USPS Form 1583: Complete Guide to the Mailbox Authorization Form (2026)

What Is USPS Form 1583?

USPS Form 1583 — officially titled "Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent" — is a federal form required by the United States Postal Service whenever you authorize a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) to accept mail on your behalf. It establishes a legal relationship between you (the applicant) and the mail receiving agent.

Without a completed and notarized Form 1583, a CMRA cannot legally receive your mail. This applies to virtual mailbox services, mail forwarding companies, and similar businesses that handle mail for customers.

Who Needs Form 1583?

You need to file USPS Form 1583 if you use any of the following services:

Virtual mailbox providers — services like VirtualPostMail, iPostal1, Anytime Mailbox, and similar platforms that receive, scan, and forward your mail require Form 1583 before they can accept mail on your behalf.

Mail forwarding services — any business that receives mail at their address and redirects it to yours falls under CMRA regulations and requires this form.

Commercial Mail Receiving Agencies (CMRAs) — by definition, any business registered as a CMRA with USPS must collect Form 1583 from each customer.

Who Does NOT Need Form 1583?

Not every address service requires Form 1583. The form is specifically tied to CMRA registration with USPS. If you use an address service that operates under a different legal structure, Form 1583 may not apply:

Commercial sublease arrangements — if you hold a genuine sublease for physical office space (like a commercial sublease agreement), you are a tenant with legal rights to that address. Mail delivered to your suite goes to your leased space, not through a third-party agent. No Form 1583 is required because no one is receiving mail "on your behalf."

Traditional office leases — standard commercial leases give you direct mail receiving rights at your address.

Coworking spaces with dedicated mailboxes — some coworking arrangements provide mail receiving as part of a tenancy agreement rather than an agency relationship.

The distinction matters because CMRA addresses (which use Form 1583) are flagged in banking and compliance databases. Banks performing KYB verification can detect CMRA addresses and may treat them as higher risk. A commercial sublease avoids this issue entirely because the address is not registered as a CMRA.

How to Fill Out Form 1583

The form itself is straightforward but must be completed precisely. Here is a field-by-field walkthrough:

Section 1: Applicant Information

Provide your full legal name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID. For businesses, include both the business entity name and the name of the authorized representative.

Section 2: Agent Information

This section identifies the CMRA that will receive your mail. Your mail service provider typically pre-fills this section with their name, address, and CMRA permit number.

Section 3: Address for Delivery

Enter the CMRA address where your mail will be delivered. This must match the address on file with the CMRA.

Section 4: Types of Mail

Specify which types of mail the agent is authorized to receive. Options include letters, flats, parcels, and specific mail classes. Most applicants authorize all mail types.

Section 5: Duration

Form 1583 can be set for a specific period or indefinitely. Most CMRA customers file for the duration of their service agreement.

Notarization Requirements

USPS requires Form 1583 to be notarized. This is non-negotiable. The notarization serves as identity verification — confirming that you are who you claim to be on the form.

Two Valid IDs Required

When getting Form 1583 notarized, you must present two forms of identification, at least one of which must include a photograph. Acceptable IDs include:

• Valid driver's license or state ID (photo required)
• Current passport (domestic or foreign)
• Government-issued ID card
• Military ID
• University or employer ID card (as a secondary ID)

Notarization Options

In-person notarization — visit any licensed Notary Public. This is the fastest option if you are physically in the United States. Many UPS stores, banks, and shipping centers offer notary services.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) — if you are outside the US or prefer remote processing, many states now permit Remote Online Notarization. Services like Proof, Notarize, and SignNow connect you with a licensed notary via video call. You complete the notarization digitally with electronic signatures and a recorded video session.

RON is particularly useful for international applicants who cannot easily access a US-based notary. The process typically takes 15 to 30 minutes and costs between $25 and $50.

Common Mistakes That Delay Processing

Name mismatch — the name on Form 1583 must exactly match the name on your IDs. If your passport says "Robert J. Smith" but you write "Bob Smith" on the form, it will be rejected.

Missing second ID — many applicants arrive at the notary with only one form of identification. Remember: two IDs are mandatory, one with a photo.

Incorrect agent information — the CMRA details in Section 2 must match the agent's registration with USPS. If your provider sends you a pre-filled form, use it rather than filling this section yourself.

Expired IDs — both forms of identification must be current and unexpired at the time of notarization.

Digital signatures without proper RON — a simple electronic signature (like DocuSign) does not satisfy the notarization requirement. You need either a traditional wet-ink notarization or a proper Remote Online Notarization through an authorized platform.

Form 1583 vs. Commercial Sublease: Understanding the Difference

Many entrepreneurs forming US LLCs — particularly international founders — face a decision about how to establish their business address. The two main approaches involve very different legal structures:

CMRA Address (Requires Form 1583)

A CMRA address means a third party receives and handles mail on your behalf. You sign Form 1583 to authorize this arrangement. The address is registered in the USPS CMRA database.

Pros: Lower cost, mail scanning and forwarding services included, many locations available nationwide.

Cons: Address is flagged as CMRA in verification databases, may trigger additional scrutiny during bank KYB review, cannot prove physical business presence.

Commercial Sublease (No Form 1583 Needed)

A commercial sublease gives you actual tenancy rights to a physical office space. You sign a lease agreement with the property owner or primary tenant. Your name appears on the lease as a legal tenant.

Pros: Proves genuine physical business presence, passes bank KYB verification, not flagged as CMRA, utility bills can be established in your business name.

Cons: Higher monthly cost, fewer locations available, may require security deposit.

For international founders who need to open US bank accounts or pass platform verification (Amazon, Stripe, PayPal), a commercial sublease typically provides stronger compliance documentation than a CMRA address with Form 1583.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Form 1583 processing take?

Once notarized and submitted to your CMRA, most providers activate your mailbox within 1 to 3 business days. The CMRA must verify the form and register it with USPS.

Can I fill out Form 1583 online?

You can download the form (PS Form 1583) from the USPS website and fill it out digitally, but it still requires notarization with physical or RON-verified signatures. You cannot complete the entire process online without a notary.

Does Form 1583 expire?

The form itself does not have an expiration date. However, your CMRA may require periodic renewal as part of their service terms. If you change CMRAs, you need a new Form 1583 for the new agent.

Can a business entity file Form 1583?

Yes. An authorized representative of the business (officer, manager, or registered agent) can sign Form 1583 on behalf of the business entity. The representative's personal IDs are still required for notarization.

Is Form 1583 required for a PO Box?

No. USPS PO Boxes are rented directly from the Postal Service, not through a third-party agent. Form 1583 only applies to CMRAs.

What happens if my CMRA does not have Form 1583 on file?

USPS can refuse to deliver mail to the CMRA on your behalf. The CMRA could also face regulatory action for accepting mail without proper authorization forms.