
Having a valid post office address proof is crucial for various purposes, such as opening a bank account or applying for a passport.
In India, the post office has been issuing address proof documents for over a century, with the first address proof document being introduced in 1905.
The post office address proof is a reliable and widely accepted document for identification purposes.
Types of Address Proof
You can use various documents to prove your address, and the Post Office accepts most of them. Here are some examples of valid proof of address documents.
An electricity or gas bill, phone bill, bank or credit card statement, letter from your local council, letter from a financial institution, insurance document, and tax or other official government document are all accepted by the Post Office. These documents must be recent, so only those dated within the last 90 days will be accepted.
If you don't have a recent bill, you can use other documents such as a letter from your employer, university, or landlord. You can also use a lease agreement or recent insurance policy taken out in your name, or recent bank statements, credit card statements, or financial correspondence with your name and address.
Here are some specific examples of valid address proof documents:
- Electricity or gas bill
- Phone bill
- Bank or credit card statement
- Letter from local council
- Letter from financial institution
- Insurance document
- Tax or other official government document
- Letter from employer
- University letter
- Lease agreement
- Recent insurance policy
- Recent bank statements
- Recent credit card statements
- Financial correspondence
Driver's License or State ID

A driver's license or state ID can serve as proof of address. You can use your driver's license or state ID card to verify your identity at the Post Office.
If you're a resident of the US, you can use a driver's license from any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or other US territories like Guam, US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.
You can also use a non-driver's license state-issued ID card.
If you're having trouble uploading your state-issued ID, you can refer to the troubleshooting guide for help.
Here are some acceptable forms of state-issued ID:
Note that you can't use a passport or military ID as proof of address at the Post Office.
Box 9
You'll need a document verifying your home street address for Box 9, which can be an international address.
You can use a document that shows your name and home street address as it appears on the attached document.
For Box 9g, check which type of document you're using.
It's easy to get started, just click here to get your virtual mailbox up and running in minutes.
Here's an interesting read: Canada Home Address Example
Valid Proof of Address
Valid proof of address can be a bit tricky to figure out, but it's actually quite straightforward once you know the rules.
To get started, you'll need to provide a recent document that shows your full name, current address, and the company or organisation's name and logo.
The Post Office accepts a variety of documents as proof of address, including electricity or gas bills, phone bills, bank or credit card statements, and letters from your local council or financial institution.
These documents must be dated within the last 90 days, so make sure you have something recent.
If you don't have a recent bill, you can ask your employer to write a letter confirming your address or use a letter from your university if you're a student.
You can also use a letter from your landlord, a copy of your tenancy agreement, or your provisional driving licence to prove your address.
Here are some examples of accepted documents:
- Electricity or gas bill
- Phone bill
- Bank or credit card statement
- Letter from your local council
- Letter from a financial institution
- Insurance document
- Tax or other official government document
Note that you can use a combination of these documents if you don't have one single document that meets the requirements.
Completing USPS Form 1583
Completing USPS Form 1583 can be a straightforward process if you have the required information. You'll need to provide your name, address, and other identifying details.
The form requires a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport. This is to verify your identity and ensure you're who you claim to be.
You'll also need to provide proof of your address, which can be a utility bill or lease agreement. Make sure it's a document that shows your current address and is no more than 30 days old.
A different take: Canada Post Change of Address Form
Complete at Participating Office Before Deadline
To complete the process at a participating Post Office before your deadline, you'll need to follow these steps: Wait in line at the Post Office. The retail associate will scan your barcode and review your ID. You can find a participating Post Office by visiting the provided link.
The process is relatively straightforward: the retail associate will scan your barcode and review your ID. After the retail associate has reviewed your documents, you're done at the Post Office. The retail clerk will not receive your results.
Why Complete USPS Form 1583
Completing a USPS Form 1583 is required to grant permission to a virtual address provider to accept mail on your behalf. This form is a crucial step in setting up a virtual mailbox.
You can get a copy of the form at your local post office branch or download it from the USPS website. Alternatively, some virtual mailbox providers can even fill it out for you.
Stable, a virtual mailbox provider, uses an in-house identity verification process, eliminating the need for notarization on the form. This makes the process smoother and less complicated.
To complete the form, you'll typically need to provide photo identification and a proof of address, which can be from inside the U.S. or international.
For your interest: Us Post Office Hold Mail Form
Understanding Proof of Address
To get a Post Office account or set up an international transfer, you'll need to provide proof of address. This can be done with various documents, but they must be recent, dated within the last 90 days.
The Post Office accepts a range of documents as proof of address, including electricity or gas bills, phone bills, bank or credit card statements, and letters from your local council or financial institution. These documents should show your full name, current address, and the company's name and logo.
You can also use official government letters, such as property tax notices and voter registration cards, as proof of address. Lease agreements, recent insurance policies, and bank statements are also accepted.
If you're struggling to get hold of utility bills, an affidavit of residence may be accepted. This is a notarized legal statement from your landlord, employer, or family member confirming your address, but you'll need additional supporting documents like ID cards.
Here are the accepted documents as proof of address:
- An electricity or gas bill
- A phone bill
- A bank or credit card statement
- A letter from your local council
- A letter from a financial institution
- An insurance document
- A tax or other official government document
These documents must be recent, dated within the last 90 days, and show your full name, current address, and the company's name and logo.
Unacceptable Documents
If you're trying to prove your address at the post office, it's essential to know what documents won't be accepted.
Your ID, such as an identity card, passport, or social security card, is usually not accepted as proof of address. Institutions don't allow one document to serve as both proof of identity and address.
Outdated documents, like those that have exceeded their validity period, are also not accepted. This can be frustrating if you're trying to prove your address on short notice.
Handwritten bills and letters are not accepted because they lack the authority of an official source. This is a common mistake people make when trying to prove their address.
Photocopies of documents are also not accepted by most institutions, as they need to verify the authenticity of the original document.
Invoices of purchases are not typically accepted as proof of address or identity verification. This is because they lack the necessary authority to verify your address.
Here are some common documents that are not accepted as proof of address:
- Identity cards
- Passports
- Social security cards
- Outdated documents
- Handwritten bills and letters
- Photocopies
- Invoices of purchases
It's always a good idea to check with your local post office in advance to see what documents they accept as proof of address.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get proof of address from Post Office?
To get proof of address from the Post Office, fill out a change-of-address card and use the confirmation you receive as proof. Alternatively, have a family member provide proof of address documents with their name on it, along with proof of your relationship.
How do I get proof of mailing from the Post Office?
To get proof of mailing from the Post Office, complete PS Form 3817 at the time of mailing and pay the applicable extra service fee. This will provide a postmarked mailing receipt as evidence that your item was mailed.
Sources
- https://www.login.gov/help/verify-your-identity/verify-your-identity-in-person/
- https://wise.com/gb/blog/post-office-proof-of-address
- https://cdle.colorado.gov/unemployment/file-a-claim/how-to-verify-your-identity-in-person-at-a-usps-location
- https://statrys.com/blog/what-is-a-proof-of-address
- https://www.usestable.com/blog/usps-form-1583
Featured Images: pexels.com