Please note, that the USPS 1583 Form does not change your address with the USPS or tells the CMRA where to forward your mail. If that is your purpose, then you want to be looking at filling out a Change Of Address form with the USPS.

Why Do You Need To Complete A 1583 Form

This is a requirement set in place, so that no one can use your mailing address in an illegal way. Filling out a 1583 form, gives the mail receiving agent your permission to open & handle your mail. If you do not fill out this form, then the CMRA is obligated under USPS regulations, to return your mail back to the sender. Finally, filling out a USPS 1583 Form, ensures that there is a responsible party linked to the mailbox.

USPS 1583 Form Notarization

Before you hand in your USPS 1583 Form to your CMRA, you need to have the form notarized. Depending on the CMRA you are working with, some agencies may offer notary services & therefore you can have the document notarized there. If the CMRA you are working with, does not have a notary service available that you can use, you can have the 1583 Form notarized by a notary of your choice. There are also online notaries available such as NotaryCam as well.

During notarization, you will need to be able to show two forms of ID.

Accepted forms of ID:

Valid driver’s license, passport from the USA, US permanent record card, certificate of naturalization, University student ID, passport, lease/mortgage or deed of trust, voter or vehicle registration card, home or vehicle insurance policy, utility bill, form I-94 with a arrival & departure.

Non accepted forms of ID:

Social security cards, credit cards, corporate ID’s, birth certificates.

You don’t have to go and spend money on a notary if your bank provides notary services. Banks typically provide notary services free of charge, as long as you have a bank account with them.

If you are not a US citizen, you can have your document notarized through an online notary such as NotaryCam, or through your international embassy & financial institution. If you are travelling abroad or have dual citizenship, it may be easier to get an online notary to approve you. Just as long as you have a reliable Internet connection and a couple forms of ID, you will be all set with your notarization.

How To Fill Out The USPS 1583 Form

The USPS 1583 Form has three main sections that need to be filled out:

1. The CMRA information
2. The mailbox and owner information
3. The business information

The CMRA Information

This part is filled out by the CMRA itself, so you do not need to be concerned about filling out this section.

Mailbox Owner & Business Information

This is the information that you need to fill out:

• Box 2: Write your name in full, or the name of the party whose mail the CMRA will be processing
• Box 3: Write you your mailbox address, including the mailbox number you chose once you signed up with the CMRA
• Box 5: Add your signature, to authorize the CMRA receive restricted delivery mail
• Box 6,7: Write out the name of the person who is applying for the mailbox. Usually, this name is the same as the person who is receiving mail at this mailbox (same name you wrote in Box 2.) In this section, please make sure to write out the phone number where you can be reached as well as your current mailing address (not the CMRA’s address.)
• Box 8: Write the two ID’s you will be using as proof of identity and the ID numbers. One has to be a photo ID.
• Box 16: Sign the form in front of the notary

The following sections are only for Optional Business Information, such as when you are linking a business to your mailbox.

• Boxes 10a – 10e: Add your business contact information. This includes your mailing address or registered agent address or your home address (in the event that your business is a home based business.) Note that this information is only seen by the CMRA & USPS and is not available to anyone else.
• Box 11: List the industry or type of services your business provides. For example: retail, manufacturing etc.
• Box 12: Add the name of the employees that are associated with your business who will receive mail there.

How To Send Your USPS 1583 Form To The CMRA

Once you have filled out & notarized your USPS 1583 form, you will then need to send it to the CMRA so that you can use their mailbox service.

There are two primary ways to send your 1583 form:

1. By mail
2. In person

If you choose to send your USPS 1583 form by mail, you will need to send the original copy (not a copy of it,) along with your photocopied ID’s to your CMRA.

If you choose to deliver your USPS 1583 form in person, you will need to visit the location of the CMRA, or their partners. Make sure you bring the 1583 form with you along with two forms of ID.

Depending on the CMRA you are working with, you might have the option of also sending in the USPS 1583 Form by email and fax. Please make sure you check out the requirements to have your 1583 Form sent into the CMRA in that way.

Virtual Mailbox Alternative

If you are considering using an independent postal service for your mail, consider using a virtual mailbox. Virtual mailboxes allow you to see your mail online, through any computer or mobile device.

All mail pieces you receive, get uploaded into your account. Simply log into your account, using your email & password. You will see pictures of your mail.

If you need to have the envelopes in your virtual mailbox scanned (to see the documents within your envelopes,) you can request a mail scan. If you need to have the mail item shipped to you, you can select that as well as an option. Don’t want to keep all your mail but need some shredded? With a click of a button, you can have those mail pieces securely shredded.

We have a Freemium plan below, which allows you to test the service for free, for 2 months.