In summary: Form 1583 authorizes a US commercial mail-receiving agency to receive mail for the named applicant.
What the form does
USPS Form 1583, Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent, is the document that legally authorizes a commercial mail-receiving agency -- which is what most virtual mailbox providers are, from USPS's perspective -- to receive mail on your behalf at their location.
The verification requirement
Completing the form requires notarization and two forms of identification, one of which must be a government-issued photo ID; this is a USPS identity-verification requirement, not an optional provider add-on, and applies whether you are an individual or a business.
What it does not do
Form 1583 authorizes mail receipt through the agent -- it does not establish legal residence, prove a business's operating address for licensing purposes, or substitute for registered-agent service. Treat it as a mail-authorization step, separate from any other legal or compliance requirement tied to the same address.
- Identification and notarization procedures apply.
- The form does not establish residence or business acceptance.
EXPLORE THE DATABASE
Related guides and tools
Structured pages with visible caveats, source dates and direct verification prompts.
USPS FORM 1583 EXPLAINED GUIDE QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
No. Use it to frame the decision, then verify decisive facts directly.