Apply for a PO Box
How do I get a PO Box, and what do I need to apply?
Updated August 2026
This is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the United States Postal Service or any other official entity. Always verify details directly with USPS.com or your local post office.
Quick Answer
You can apply for a PO Box in person at the post office where you want it, or reserve one online at usps.com and finish ID verification in person within 30 days: USPS requires in-person photo ID verification for every PO Box, with no fully online option. Pricing and availability vary by location and box size.
What a PO Box costs
PO Box sizes and monthly or annual rates vary by post office. Pricing depends on box size and how competitive demand is at that specific location, so there's no single nationwide price. Larger, busier post offices often have waiting lists for popular sizes.
Box sizes
USPS uses five standard box size tiers, from Extra Small (a handful of letters) up to Extra Large (bulk business mail). The table below shows typical interior dimensions for each tier. Actual availability and monthly pricing are set locally, so confirm both with the specific post office before applying.
| Size | Dimensions | Typical capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Small | 3" x 5.5" | A few letters |
| Small | 5" x 5.5" | Mail + magazines |
| Medium | 5.5" x 11" | Mail + 1–2 small packages |
| Large | 11" x 11" | Mail + multiple packages |
| Extra Large | 12" x 22.5" | Business volume |
All boxes are 15 inches deep. Dimensions shown are width x height (USPS national size tiers); availability and pricing are set by each post office.
Privacy and access
Beyond convenience, a PO Box adds privacy and security: your mail stays locked inside the post office rather than sitting in a curbside box, and only you or people you authorize can open it. Most locations also allow 24/7 access to the box itself, separate from the retail counter's hours, so you can check your mail on your own schedule.
Rental terms and payment
You rent a PO Box in 3-, 6-, or 12-month terms. A 3-month term requires automatic renewal with no opt-out; 6- and 12-month terms let you opt out of auto-renewal. Payment is due by the 10th of the month it's owed, and USPS closes the box on the 11th if payment hasn't posted (worth knowing if you're not set up on autopay).
What you'll need to apply
What you'll need to bring:
- Photo ID (driver's license, passport, or military ID)
- Proof of current address if it's not on your photo ID (utility bill or lease)
- In-person visit required: verification can't be completed fully online
You can apply in person at the post office where you want the box, or reserve it online at usps.com and bring the printed application and your ID to that post office within 30 days to finish verification and get your keys or combination; USPS requires in-person ID verification for every PO Box, there's no fully online option.
If your size isn't available
Not every post office offers PO Boxes, and availability changes as boxes open up or waiting lists clear. If the size you want isn't available, you can choose a different size, try another nearby post office, or join the waiting list. USPS will contact you when a box opens up, and you'll have two days to claim it before it moves to the next person in line. Check the location listings on this site for the post office nearest you, then contact that location directly to ask about current box availability and pricing before making the trip. If you need somewhere to receive mail right away while you wait, or there's no PO Box available near you at all, this site's guide to General Delivery is a no-commitment alternative that doesn't require renting a box.