
You can change your address to a PO box for mail delivery, but you'll need to meet some basic requirements. The United States Postal Service (USPS) allows individuals to change their address to a PO box, but you'll need to provide proof of identity and residency.
The USPS has specific rules for changing your address to a PO box, including a 30-day notice period for changes to your mailing address. This allows mail carriers to update their records and ensure your mail is redirected correctly.
To change your address to a PO box, you'll need to visit a local post office in person, as you can't make changes online or over the phone.
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Why Update Your Address?
Updating your address to a PO Box can be a great idea for several reasons. You can reserve a PO Box to ensure documents are kept confidential.
Using a PO Box also gives you the flexibility to collect mail when it's convenient for you. This can be a big advantage if you have a busy schedule or live in a remote area.

Having a safe and secure way to receive mail is another perk of using a PO Box. This can be especially important if you're a business owner or receive sensitive documents.
Here are some benefits of updating your address to a PO Box:
- To ensure documents are kept confidential
- To enable a business owner to collect mail when it is convenient to do so
- To have a safe and secure way of receiving mail
Keep in mind that once you make the change, all of your mail will be sent to your newly rented PO Box within one week.
Changing Your Address
You can change your address to a PO box, but it requires a few steps. Submit a change-of-address request with USPS online at USPS.com or in person at a post office using PS Form 3575.
To update your address, enter your PO Box number in the street address field of the new address section. This will ensure that your mail is forwarded to the correct location.
It may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for mail to start being forwarded. You can verify that your mail is being forwarded using the USPS website.
Mail will be forwarded to your PO Box for up to a year after your request is accepted.
Identifying the Need

You might be wondering why you need to identify whether an address is a PO Box or not. This is especially important if you plan to use a courier service like UPS or FedEx to ship your products.
If you deliver to a PO Box, it can cause problems for your shipping guarantees and delivery. This is because PO Boxes can be a challenge for couriers to locate.
Some customers may choose to have a PO Box for various reasons. This could be due to security concerns, convenience, or simply because they don't have a physical street address.
You'll often see both a street address and a PO Box listed on a customer's contact information. For example, Mr. Smith's contact information might include 567 Honeycomb Rd and PO Box 1234.
Here are a few scenarios where identifying the need to change to a PO Box might arise:
Maintaining Your Address
You can keep your physical address private by using a post office box. This reduces the risk of identity theft.
Using a post office box allows you to keep your personal life separate from your business life, which can be beneficial if you have a home-based business.
Identifying the Need
You might wonder why it's essential to identify whether an address is a PO Box or not. It's actually quite simple: some courier services like UPS and FedEx won't deliver to PO Boxes, which can cause problems for your shipping guarantees and delivery.
If you're using a courier service, it's crucial to know if the address is a PO Box or a street address. This will help you avoid any potential issues with delivery.
Some customers may choose to have a PO Box, so it's not a guarantee that an address will be a street address. In fact, a PO Box may be listed alongside a street address, as seen in the example of Mr. Smith's address: 567 Honeycomb Rd, PO Box 1234.
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Maintaining Your
Maintaining your address can be a delicate matter. You want to keep your physical address private to reduce the risk of identity theft.
Using a Post Office box is a great way to maintain your privacy. It allows you to keep your address hidden from the public eye.
Having a private address can also give you peace of mind when dealing with sensitive documents. You can store them safely without worrying about them being intercepted by others.
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USPS Mail and PO Boxes

You can deliver mail to a preferred address by writing it on the first line and the PO Box on the second line, indicating it's a backup address. This way, if mail can't reach your street address, it will be forwarded to the PO Box.
The postal service will only list a PO Box if it's necessary, such as when mail needs to be signed for or can't reach you. In this case, the recipient will receive a notification that it's waiting at the PO Box.
If you have a mailing list with both PO Box and street addresses, many businesses can verify and accept both for automated direct mail campaigns. This is possible with platforms like Postalytics, which allow you to reach any street address or PO Box.
Delivering USPS Mail
When you want to make sure your mail is delivered to a specific address, simply write the desired address on the first line and the secondary or alternate address on the second line. This way, if you're not home when the mail arrives, it can be forwarded to the alternate address.
If you're not there to sign for the mail, the postal service will forward it to a USPS PO Box, and you'll receive a notification that it's there.
The postal service lists your PO Box address only in case you're not home, and they need to sign for the mail or can't reach you otherwise.
You can even indicate that the secondary address is a backup, making it clear that it's an alternative to your primary address.
USPS has different ways to change your mailing address, including online, at the post office, and by mail.
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Automated Direct Mail
Automated direct mail allows you to reach any street address or PO Box with automated direct mail. Many businesses use a mailing platform like Postalytics to make this possible.
With automated direct mail, you can verify and accept both PO Box and street addresses by the USPS. This means you can target a wider audience with your campaign.
Businesses that use a mailing platform like Postalytics can easily manage mailing lists with both PO Box and street addresses. This feature makes it possible to reach a larger number of customers.
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USPS Change of Address

To change your address to a PO Box, you'll need to submit a change-of-address request with USPS. You can do this online at USPS.com or in person at a post office using PS Form 3575.
Once you've submitted your request, it may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for mail to start being forwarded to your PO Box. You can verify that your mail is being forwarded using the USPS website.
Here are the ways you can change your address with USPS:
- Change of address online
- Change of address at the post office
It's worth noting that mail will be forwarded to your PO Box for up to a year after your request is accepted.
Why Update Your Address?
Updating your address can be a game-changer for your business. You can reserve a PO Box to ensure documents are kept confidential.
Having a PO Box can also give you the flexibility to collect mail when it's convenient for you. This can be a huge time-saver, especially if you have a busy schedule.
A PO Box provides a safe and secure way of receiving mail, which is a major plus. You can rest assured that your important documents will be delivered to you without any issues.
Once you make the change permanent, all your mail will be sent to your new PO Box within one week. This means you can start using your new address right away.
You can use a PO Box as your mailing address, but it's essential to note that it can't be used as your physical address.
Next Steps
Now that you've decided to use a PO Box address, it's time to update your mailing address.
You should permanently change your mailing address to your new PO Box address through the USPS's National Change of Address Program.
This can be done online at USPS.com or in person at a post office using PS Form 3575.
Enter your PO Post Office Box number in the street address field in the new address section, and mail will be forwarded within 2-3 weeks.
You can track the progress of your new address request via USPS.com.
If you're concerned about missing mail, you can indicate that your PO Box is a backup address, and the postal service will forward mail to it if you're not at your street address.
This way, you'll receive a notification that mail is waiting for you at your PO Box.
USPS Change of Address:
To change your address with USPS, you can submit a change-of-address request online at USPS.com or in person at a post office using PS Form 3575. This will forward your mail to your new PO Box for up to a year.
Mail will be forwarded to your PO Box for up to a year after your request is accepted. You can verify that your mail is being forwarded using the USPS website.
You can enter your PO Box number in the street address field of the new address section on the change-of-address form. It may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for mail to start being forwarded.
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Here are the ways to change your address with USPS:
- Change of address online
- Change of address at the post office
Changing your street address to a PO Box address can ensure that documents are kept confidential, allow you to collect mail at a convenient time, and provide a safe and secure way to receive mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer all my mail to a PO Box?
Yes, you can forward mail from your existing delivery address to your P.O. box through online, phone, or in-person services at your local post office. To get started, visit your local post office or explore the options on their website.
Sources
- https://www.hunker.com/13418899/how-do-i-change-my-address-to-a-po-box/
- https://www.postalytics.com/blog/po-box-vs-street-address/
- https://www.postscanmail.com/blog/how-change-mailing-address.html
- https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc157
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/problemsolved/2024/03/05/how-to-change-mailing-address/72612765007/
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