Form 1583 is required if you want to receive mail through a P.O. Box in the United States for you or your company.
In this article, we’re going to answer the most common questions we receive about Form 1583. This will include specific insights on how to receive mail for foreign-owned US LLCs and whether a P.O. Box can even be used when it comes to opening bank accounts
This article is part of our free series on US LLCs, including the steps for opening a business bank account for an LLC, which you can access using this link.
Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.
Table of Contents
- Form 1583
- How Do I Complete a Form 1583?
- Does Completing Form 1583 Help a US LLC With Banking?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ready to Explore Your Options?
Form 1583
Form 1583 is a required document from the United States Postal Service (USPS) that must be completed by any person or company looking to receive mail via a P.O. Box in the US. Additionally, Form 1583 needs to be notarized, which will require an accepted form of government-issued identification to be provided.
Your completed Form 1583 is submitted to the Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) that you have selected for Post Office Box services and will also be kept on file by the United States Postal Service.
In most cases, P.O. Box services have automated online portals that allow prospective customers to complete USPS Form 1583. Likewise, the process for notarizing Form 1583 can be completed online.
However, it’s important to note that many US Post Office Box providers have restrictions on the residencies that they accept. Likewise, many online notaries will not notarize documents for foreign individuals as that would require them to verify foreign forms of identification.
So, foreign non-residents looking to access a US P.O. Box service should only approach options that clearly accept foreigners. Additionally, foreign non-residents may need to use a notary at an embassy, consulate, or another acceptable institution.
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How Do I Complete a Form 1583?
The first step in completing USPS Form 1583 is obtaining the form and filling out the relevant information. Form 1583 is available on the USPS website and from your P.O. Box service provider.
Once you have completed Form 1583, you will need to get the form notarized. To do this, you can use an online or in-person notary. Of course, if you are using an integrated online postal service, they will likely have a notary built into their platform for you to use.
After you have completed Form 1583, it will be sent to the location managing your P.O. Box for review and acceptance. After acceptance, your form is kept on record with the United States Postal Service.
Does Completing Form 1583 Help a US LLC With Banking?
Whether completing Form 1583 helps a foreign-owned US LLC with banking depends on the bank you’re applying to. With this in mind, we’ve shared comments on several ways that a foreign-owned US LLC can receive mail in the US and how they may impact banking options.
Postal Service
If you choose to obtain a US P.O. Box through a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency, you will have limited banking options available. However, it’s important to note that there are banking options available for foreign-owned US LLCs with a US P.O. Box.
Of course, these options are difficult to find and tend to have higher account opening requirements. If you would like assistance navigating these options, you can use GlobalBanks USA (referenced below).
Virtual Mailbox
Whether a bank accepts a virtual mailbox service ultimately depends on the address. In other words, does it appear to be a virtual mailbox address? If so, then you will be limited to the same banks that are willing to accept a P.O. Box address for a foreign US LLC.
Physical Mailing Address
If your US LLC has a real physical address in the US, you will be able to meet the address requirements with all US banks. Of course, you will still need to navigate the other US banking requirements, including deposits, in-person opening (at most banks), and passing initial compliance and due diligence checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are three of the most common questions that we receive from people looking for information on filing form 1583. If you have further questions you would like answered, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly.
Why Do I Need to Complete USPS 1583?
You need to complete USPS 1583 because the United States Postal Service requires it of any individual or business that intends to use a P.O. Box address in the United States. The stated reason for collecting this information is to maintain a record in case P.O. Boxes are used for illegal purposes in the future.
Where to Get USPS Form 1583?
You can get USPS Form 1583 directly from the USPS website. However, most Commercial Mail Receiving Agencies (CMRAs) will provide Form 1583 to their clients for completion. This is common because Form 1583 is a requirement to receive mail on behalf of an individual or business via a P.O. Box in the USA.
Does USPS Form 1583 Need to Be Notarized?
Yes, USPS Form 1583 does need to be notarized. However, if you are using an online service to acquire your US P.O. Box, the service provider will likely directly integrate with an online notary service. Of course, if you are a foreign non-resident, you may find that online notary services will not notarize your form. In this case, you will need to use a notary at an embassy, consulate, or other accepted institution.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
If you would like assistance navigating your banking options in the USA, we can help.
You can access GlobalBanks USA, our dedicated US account opening service, in just a few clicks.
GlobalBanks USA is a one-on-one service with your own account manager. When you join, you tap into our team’s expertise, including suggestions on which banks are best for you and direct banker introductions.
Of course, if you have any questions, please contact us directly.