Renting a USPS PO Box is fairly simple, but the cost and requirements depend on the Post Office you choose.
You can reserve a PO Box online or apply in person, choose from available box sizes, select a 3-, 6-, or 12-month rental period, provide two acceptable forms of identification, and pay the applicable fee.
If you’re mainly wondering how much a PO Box costs per month, there isn’t one nationwide monthly price.
USPS sets PO Box fees by location, box size, and fee group, and the current rates are based on the rental period you select.
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How Much Does a PO Box Cost Per Month?
USPS does not generally rent PO Boxes at one flat monthly rate. Depending on the location, you can select a 3-, 6-, or 12-month rental period. The price also varies by box size and the fee group assigned to that Post Office. (USPS)
To work out the monthly equivalent, divide the rental fee by the number of months in the rental period.
For example, under USPS’s 2026 rates, a Market Dominant PO Box in Fee Group 1 costs $79 for six months for Size 1. That works out to about $13.17 per month when averaged over six months.
A Size 5 box at the same fee group costs $553 for six months, or about $92.17 per month. These are monthly equivalents, not separate monthly rental prices. (Postal Explorer)
| PO Box size | Example 6-month fee | Monthly equivalent |
| Size 1 | $79 | $13.17 |
| Size 2 | $118 | $19.67 |
| Size 3 | $206 | $34.33 |
| Size 4 | $355 | $59.17 |
| Size 5 | $553 | $92.17 |
Important: These are examples from Fee Group 1 for Market Dominant PO Boxes. Your local Post Office may have a different fee group and price. USPS’s current price list shows different fees across seven Market Dominant fee groups, so you should check the specific location before budgeting for a PO Box.
What Is a USPS PO Box?
A PO Box is a locked mailbox located inside a Post Office. Instead of having mail delivered to your home or another physical address, you give senders your PO Box address and collect your mail from the Post Office.
USPS offers PO Boxes in several sizes, although availability depends on the location. The standard sizes range from Size 1 (extra small) through Size 5 (extra large).
A PO Box can be useful if you:
- Don’t want to use your home address for routine mail
- Want a consistent mailing address
- Receive important letters or documents
- Move frequently but want a separate mailing address
- Run a business that receives regular mail
- Want your mail held at a Post Office rather than delivered to your home
A PO Box is a mailing address, though. It does not replace your physical or residential address when a form or organization specifically asks where you live.
What Do You Need to Rent a PO Box?
USPS requires applicants to provide two forms of acceptable identification when establishing PO Box service.
One must contain a photograph, while the other must be traceable to the person and provide the required physical address information.
You will also need to provide information such as your name, physical address, contact information, and the type and size of PO Box you want.
Do You Need a Physical Address to Get a PO Box?
Yes. USPS requires identification that establishes your physical address when you apply for PO Box service.
A PO Box is not a way to avoid providing USPS with your physical address during the application process.
This is different from the mailing address you give to people who send you mail.
What Form Do You Need to Rent a PO Box?
For a USPS PO Box, the application is PS Form 1093, Application for Post Office Box Service.
If you apply online, USPS generates the form as part of the application process. If you apply at the Post Office, you can download and complete PS Form 1093 before you go.
Don’t confuse PS Form 1093 with PS Form 1583.
Form 1583 is associated with Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) services, such as many private mailbox and virtual mailbox services.
It is not the standard application for renting a USPS PO Box.
How to Rent a PO Box Online
You don’t have to start by standing in line at the Post Office. USPS allows you to search for and reserve available PO Boxes online.
Step 1: Find one near you Go to the USPS PO Box page and search using your address, city and state, or ZIP Code. USPS will show participating locations and available box options. (USPS)
Step 2: Choose a Post Office Compare the available locations and choose the one that works best for you. Keep in mind that the closest Post Office may not have the size you want. Availability varies by location.
Step 3: Choose your box size USPS offers several PO Box sizes. Select the one that matches the amount and type of mail you normally receive.
Step 4: Select your rental period Depending on the box and location, USPS offers 3-, 6-, or 12-month rental periods.
Step 5: Complete the application and pay Complete the online application, agree to the terms, and submit your payment to reserve the box.
Step 6: Verify your identity at the Post Office After applying online, print the completed form and take it to the Post Office where your box is located.
You must bring two acceptable forms of U.S. identification within 30 days of submitting the online application. Once your identity is verified, USPS will provide your keys or lock combination.
Looking for a better alternative to a PO Box?
How to Rent It In Person
If you’d rather handle the application at the Post Office, you can apply in person.
Bring:
- PS Form 1093, if you’ve completed it ahead of time
- Two acceptable forms of identification
- Payment
Tell the retail associate that you want to rent a PO Box. The Post Office can tell you which box sizes are available at that location and the applicable rental fee.
If you haven’t filled out the form beforehand, you can complete the application as part of the process.
What Size Should You Get?
USPS offers five standard PO Box sizes, but the exact availability depends on the Post Office.
The right size depends less on how much mail you receive in a typical week and more on what kind of mail you receive and how often you collect it.
Size 1: Extra Small — This is the smallest option. It may work if you mainly receive letters, postcards, and other small pieces of mail.
Size 2: Small — A small box gives you more room than Size 1 and may be suitable if you receive regular personal or business correspondence.
Size 3: Medium — A medium box can make sense if you receive a larger volume of mail or larger envelopes.
Size 4: Large — A larger box is useful for people or businesses that receive a significant amount of mail and don’t want the box filling up quickly.
Size 5: Extra Large — The largest standard size is intended for customers who receive substantially more mail.
Tip: If you’re between two sizes, consider how often you can realistically collect your mail. A box that looks large enough at first can become inconvenient if you leave mail there for several days at a time.
Can You Receive Packages at a PO Box?
You can receive packages addressed to your PO Box through USPS, but package delivery depends on the service and the circumstances.
USPS also offers Street Addressing at participating Post Offices, which can allow eligible customers to use the Post Office’s street address together with their PO Box number for certain packages.
Availability is not universal, so check with the specific Post Office before relying on this option.
This matters if you regularly order online or receive packages from carriers other than USPS.
A standard PO Box should not be treated as automatically accepting every package from every carrier.
Does a PO Box Give You a Street Address?
A regular USPS PO Box gives you a PO Box address, not a residential street address.
For example, your mailing address may look like:
Jane Smith PO Box 123 Austin, TX 78701
That is different from:
Jane Smith 123 Main Street Austin, TX 78701
Some USPS locations offer Street Addressing for PO Box customers, but it is only available at participating locations and under USPS rules.
If you specifically need a street-address format for business registration, banking, licensing, or another purpose, check the requirements of the organization before renting a PO Box.
Can You Use a PO Box for Your Business?
A PO Box can be useful for receiving business mail, but it isn’t accepted everywhere as a business address.
Some banks, government agencies, licensing authorities, payment processors, and other organizations may ask for a physical address or principal place of business instead of a PO Box.
So before using a PO Box for your company, check what type of address the organization requires.
A PO Box can still be a useful business mailing address even when you need to provide a separate physical address elsewhere.
Do You Need a Change of Address When You Get a PO Box?
Not necessarily. Simply renting a PO Box does not mean you must submit a USPS Change of Address order.
There are different situations:
- You are keeping your current home: You can simply give your PO Box address to people and businesses that should send mail there.
- You are moving: You may submit a Change of Address order if you want USPS to forward eligible mail from your old address.
- You are closing your PO Box: You may need to arrange for your mail to be forwarded to another address.
The important point is that renting a PO Box and submitting a Change of Address order are two separate USPS services.
How Often Do You Pay for a PO Box?
USPS offers rental periods of 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on the box and location.
USPS also offers automatic renewal options. For three-month rentals, automatic recurring payment is required under USPS’s online payment policy. For six- and twelve-month rentals, automatic recurring payment is the default, although customers can opt for manual payment instead.
If you’re comparing PO Box prices, pay attention to the full rental period, not just the monthly equivalent.
Are There Extra PO Box Fees?
The rental fee isn’t necessarily the only charge you may encounter.
USPS’s current price list includes additional PO Box-related fees, including charges associated with keys and lock replacement or late payment.
For example, the current price list shows a $6 deposit per key issued and a $14 charge for key duplication or replacement after the first two keys, while the lock replacement/late payment fee is $30.
Competitive locations have different rules for the key deposit.
Because fees can change, check the current USPS pricing for the location you’re considering rather than relying on an old PO Box price table.
Can You Cancel a PO Box?
Yes. USPS provides an online PO Box management system that allows customers to manage services such as renewing, closing, and requesting refunds where applicable.
If you’re closing the box, check the current USPS refund rules before doing so. The amount you may receive depends on the rental term, when you close the box, and whether the box is active or inactive.
Can You Get a Refund for a PO Box?
In some cases, yes. USPS has specific refund rules based on the rental period and when the box is closed. Because these rules are easy to misunderstand and can change, check the current USPS PO Box terms before assuming you’ll receive a particular amount back.
If a refund is important to you, don’t rely on an old percentage or a third-party explanation. Check your PO Box account or the current USPS terms for the applicable rules.
PO Box vs. Virtual Mailbox: Which Is Better?
A USPS PO Box isn’t the only way to separate your mailing address from your home.
A virtual mailbox is a different type of mail service. Instead of visiting a Post Office to check a physical box, the provider receives your mail at a physical location and gives you online access to your mail.
Here’s the basic difference:
| USPS PO Box | Virtual mailbox |
| Physical box at a Post Office | Mail received at a provider’s physical location |
| You generally collect mail in person | Mail can be viewed and managed online |
| USPS PO Box address | May provide a street-address format, depending on the provider and location |
| Primarily designed for receiving mail | May offer scanning, forwarding, shredding, and other mail-handling options |
| USPS service | Private mail service |
A PO Box may be the better fit if you simply want a secure place to receive USPS mail and don’t mind collecting it yourself.
A virtual PO box may make more sense if you travel often, work remotely, live away from your mailing address, or want to manage your mail without visiting a physical mailbox.
For example, PostScan Mail offers virtual mailbox services that let customers manage mail online, including options such as mail scanning and forwarding.
Explore PostScan Mail’s Virtual Mailbox service. You can also read more about the difference between a physical and virtual PO Box.
Official sources for final fact check
USPS Acceptable Identification
*Image Credit: USPS PO Box Registration
