Short answer: Here is how to get a PO Box in one visit. Search for a Post Office location online or in person, pick an available size and term, then pay. You still have to visit the counter once to show ID and collect your keys.
Most people finish the whole process, start to finish, in under 20 minutes.
You can start the application online at usps.com or walk in cold to any Post Office that rents boxes. Either path ends the same way. You show two forms of identification, sign the paperwork, and walk out with a key or a lock combination.
The only real decision is size, term, and location. Everything else is a short form and a short wait.
Step by step: how to get a PO Box
Start online at the official USPS PO Box page. Search a ZIP code or a Post Office name, then compare the sizes and prices shown for that specific location.
Pick a size and a rental term. Terms run 3, 6, or 12 months, and a longer term lowers your monthly cost. Our guide to PO Box prices by size breaks down what each option actually costs.
Enter your information and pay online. Print the confirmation form, since the counter clerk will ask for it.
Visit that Post Office within 30 days with your printed form and two forms of ID. The clerk verifies your identity and hands you the keys or combination on the spot.
Applying online versus walking in
Applying online saves you a step at the counter, since the size, term, and payment are already done. You still make one visit to prove your identity in person.
Applying in person skips the online form entirely. You fill out PS Form 1093 at the counter, show your ID immediately, and pay right there.
Both paths end at the same place. USPS will not hand over keys to anyone, online or in person, until it has verified two forms of ID.
What ID you actually need
You need two current forms of identification. One must have a photo, and the other must be traceable to your physical address.
| ID type | Accepted examples |
|---|---|
| Photo ID (need 1) | Driver’s license, state ID card, passport, military or government ID, university or employer ID |
| Address proof, no photo needed (need 1) | Current lease or mortgage, voter registration card, vehicle registration, home or vehicle insurance policy |
A Social Security card, a credit card, and a birth certificate are not accepted at all. Bring both documents current and in your name, since expired ID gets rejected at the counter.
Getting a PO Box for a business
Businesses use the same PS Form 1093, with one addition. You also bring documentation that proves the business exists, such as a certificate of incorporation or similar registration paperwork.
You then list every employee who will pick up mail at the box. Only the people named on the form can collect mail at the counter, so update the form if staff changes.
A business box works the same day to day as a personal one. Sizing still matters, so weigh how much mail and how many packages your business actually receives before you pick one.
Adding other people to a personal box
A personal PO Box is not automatically shared. If you want a spouse, roommate, or family member to pick up mail too, list them as an authorized user on the application.
Anyone not listed cannot collect your mail at the counter, even with their own ID. Add names when you apply, or visit the counter later to update the box.
How fast you get your keys
Most applicants walk out with keys the same visit. The paperwork and ID check usually take just a few minutes once you reach the counter.
If you applied online, USPS gives you up to 30 days to complete the in person ID step. Wait past that window and the application can be canceled, so do not put off the counter visit.
Before you apply, pick the right size and location
Knowing how to get a PO Box is only half the job. Picking the right size and location first saves you a second trip later.
A box that is too small means constant trips for overflow mail. A box that is too large wastes money every term. See our full breakdown of PO Box sizes to match a size to your actual mail volume.
Location matters just as much. Fee groups differ by Post Office, so a location a short drive further away can cost noticeably less for the identical size. Check pricing for a few nearby options before you commit.
Once your box is active, you will also want to send mail from it correctly. Our postage price calculator helps you plan the cost of outgoing letters and packages.
After you get your box
Turn on free USPS Informed Delivery so you get a daily preview of what is arriving. It also flags packages waiting for pickup, which saves a wasted trip to an empty box.
If you need UPS, FedEx, or Amazon to deliver there, ask about Street Addressing at the counter. It pairs the Post Office street address with your box number so private carriers can deliver to you.
Finally, make sure anyone mailing you something knows the correct format. Share our guide to writing a PO Box address so nothing gets delayed in sorting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a PO Box the fastest way?
Apply online first so the size, term, and payment are already set. Then visit the counter with two forms of ID to collect your keys the same day.
Can I get a PO Box without a driver’s license?
Yes. Any accepted photo ID works, including a passport, a state issued ID card, or a military or government ID. You still need a second document, one without a photo, that proves your address.
How long does it take to get a PO Box?
The application itself takes a few minutes online or at the counter. Most people receive their keys the same visit once their two forms of ID are verified.
Do I need an appointment to get a PO Box?
No. You can apply online anytime or walk into a Post Office that rents boxes without scheduling ahead. Busy locations may involve a short wait in line.
Can I get a PO Box for my business?
Yes. Use PS Form 1093, bring proof the business exists, and list every employee who is authorized to pick up mail at the counter.
What if I lose my key after I get the box?
Report it to your Post Office right away. They can issue a replacement key or combination, usually for a small fee.
The bottom line
How to get a PO Box comes down to three things: pick a size, prove your identity, and pay. It is quick once you know what to bring. Start the application online, pick a size and term that fit your mail, then visit the counter with two forms of ID.
Most people leave with their keys the same day. From there, our guide to what a PO Box is and how it works covers everything you can do with it once it is yours.