USPS Form 1583: Step-by-Step Guide to Filling It Out in 2026
Quick answer: USPS Form 1583 is the federal authorization form that lets a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) accept mail on your behalf. To fill it out, you need two forms of government-issued ID (one with a photo), your full legal name and current home address, the CMRA’s address and your suite number, plus notarization by a US-licensed notary public. The full process takes about 30 minutes. Remote video notarization works from any country and completes in under five minutes.
What USPS Form 1583 actually is
USPS Form 1583 (officially titled “Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent”) is the federal document that authorizes a CMRA to receive postal mail addressed to you. It is required under 39 CFR § 111 for every customer of every CMRA in the United States. There is no way around it. No legitimate provider will activate your mailbox without a signed, notarized Form 1583 on file.
The form lists three things: who you are (you, the recipient), where you actually live (your home address), and who is authorized to receive mail at your CMRA suite (you, family members, your business). The notarization step confirms your identity to the US Postal Service.
The form has been around in some form since 1956 and was updated in 2020 to streamline the notarization process and accept remote online notarization.
What you need to complete Form 1583
Gather these before you start. Having everything ready turns the process into a 15 to 30 minute task instead of a multi-day back-and-forth.
Two forms of identification
USPS requires two forms of ID. At least one must be a government-issued photo ID. Acceptable options:
Primary photo ID (pick one): US passport, US passport card, state driver’s license, state ID card, military ID, US permanent resident card, foreign passport (for non-US persons).
Secondary ID (pick one): Vehicle registration card, voter registration card, current lease or mortgage, home utility bill (gas, electric, water) dated within 60 days, vehicle insurance card, social security card, current credit card statement.
The IDs must be valid and not expired. Photocopies need to be clear and show all corners of the document.
Your current residential address
The address where you actually live. Not the CMRA suite. Not your old US address from years ago. The current residential address of the person filing the form. If you live overseas, this is your address abroad. The form has a field specifically for international addresses.
The CMRA’s information
Your provider’s name, street address, suite number and contact details. Reputable providers (including GetMyUSMail.com) pre-fill this section for you and email the partially completed form for your review.
Notary public access
Two paths.
Remote video notarization. A US-licensed notary appears on a five-minute video call, verifies your ID on screen, watches you sign the form digitally and applies an electronic notary seal. Approved by USPS since 2020. Works from any country. Most CMRAs schedule the notary call directly with their preferred service (Notarize, BlueNotary, OnlineNotary.net are common). Cost is usually included in your mailbox plan or runs $20 to $40.
In-person notarization. Find a notary public at a UPS Store, FedEx Office, AAA branch, bank, courthouse or any local notary public listed on Google Maps. Bring printed Form 1583, both IDs and a pen. Cost ranges from free (at some banks for customers) to $15 (most retail locations) to $25 (some independent notaries).
Step-by-step: filling out Form 1583 in 7 steps
The form has eight sections. Here is what goes in each, in order.
Step 1: Box 1 — Date the form
Write the date you complete the form, in MM/DD/YYYY format. Notarization must happen on the same date or within a few days. If the date is more than 30 days old by the time you submit, USPS may reject it.
Step 2: Box 2 — Your name (recipient)
Enter your full legal name exactly as it appears on your primary photo ID. Include middle name or middle initial if it appears on the ID. No nicknames.
Step 3: Boxes 3 to 6 — Your address details
Box 3: Your business name if you are filing for a business address. Leave blank if this is for personal mail only.
Box 4: Your residential street address. Where you actually live.
Box 5: City, state and ZIP code of your residential address. Use the appropriate country format for international addresses.
Box 6: Your home telephone number.
Step 4: Box 7 — CMRA street address (your provider fills this)
The full street address of your CMRA. For GetMyUSMail.com customers, this is 1215 Main St, Unit 115, Tewksbury MA 01876, plus your assigned PMB suite number. The provider sets this on the form when they email it.
Step 5: Box 8 — Two forms of ID
Box 8a: Type and ID number of your primary photo ID. Example: “Driver’s License, Florida #ABC123456”.
Box 8b: Type and ID number of your secondary ID. Example: “Vehicle Registration, FL #XYZ789012”.
You will also attach photocopies of both IDs to the form. The notary will verify both during notarization.
Step 6: Boxes 9 to 14 — Names authorized to receive mail
List everyone authorized to receive mail at your CMRA suite. Most personal mailboxes list just one name (yours). Business mailboxes list the business name and authorized officers. Family mailboxes may list a spouse, kids, parents.
For each authorized recipient, you provide name and ID type or two forms of ID for each additional person beyond yourself. This is one place where some applicants get tripped up: every additional name needs ID verification, not just the primary applicant.
Step 7: Box 15 — Sign and notarize
Sign Box 15 in front of the notary. The notary then completes their section (notarial certificate) with their seal, signature, commission number and date.
If you are using remote video notarization, the notary signs and seals electronically. The signed PDF returns to you and your provider via secure download link or email.
Common mistakes that cause USPS to reject Form 1583
The eight most common rejections we see from new applicants.
1. Photocopy quality. Blurry or partial ID photocopies. The full document must be visible with all corners showing.
2. Expired ID. A driver’s license that expired six months ago. Renew first, then file the form.
3. Name mismatch. Form lists “Bob Smith” but ID says “Robert James Smith”. Use the full legal name from the ID.
4. Wrong CMRA suite number. Box 7 shows a suite that does not belong to you. Verify with your provider before signing.
5. Old residential address. Listing a US address you no longer live at. List your current residence, even if it is overseas.
6. Missing secondary ID. Only photo ID attached. Two IDs are required.
7. Notary stamp errors. Wrong date, illegible seal, expired notary commission. The notary should know to avoid these, but verify the seal looks complete before submitting.
8. Unsigned signature line. Sometimes people forget to actually sign Box 15. The notary catches this in person but it can slip through.
Remote video notarization step-by-step
Remote video notarization is approved by USPS for Form 1583 since 2020 and is the fastest option for anyone living overseas or far from a notary.
Step A. Your CMRA emails you the pre-filled Form 1583 plus a link to schedule the remote notary appointment. Most providers partner with Notarize.com, BlueNotary or a similar platform.
Step B. You book a 15-minute slot. Most platforms offer same-day availability.
Step C. Have your two IDs ready (physical, not photos). At the appointment, you join a video call on your phone or laptop.
Step D. The notary verifies your identity by examining both IDs on camera and asking you brief verification questions (knowledge-based authentication).
Step E. You sign Form 1583 electronically on the platform. The notary applies their digital seal.
Step F. The signed, notarized Form 1583 returns to you and your CMRA via secure download link or email within minutes.
Total time from booking to completed form: typically 20 to 30 minutes.
In-person notarization step-by-step
Useful if you are in the US, prefer face-to-face, or your CMRA prefers in-person Forms 1583.
Step 1. Print Form 1583 from your CMRA’s email. Pre-fill all sections except Box 15 (signature) and the notary section.
Step 2. Make clear photocopies of both IDs. Bring originals plus photocopies.
Step 3. Find a notary. Google Maps shows local notaries. UPS Stores, FedEx Office, AAA branches, banks (free for many customers), and independent mobile notaries all work.
Step 4. Visit the notary with the unsigned form, both IDs, photocopies, and the notary fee. Sign Box 15 in front of the notary.
Step 5. The notary completes their section. You take the notarized form and either mail it to your CMRA or scan and email it.
How CMRA providers process the form
Once your notarized form reaches the provider, they verify three things before activating your suite.
One: Your suite number on the form matches the one assigned to you. They reject any mismatch.
Two: The notary’s seal, signature and commission information are valid and not expired.
Three: Your photo IDs in the photocopies match the names on the form.
If all three check out, the provider activates your suite. You receive an email confirmation. Mail addressed to your new CMRA address starts arriving and gets processed normally.
Verification typically takes 1 to 4 business hours after the signed form arrives. Most providers (including GetMyUSMail.com) activate same business day for forms received before 2pm Eastern.
How long Form 1583 stays valid
Form 1583 does not expire. Once filed, it remains on record with the CMRA for the life of your account. You only file a new form when:
You change your residential address (file a new Form 1583 to update your residence on record).
You add or remove an authorized recipient (especially common when family members or business roles change).
Your CMRA moves locations (provider files this on your behalf).
You switch to a different CMRA provider (new provider, new form).
Tip: Keep a digital copy of your signed Form 1583 in a secure folder for your records.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fill out Form 1583 from outside the United States?
Yes. Remote video notarization is approved by USPS and works from any country. You log into a US-licensed notary platform on your phone or laptop, present your IDs on camera, sign electronically and the notary applies a digital seal. The completed form is sent to your CMRA within minutes.
Can a non-US citizen fill out Form 1583?
Yes. Non-US persons use a valid foreign passport as the primary photo ID and a second form of ID (utility bill, foreign government-issued ID, etc.). Some providers may ask for additional documentation depending on your country of residence.
Does my notary need to be in the same state as the CMRA?
No. The notary needs to be US-licensed in any state. Remote online notarization is recognized federally and your CMRA accepts a notary commissioned in any of the states that allow remote notarization (most do as of 2026).
Can I notarize Form 1583 at a UPS Store or FedEx Office?
Yes. Most UPS Stores and FedEx Office locations have notaries on staff. The fee is typically $15. Bring printed form, both IDs and a pen.
How much does Form 1583 notarization cost?
Remote video notarization runs $20 to $40 per session, often included in your CMRA’s onboarding fee. In-person notarization at UPS or FedEx Office is $15. Bank notaries are sometimes free for existing customers. Independent mobile notaries who come to your home or office charge $25 to $75 plus a travel fee.
What if I need to add a family member to my mailbox after the form is filed?
You file an amended Form 1583 listing the additional authorized recipient. The new recipient also presents two forms of ID. Process is the same as the original.
Is the information on Form 1583 shared with anyone?
The form is retained by your CMRA for USPS audit purposes. USPS inspectors review CMRA Forms 1583 during periodic audits. The form is not publicly accessible. Your CMRA cannot share the form with third parties without your consent, except in response to a legal subpoena.
What happens if I refuse to file Form 1583?
No legitimate CMRA can activate your mailbox without a signed, notarized Form 1583 on file. USPS regulations make the form a hard requirement, not optional. If a provider tells you Form 1583 is not needed, they are operating outside USPS rules and you should not use them.
Free Form 1583 template and resources
The official Form 1583 is available at USPS.gov. Your CMRA pre-fills the provider sections for you, so you receive a partially completed form ready for your details.
If you are starting a mailbox with GetMyUSMail.com, our team emails you the pre-filled form with your suite number, our facility address and a direct link to schedule remote video notarization. The process takes under 30 minutes start to finish.
The bottom line
USPS Form 1583 looks intimidating but is a 30-minute task once you have your IDs ready and a notary booked. Remote video notarization removes the in-person hassle for expats and travelers. In-person notarization at a UPS Store or bank works equally well for US residents. Whichever path you pick, the form authorizes your CMRA to legally receive your mail and unlocks the full benefits of a private mailbox (all carriers accepted, scanning, forwarding, business address use, registered agent).
Ready to start your CMRA mailbox? Pick a plan and we email your pre-filled Form 1583 within minutes. Call 978-851-0199 with questions and a real person picks up.
