USPS Form 1583: What It Is, How to Complete It, and Why It Matters

What is USPS Form 1583?

USPS Form 1583, officially titled "Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent," is a federal document required by the United States Postal Service for anyone who wants to receive mail through a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA). This form establishes the legal authorization for a third party—such as a virtual mailbox provider—to receive, handle, and manage your mail on your behalf.

When is USPS Form 1583 required?

You must complete USPS Form 1583 whenever you want to get your mail through any virtual mailbox provider, including P.O. boxes, virtual mailbox services, mail forwarding companies, or private mailbox stores. 

The form is mandatory in several situations, whether you're setting up mail services for personal use, business purposes, or both. You’ll use it when establishing a virtual company address, setting up mail forwarding services while traveling or relocating, using a private mailbox for privacy reasons, or receiving mail at a commercial address that isn't your primary residence. Even if you're only using the service temporarily, the USPS requires completed Form 1583 before any mail delivery can begin.

Why do you need USPS Form 1583?

The primary purpose of Form 1583 extends beyond simple mail forwarding. It enables the U.S. Postal Service to maintain accurate records of who is receiving mail at commercial addresses, which helps prevent mail tampering and fraud, identity theft, and other postal crimes. 

Legal requirements and compliance

Federal law under 39 CFR § 111.1 mandates that all CMRAs verify the identity of their customers before accepting mail delivery. USPS Form 1583 fulfills this legal requirement by creating an official record of authorization between you and your chosen CMRA.

The form establishes several key legal protections: it creates a paper trail for mail delivery authorization, provides identity verification to prevent mail theft, ensures compliance with anti-money laundering regulations, and protects against mail fraud schemes. Failure to complete this form properly can result in mail delivery suspension and potential legal complications.

Who must complete the form?

Every individual or business entity that wants to get their mail through a CMRA must complete USPS Form 1583. This may include entrepreneurs establishing virtual business addresses, digital nomads using mail forwarding, expatriates maintaining U.S. mail access, small business owners separating business and personal mail, and individuals seeking privacy protection for their home addresses.

The form requirement applies regardless of your resident status or location. Non-U.S. resident customers can complete it to receive U.S. mail through virtual mailbox services, using their passport as identification.

How to complete USPS Form 1583: A step-by-step guide

Completing the USPS form successfully requires careful attention to detail and proper preparation. Most CMRAs, including LegalZoom, offer streamlined processes that guide you through each step and provide auto-fill capabilities to reduce errors. However, understanding the complete process helps you prepare and avoid common mistakes that can delay your service activation.

Gather the required documents

First, you’ll need to make sure you have two forms of ID: a photo ID and address ID. Your photo ID can be any of the following (but it must be currently valid with no expiration date passed): 

• A state photo ID card, such as a valid driver's license
• Passport (from the United States or another country) or passport card
• U.S. permanent resident card or Certificate of Naturalization (issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
• Uniformed service identification card
• U.S. university student identification card
• Tribal identification card (for a federally or state-recognized tribal nation)
• USAccess Card (for federal employees)
• Matricula Consular (Mexico)
• NEXUS card (part of the joint expedited border control program between the United States and Canada)

Acceptable address IDs include the following:

• A current lease, mortgage, or deed of trust
• Voter or vehicle registration card
• Home or vehicle insurance policy
• A state, territory, or tribal ID card

The address on your secondary identification must match the permanent address you list on the form. 

Download or access the form

Download a PDF version of USPS Form 1583 from the USPS website, which you can either fill out digitally or print out and complete manually. 

Many commercial mail receiving agencies provide their own versions of the form or online portals that auto-populate form fields based on your account information. LegalZoom offers an integrated form completion system that guides you through each section and pre-fills information from your account setup, reducing the chance of errors and speeding up the process.

When using online form systems, ensure you're working with a legitimate CMRA that uses current form versions (the official Form 1583 was last updated in June 2024).

Fill out each section

Complete each box accurately, as any discrepancies between your form and ID can cause processing delays or rejection:

• Ensure that your complete legal name is exactly as it appears on your proof of identification
• Provide your permanent home address (even if you're setting up a virtual mailing address for business use, you must provide your personal residential address for identity verification purposes) 
• Provide any relevant business/organization information
• Enter the CMRA information, including the business name and address where you'll get mail (your CMRA typically completes this section, but verify that all information is accurate before signing)

If you don't have a permanent address due to nomadic lifestyle or frequent travel, use the address listed on your driver's license or vehicle insurance policy. 

The identification section requires you to list both primary and secondary forms of ID that you'll present during notarization. Ensure all listed documents are current and valid.

Get the form notarized, then submit

The form must be notarized in the presence of a notary public. The notarization process verifies your identity by comparing you to your identification documents and witnessing your signature on the form.

After the form is notarized, your CMRA submits the notarized form to the U.S. Postal Service and retains a copy for their records.

Common mistakes to avoid when completing USPS Form 1583

Many applicants encounter preventable issues that delay their virtual mail setup or require form resubmission. Understanding these common pitfalls and how to avoid them ensures smooth processing and faster service activation.

Troubleshooting missing documents

Document preparation is the most critical aspect of Form 1583 completion. Start by gathering all required identification well before your notarization appointment. If you discover missing documents, take immediate action to obtain them rather than proceeding with incomplete documentation.

For missing primary identification, contact your state DMV for driver's license replacement, apply for passport renewal through the U.S. Department of State if needed, or request replacement cards from the issuing agency for military or university IDs. These processes can take several weeks, so plan accordingly.

If you can’t find acceptable proof of address, contact your mortgage lender or property manager for copies of housing documents, obtain insurance policy documents from your insurance agent, and check with your local county clerk's office for property deed copies.

Address and residency issues

Address consistency across all documents is crucial for successful Form 1583 processing. Your permanent address on the form must exactly match your proof of address documentation. Even minor discrepancies like apartment number formatting or street abbreviations can cause processing delays.

If you've recently moved, update your address with relevant agencies before completing the form. This includes updating your driver's license, voter registration, and insurance policies. While this may seem time-consuming, it prevents complications during the verification process.

For individuals without traditional permanent addresses, such as digital nomads or frequent travelers, use the address listed on your most recent driver's license or vehicle insurance policy. This provides the consistency needed for verification while accommodating non-traditional living situations.

Business vs. personal mailbox tips

When establishing a virtual mailing address for business purposes, remember that Form 1583 still requires your personal residential information for identity verification. This often confuses business owners who expect to use company addresses throughout the process.

The form requires your personal home address regardless of whether the virtual mailbox is for business or personal use. This is strictly for identity verification and doesn't affect your ability to use the virtual address for business purposes once established.

After completing the form and activating your virtual mailing address, you can use that address for many business-related activities, including business registration, banking, and professional licensing. The personal address requirement only applies to the initial identity verification process.

For businesses with multiple owners or employees who need access to the virtual mailbox, each individual must complete a separate form. USPS requires individual authorization for each person who will have access to mail at the commercial address.

How LegalZoom can help with USPS Form 1583 and virtual mailboxes

LegalZoom’s virtual mail services include automated form completion and online notarization to ensure smooth processing and quick service activation.

When you sign up for LegalZoom's virtual mail service, our system automatically populates Form 1583 with information from your account, reducing errors and saving time. We then connect you with a certified online notary who completes the verification process via secure video calls, eliminating the need to find local notary services or schedule in-person appointments.

Beyond Form 1583 completion, our MailBox or MailRoom plans provide ongoing mail management through a secure online portal. You can view mail digitally, request mail forwarding, schedule package delivery, and manage addresses from anywhere.

Ready to get started with your virtual mailbox? LegalZoom makes USPS Form 1583 completion simple and stress-free, so you can focus on growing your business while we handle your mail management needs.

FAQs about USPS Form 1583

What happens if I don't fill out USPS Form 1583?

Attempting to obtain mail through a CMRA without proper Form 1583 completion can result in mail being returned to senders, service suspension, and potential legal complications. The form is a federal requirement, not an optional convenience, so completion is mandatory for all virtual mail address users.

What if my address changes after submitting Form 1583?

If your permanent residential address changes after submitting Form 1583, you must complete a new form with your updated address information. The Postal Service requires current address information for security and verification purposes, so outdated forms can cause service disruptions. Contact your CMRA immediately when your address changes to understand their specific update procedures. 

How long does USPS Form 1583 approval take?

Form 1583 processing typically takes 1–3 business days after your CMRA submits it to the Postal Service. However, processing times can vary based on USPS workload and the accuracy of your submitted information. Ensuring accuracy and completeness during initial submission helps minimize processing delays.

Can I use USPS Form 1583 for a business entity?

While Form 1583 requires personal identification information, you can use the resulting virtual mailbox for business purposes once established. The form verifies your individual identity as the authorized person to receive mail at the commercial address.

For businesses with multiple owners or employees needing mail access, each individual must complete a separate form. The postal service requires individual authorization rather than blanket business authorization for mail receiving services.

What if I have no permanent address?

If you don't have a traditional permanent address due to travel, nomadic lifestyle, or temporary housing situations, use the address listed on your driver's license or vehicle insurance policy. These documents provide the address consistency needed for Postal Service verification.

How do I submit forms from outside the United States?

International customers can complete USPS Form 1583 through online processes offered by most CMRAs. The notarization can typically be completed via video call with online notary services, eliminating the need for international travel or in-person appointments.

Ensure your identification documents meet USPS requirements for international applicants, and verify that any non-English documents are properly translated. Your CMRA can guide you through specific requirements for international Form 1583 completion.