Can I get a PO Box Online? Application Steps and Better Options
Published January 2, 2025
A PO Box is one of the most secure, straightforward ways to receive mail outside your home. USPS lets you start the process online, selecting a box size and paying online, but you'll still need to complete an in-person visit to verify your identity within 30 days of applying, or your application is canceled. Here's exactly how the process works, step by step, plus when a PO Box might not be enough for your packages.
A PO Box is regarded as one of the most secure options for receiving and managing mail. By using a PO Box, you can have your mail delivered to a location outside your home, ensuring
A PO Box is an ideal solution for those who prefer not to receive mail at their home or business address. A PO Box is especially useful for separating personal mail from business correspondence, such as for home-based businesses, no matter which city you're in.
You can rent a PO Box for various durations; three, six, or twelve months, and enjoy the convenience of a dedicated mailing address.
Why do people look into PO Box alternatives in the first place? Package theft and missed deliveries are common enough in dense urban housing that many people start their PO Box research already looking for something that also solves the package problem, not just the mail problem. See F201 for the sourced statistic on package theft rates in dense urban housing. An estimated 104 million packages were stolen nationwide in the past year [source: SafeWise 2025 U.S. Package Theft Report], which is why so many PO Box searches are really package-security searches.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a PO Box Online
Wondering "Can I get a PO Box online?" Yes, with USPS, you can create an online account for convenient PO Box management. Once registered, simply navigate to the "Manage PO Box" section to access features such as opening a new box, renewing your subscription online with a credit or debit card, reviewing your payment history, and more.
Here's how to apply for a PO Box online through the United States Postal Service (USPS):
Log in or create an account on USPS.com.
Search for available PO Boxes by entering your ZIP code or address.
Choose the size of the PO Box and the rental term that suits your needs (3, 6, or 12 months).
Complete the online application form (this generates PS Form 1093 automatically), accept the Terms & Conditions, and enter your billing and payment information.
Review and submit your application to reserve your PO Box.
Print the confirmation form, you'll need it at the Post Office.
Within 30 days, take the printed form to the designated Post Office location.
Present two acceptable forms of U.S. identification to verify your identity (one must include a photograph; the other must confirm your physical address).
Once your identity is confirmed, you'll receive your box number and the keys (or lock combination) to your new PO Box.
A few details worth knowing before you start:
You must be at least 18 to apply online; anyone younger has to apply in person at a Post Office counter.
The 30-day window is firm; if you don't complete the in-person verification within that time, USPS cancels the reservation and refunds the payment. Don't reserve a box weeks before you actually plan to make the trip.
No-fee (Group E) boxes, available to some customers in areas without home mail delivery, can't be reserved online and require an in-person application instead.
After receiving your keys, you can start using your new address and arrange to have your mail forwarded if needed.
What a PO Box Can (and Can't) Do for Packages
Typically, smaller mailboxes for rent are more affordable, and USPS provides a variety of PO Box sizes and pricing options to suit different needs.
Box Sizes and Details (as referenced by quadient.com): Extra Small: Starting rate $4.67/month; Small: $6.00/month; Medium: $9.00/month; Large: $13.33/month; Extra Large: $23.67/month.
USPS offers five standard PO Box sizes, from a small box that fits about 10–15 letters up to a large box built for multiple packages; though not every Post Office carries every size, and exact pricing depends on your ZIP code's fee group. For current, location-specific pricing (verified against USPS Notice 123), see our full PO Box cost breakdowns for New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco rather than a single generic table here.
If your PO Box reaches capacity and can't hold additional mail, you'll need to upgrade to a larger box or rent an additional one to manage the overflow. And regardless of size, a standard PO Box typically only accepts USPS-delivered mail; FedEx, UPS, and Amazon packages generally aren't accepted unless your specific branch offers USPS's Street Addressing service.
When a PO Box Isn't Enough: Package Receiving as an Alternative
If you're finding that a PO Box doesn't solve your package problem, specifically because it doesn't accept non-USPS carriers, or because oversized parcels don't fit, a package receiving service like Delivery Amigo is designed for that gap: by accepting deliveries from any carrier and holding them at a nearby partner location until you're ready to collect them. See our comparison of package holding services vs. a PO Box, or find a package receiving location near you for current pricing and locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a PO Box entirely online?
Yes, you can search, reserve, and pay for a PO Box entirely online through USPS.com. The one step that still requires an in-person visit is picking up your keys or lock combination, which requires two forms of ID.
How long do I have to complete my PO Box application after reserving it online?
30 days. After you submit the online reservation and payment, you have 30 days to bring your printed confirmation form and two forms of acceptable U.S. identification to the Post Office where your box is located. If you miss that window, USPS cancels the reservation and refunds your payment.
What do I need to bring to the Post Office to activate a PO Box I reserved online?
Your printed confirmation/application form, plus two forms of acceptable U.S. identification; one must include a photograph, and the other must confirm your current physical address. A PO Box itself cannot be used as the address on either form.