you access your postal mail and packages.
It’s important to note that without the completed USPS Form 1583 on file, the operator at your selected location cannot receive your postal mail or packages and will mark it “RTS” (Return To Sender), sending it back to the Post Office.
How to Complete the USPS Form 1583
1. Download and fill out the USPS Form 1583
Check out the table below for a detailed breakdown of the parts of the form and what to write:
Section No.
Section Name
Section Description and Helpful Tips
Section 1
Date
The date when you complete and submit the form.
Section 2
Name in Which Applicant’s Mail Will Be Received for Delivery to Agent
This is the name of the mail recipient. So it can be your name or the name of your business. Spouses may also accomplish one form, but 2 types of IDs will still be required from the spouse.

This is the name your mail and packages will be addressed to, that the CMRA will receive packages on behalf of.
Section 3
Address to be Used for Delivery
Use the exact virtual mailbox address selected upon signing up with Anytime Mailbox. Remember, this must include the Mailbox Number you were assigned, which usually has the pound sign # in front of it.
Section 4
Applicant authorizes delivery to and in care of
  • In Section 4a, write the CMRA’s business name.
  • Sections 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e are for the address details of the CMRA – the Mailbox Business Center or Coworking locations you selected.
Section 5
This authorization is extended to include restricted delivery mail (Certified Mail) for the undersigned(s)
Add your signature to this field only if you want the Mailbox Center or Coworking center to receive and sign for Certified Mail on your behalf.

By placing your signature, you signify that you want to authorize the Mailbox Center or Coworking Operator to receive and sign for Certified Mail that states only the addressee may sign for it.

This section is optional. If you do not want the CMRA to sign for Certified Mail, you can leave this blank.
Section 6
Name of Applicant
Place your name here. The name in this section must match the name on the IDs you provide in Section 8. This field must always bear a person’s name. Each mailbox should be associated with a person even if it is applied for a company or business use.
Section 7
Applicant Home Address
Should bear your home address. The home address must be a physical address. Be sure to include a phone number where you can be reached.

Notes:
  • P.O. Box is not allowed.
  • The address provided must match the address on the IDs that you will submit.
  • The home address provided here is only for verification purposes.
Section 8
Two types of identification
In these fields, indicate the ID types and the corresponding ID numbers. For example: Driver’s License #: 99 999 999

These IDs must be the same IDs you need to present when you get this form notarized.

The IDs you provide need to include the following details:
  • Full Legal Name
  • Clear Recognizable Photo
  • Home Address
  • Signature

The details above on both IDs must be similar, especially the address.

The form lists acceptable IDs. US Government Issued IDs and passports are some of the best IDs you can use. You can also use a recent Utility Bill.
NOTE: The Following Sections Must Be Filled Out If You Will Use Your Virtual Mailbox for Business
Section 9
Name of Firm or Corporation
If applying for a virtual mailbox for business use, the company or business name must appear here.
Section 10
Business Address
Indicate current business address. If you operate a business from home or do not have a business physical address, provide your home address.

Do not put the mailbox address that you are applying for in this section. This is only for verification purposes.
Section 11
Type of Business
What your business does and the type of product or service you offer (e.g. online store, consultancy, retail).
Section 12
If applicant is a firm, name each member whose mail is to be delivered
Names of your business partners must appear here. Submit 2 valid IDs for each name listed in this section.

This field could also be used to add minors as recipients for the address. This should be filled out by their guardian.
Section 13
If a CORPORATION, Give Names and Addresses of Its Officers
If the business you are applying for is a Corporation, you must list the names of the officers of the company, their designation, and their home addresses. Two valid IDs are required per officer.
Section 14
If business name (corporation or trade name) has been registered, give name of county and state, and date of registration
If your business name is registered, provide the following:
  • County of Registration
  • State of Registration
  • Date of Registration

In some states, you may need to reference your DBA or “doing business as” files, also called a fictitious business name.
Section 15
Signature of Agent/Notary Public
This is for the notary or authorized agent to sign. Most online notaries will sign the document on a separate page. There will be a note in this section to check the attached document.
Section 16
Signature of Applicant
Affix your signature. For business applications, the signatory must provide their full name and position as an officer of the organization.
2. Notarize the Form
US Postmaster General regulations require the CMRA handling a mailbox renter’s mail to have a notarized USPS Form 1583 on file for each virtual mailbox renter. Getting the form notarized is non-negotiable and will be checked by the CMRA as they receive the form before your application is thoroughly verified and before the CMRA can receive mail on your behalf.
To notarize your USPS 1583 Form:
Prepare two valid IDs for the notarization process. Most people use a driver’s license and a recent utility bill. Here is a list of acceptable IDs:
  • Valid driver’s license or state non-driver’s identification card
  • A recent utility bill that matches the address on the valid driver’s license
  • Armed forces, government, university, or recognized corporate identification card
  • Passport
  • Alien registration card or certificate of naturalization
  • Current lease, mortgage, or Deed of Trust
  • Voter or vehicle registration card
  • Home or vehicle insurance policy
Using Remote Online Notary: We’ve made the notarization process more straightforward, smarter, and safer at Anytime Mailbox by partnering with Notarize, the “remote online notary” leader. The service costs $25.

The process is entirely remote and takes 10 minutes to complete; it can be done from the comfort of your couch. No need to drive to your local notary since Notarize will forward your notarized USPS Form 1583 directly to us. Notarize is safe and secure and is recognized in most states.

Watch the video below to learn more about using Notarize:


3. Submit the Form
Once you have completed the form and notarized it, you can submit it to your chosen location.
If you choose to use Notarize through the Anytime Mailbox platform, you won’t need to submit it in person at your selected location. The notarized form gets submitted digitally to your location, making it a more safe and more convenient transaction.
After You Complete the USPS Form 1583
After completing the form by notarizing and submitting it to your chosen location, you will get an official email notification that your application has been reviewed and that your virtual mailbox has been activated. Your location can now accept and manage postal mail and packages on your behalf.
Virtual mailbox users enjoy the convenience of managing their postal mail digitally with features like:





Completing the USPS Form 1583 is a requirement for using the full features of your virtual mailbox. Your chosen location cannot receive and manage your postal mail without this requirement.
  • The USPS Form 1583 protects you and keeps your mail safe in the hands of staff that comply with USPS regulations and federal law. It’s a simple and easy process, especially if you take advantage of our partnership with Notarize. A Remote Online Notary eliminates steps streamlining the process for your convenience while making the entire transaction more secure.
  • Getting started with a virtual mailbox is straightforward: 1) go to anytimemailbox.com, 2) select an approved location from 1,800+ across the U.S. and internationally, 3) select a plan/price, 4) enter your info and process payment, 5) complete the USPS Form 1583 and you are ready to go.
Have more questions? Contact our customer support team at (866) 444-8417 from 6AM to Midnight Monday through Friday Pacific Time. Or go to our Contact page.