Virtual Mailbox & USPS Form 1583 – Downtown Works

What is the purpose of USPS Form 1583?

Any person or company who rents a PO Box directly through the post office or a mailing address from an approved third party business location (called a CMRA) must fill this out. It is kept on file by the USPS United States Postal Service so they can keep track of the identity of those who use an address in the event a bad actor uses the address for an illegal purpose.

Allowed identifications for verification

For this particular form, USPS needs two pieces of identification. And believe it or not, credit cards, social security, and birth certificates will not be accepted. And one of the pieces of identification must have a photo and address of you on it. Below is a list of what they will accept from you which is also written on the form itself. Please note that you must include one item from Section 1 AND one item from Section 2. Section 2 identification is used to verify your home address. The document must list the address on the 1583 form.

IMPORTANT NOTE - when entering in the home address, it must be a physical home address and may not be the location address of your mailbox. ID and address verification will need to be completed prior to approval and for compliance. This is not a Downtown Works policy, this is a USPS regulation. The quickest way for verification and address verification is to use a Passport for Section 1 and a U.S. State/Territory/Tribal Driver's or Non Driver's ID Card for your second ID.

Section 1 Valid Identification:

U.S. State/Territory/Tribal Driver's or Non Driver's ID Card*
Uniformed Service ID
U.S. Access Card
U.S. University ID Card
Passport (national or foreign)
Matrícula Consular
- The Matrícula Consular de Alta Seguridad is an identification card issued by the Government of Mexico through its consulate offices to Mexican nationals residing outside of Mexico.
NEXUS Card
Certificate of Naturalization
U.S. Permanent Resident Card

Section 2 Valid Identification:

The acceptable types of address verification are listed below, any other items are not accepted.

U.S. State/Territory/Tribal Driver's or Non Driver's ID Card*
Current Lease
Mortgage or Deed of Trust
Home or Vehicle Insurance Policy
Vehicle Registration Card
Voter Card

* Although the driver's/non driver's ID is listed as an option for both the Applicant's photo ID and address ID, it may be used for only one of the IDs (either photo ID or address ID), not for both.

No other identification(s) will be accepted. No exceptions.

Step by Step Instructions on How to Fill Out the Form 1583

We use PilotoMail as our automated compliance solution to fill out your 1583 form. More information is available here.

Is form 1583 the same as a mail forwarding form?

It is definitely not a forwarding document and will not forward any mail on your behalf. If you want the USPS to forward your mail you must fill out a separate change of address with them. They now offer an online option as well located here: Official USPS® Change of Address The form 1583 is strictly an authorization for the CMRA to receive mail on your behalf at the chosen address.

Step by Step Instructions on How to Fill Out the Form 1583

Is form 1583 the same as a mail forwarding form?

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