How do you get a PO box? Pick a box size and a Post Office location, reserve it online at usps.com/poboxes or fill out PS Form 1093 in person, then bring two valid IDs — one with a photo, one that proves your address — to that Post Office to pick up your keys. The whole thing takes minutes online, and you usually walk out with keys the same day you verify your ID at the counter.
Key Takeaways
- You can start entirely online. USPS lets you search, choose a box size, pick a rental period, and pay at usps.com/poboxes — you only need to visit the Post Office to show ID and collect keys.
- Two forms of ID are required when you pick up your keys: one photo ID (driver’s license, passport, state ID) and one non-photo ID that proves your physical address (lease, vehicle registration, insurance policy).
- PO boxes come in five sizes, from a Size 1 that holds 10–15 letters up to a Size 5 big enough for multiple packages. Not every Post Office stocks every size.
- You rent in 3-, 6-, or 12-month terms. The 3-month option requires automatic renewal, and a lapsed payment can cost you the box entirely.
- “Near me” is a real search step, not a guess — box availability and price both vary by individual Post Office, so you compare specific locations before you reserve.
How Do You Get a PO Box?
Getting a PO box is a four-step process, and the Postal Service is built so you can do most of it from your couch. According to the official USPS PO Box page, the flow is: search for a location and box size, complete the application and pay, print your paperwork, then verify your ID in person to receive your keys.
- Search and select. At usps.com/poboxes, enter a ZIP code or address to see nearby Post Offices, the box sizes each one has available, and the price for a 3-, 6-, or 12-month term.
- Complete the application. Fill out the online form (this is the digital version of PS Form 1093), accept the terms, and pay your first term with a credit or debit card to reserve the box.
- Print your confirmation. Print the completed application to bring with you — it speeds up the counter step.
- Verify in person and get your keys. Take your printed form and two acceptable IDs to that Post Office within 30 days. Once staff verify you, they hand over two keys (or a lock combination) and your box is active.
You can also skip the online step and do the whole thing at the counter: complete pages 3 and 4 of PS Form 1093, bring it to the Post Office, pay, and USPS assigns your box on the spot. Either path ends the same way — ID verification in person, because that is where the keys change hands. Once your box is live, it helps to know how to send mail to a PO box so senders address it correctly.
What PO Box Sizes Are Available?
USPS offers five PO box sizes, though availability depends on the individual Post Office — a busy urban branch may be sold out of the small sizes while a suburban one has every tier open. The Postal Service recommends starting with a Size 2 if you receive more than 15 mailpieces a week, and a Size 3, 4, or 5 if you regularly get magazines, catalogs, or packages.
| Size | Dimensions | Roughly holds |
|---|---|---|
| Size 1 (XS) | 3″ × 5.5″ | 10–15 letters or up to two rolled magazines |
| Size 2 (S) | 5″ × 5.5″ | 15+ letters, several rolled magazines, or one small flat-rate box |
| Size 3 (M) | 11″ × 5.5″ | Two small flat-rate boxes plus stacked mail |
| Size 4 (L) | 11″ × 11″ | Small and medium flat-rate boxes, with room for letters |
| Size 5 (XL) | 22.5″ × 12″ | Multiple packages |
If you consistently receive more mail than even a Size 5 can hold, USPS will steer you toward Business Mail Pickup, also called Caller Service, rather than a standard box. And because a PO box only accepts what a carrier can fit through the slot, oversized parcels are held at the counter for pickup — useful context if you also need to understand how to ship to a PO box from the sender’s side.
How Much Does a PO Box Cost?
There is no single national price. PO box fees are set per location and per size, and USPS quotes your exact rate only after you enter a ZIP code at usps.com/poboxes and choose a 3-, 6-, or 12-month term. As a rule, smaller boxes and longer terms cost less per month, and boxes at high-demand metro Post Offices run higher than rural ones. For a full breakdown of the pricing tiers and how the rental terms compare, see our dedicated guide to USPS PO box cost.
One cost rule is worth flagging up front: renewal payments are due the last day of the month your term ends. Miss it, and USPS blocks access to your mail; after 10 days of nonpayment it removes the mail, closes the box, and releases the address to the next customer. Because closed boxes are re-rented immediately, a late payment can permanently cost you your PO box address.
How Do I Find a PO Box Near Me?
“PO box near me” is an actual step in the process, not a shortcut, because availability and price are location-specific. Start at usps.com/poboxes and enter your ZIP code or street address. The tool returns every Post Office within your chosen radius, shows which box sizes are open at each one, and lists the fee for each term — so you can compare two nearby branches side by side before committing.
A few things to weigh when picking the location, not just the closest dot on the map:
- Lobby hours. Many PO box locations offer 24/7 lobby access to the boxes, but hours vary by branch — check before you assume you can grab mail at midnight.
- Size availability. The nearest office may only have the size you don’t want. A branch one mile farther might have the tier that fits your mail volume.
- Package handling. If you expect parcels, confirm the location holds oversized items at the counter and check its retail hours for pickups.
If no nearby Post Office has the box you want, or you need a street address rather than a “PO Box” line for deliveries, a private mailbox service is the usual alternative — it accepts carriers a PO box can’t, a trade-off we cover below.
What ID Do I Need to Open a PO Box?
This is the step people most often get wrong, so it’s worth being exact. Whether you apply online or at the counter, USPS requires two valid forms of ID when you pick up your keys, and they must be current. One has to carry a photograph; the other has to be traceable to you and prove your physical address. You present both in person at the Post Office where the box lives.
- Photo ID (pick one): valid U.S. driver’s license or state non-driver’s ID card; U.S. armed forces, government, university, or recognized corporate employee ID card; passport, passport card, alien registration card, or certificate of naturalization; NEXUS or Matrícula Consular card.
- Non-photo ID that proves your address (pick one): current lease, mortgage, or deed of trust; voter or vehicle registration card; home or vehicle insurance policy.
- Not accepted: Social Security cards, credit cards, and birth certificates are explicitly not valid forms of ID for a PO box.
The address on your ID and application must stay current for as long as you hold the box; if you move, you’re responsible for updating it, and USPS can terminate service over stale information. Keeping your USPS change of address in sync with your box paperwork avoids that headache.
Can I Get a PO Box Entirely Online?
Almost. You can search, reserve, choose your term, and pay online at usps.com/poboxes without setting foot in a Post Office — and you can manage renewals online too, including automatic payments. The one step that cannot be done remotely is ID verification: because the keys are physical and the Postal Service checks your identity against them, you finish the process at the counter. Online registration also isn’t available for Caller Service or qualifying no-fee boxes.
If you hit a snag with the online application — a location showing no availability, or a payment that won’t process — the fastest fix is usually to call the branch directly or reach USPS customer service rather than restarting the form.
PO Box vs Street Address: Which Do You Need?
A PO box is a locked compartment inside a Post Office. It’s excellent for mail security and privacy, and it’s the cheapest way to get an address that isn’t your home. Its limitation is carriers: a traditional PO box receives USPS mail, and while USPS will hold packages from other carriers under its Street Addressing option at participating locations, a plain PO Box line does not accept FedEx or UPS the way a street address does. If you specifically need those, read can UPS deliver to a PO box and does FedEx deliver to PO boxes before you decide.
Choose a PO box if you mainly want secure USPS mail, low cost, and privacy from your home address. Choose a private mailbox or street-address service if you need to receive from every carrier, want package acceptance without counter pickups, or want a real street-style address for business use. ParcelPath issues discounted USPS and UPS shipping labels either way, and our USPS resource hub covers the rest of the mail-management picture, from holds to forwarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a PO box?
If your chosen Post Office has your box size available, you can reserve online in minutes and activate the box the same day you bring your two IDs to the counter for verification. The only delay is the in-person ID step, which you must complete within 30 days of reserving online.
Can I rent a PO box near me without going in person?
You can do everything except the final key pickup online, including finding a PO box near you, reserving it, and paying. USPS still requires you to appear once at the Post Office with two valid IDs to verify your identity before it releases the keys.
What size PO box should I get?
USPS suggests a Size 1 or 2 for routine letter mail, and a Size 3, 4, or 5 if you receive magazines, catalogs, or packages. Size 2 is a good default if you get more than 15 mailpieces a week. Remember that not every Post Office stocks every size.
Can two people share one PO box?
Yes. A PO box can list more than one adult, and each named user provides their own two forms of ID at pickup. USPS also allows box service for minors unless a parent or guardian objects in writing to the postmaster.
What happens if I don’t renew my PO box on time?
Renewal is due the last day of your term’s final month. If you miss it, USPS blocks access to your mail immediately; after 10 days of nonpayment it removes the mail, closes the box, and makes the address available to a new customer. A late renewal can permanently cost you the box, so set up automatic payments if you’re forgetful.
Do I need a PO box or a private mailbox?
Get a PO box if you want secure, low-cost USPS mail and privacy from your home address. Choose a private mailbox if you need to accept deliveries from every carrier or want a street-style address for a business. A PO Box line alone does not receive FedEx and UPS the way a street address does.
Sources
- USPS — PO Boxes: rent, renew, and manage
- USPS — Find and reserve a PO Box near you
- USPS — PS Form 1093, Application for Post Office Box Service (PDF)
- USPS — Post Office Locator
- USPS Domestic Mail Manual 508.4 — Post Office Box Service (keys, terms, and ID)
Part of our USPS resource hub. Related: USPS PO Box Cost · How to Send Mail to a PO Box · Mailbox Services.
