A form required by the United States Postal Service that authorizes a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA), such as a virtual mailbox or mail forwarding service, to receive and handle mail on behalf of an individual or business.
What is USPS 1583?
USPS Form 1583 is an official document that grants permission to a CMRA to receive, process, and forward mail for an individual or business. This form is mandatory for anyone using a virtual office, mail forwarding, or commercial mailbox service in the United States, including non-U.S. residents who need a U.S. mailing address for their business.
The form requires specific information such as the applicant’s full name, address, and two forms of valid identification, one of which must contain a photo. Acceptable identification may include a passport, driver’s license, or government-issued ID, along with a secondary document like a utility bill or lease agreement. For business use, the form also requests the company’s name, type of business, and the names of any individuals authorized to receive mail on its behalf.
USPS Form 1583 must be signed in the presence of a notary public or the CMRA representative to verify the applicant’s identity. Once submitted and approved, it enables the CMRA to legally handle and forward the applicant’s mail. This process is especially important for international entrepreneurs, e-commerce sellers, and remote businesses that want to operate with a U.S. mailing address without maintaining a physical office in the country.
