To use a virtual mailbox service, you must authorize your service provider to receive and open your mail on your behalf. You do this with an official form called a USPS 1583 Form.
This form allows us to open and scan the contents of your mail, and lets you check your mail from anywhere.
- The form authorizes us to accept mail in your name and gives us the authority to open your mail. However, be aware: It does not change your address with the USPS or tell us where to forward your mail.
- The postal service requires all Commercial Mail Receiving Agencies (CMRA), like Earth Class Mail, to collect a notarized USPS 1583 Form from every customer who opens up an account with us. The form ensures that you, and only authorized parties, can access mail addressed to you.
- Due to postal service regulations, you need to have the form notarized before sending it to us. The notary's seal proves that you are the person who is authorizing Earth Class Mail to receive mail in your name or your company's name.
Your personal information will never be public, used on your account, or even impact your mailing services. The information requested on this form is strictly used to complete the USPS Form 1583.
Why do I need to complete a USPS 1583?
The government wants to make sure that no one signs up for a virtual mailbox as a method to steal someone else’s mail -- which is why they need an official form to be notarized and only allow certified companies to handle other people’s mail.
The form ensures that you, and only authorized parties, can access mail that is addressed to you.
Regulations require the form notarized before sending it to us. The notary's seal proves that you are the person who is authorizing Earth Class Mail to receive mail in your name or your company's name.
How to complete a USPS 1583
The two-part process to complete and notarize the form can be done through the Earth Class Mail website after you sign up for an account.
The form is just two pages long and requires you to have selected your new address, the company you want to use to receive your mail, and, if you are a business, list company officers.
On the new address area of the form, you will list one of our PO box addresses or a real street address, depending on the virtual address you select.
What forms of ID can be used for a USPS 1583?
Once you’re ready to have your form notarized, you’ll need to have two forms of identification ready.
The first form has to be one of the following:
- A state ID card, such as a driver license
- Passport (from the United States or other country) or Passport card
- U.S. Permanent record card
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Armed Forces card
- U.S. university ID card
- Uniformed services ID card
- Tribal identification card
The second form of identification can be an official document such as a utility bill, voter registration card, or vehicle registration.
These include:
- Utility bill
- Voter registration card
- Vehicle registration card
- Vehicle insurance policy
- Home insurance policy
- Lease
- Mortgage
- Deed of Trust
- Form I-94, Arrival and departure record
How to submit a USPS 1583
Once you have your identification ready, you can start the onboarding process at Earth Class Mail. You’ll be guided in a step-by-step process that will give you clear instructions for completing the form. You don’t have to worry about finding a notary because we offer free online notary services.
The notary will walk through the form with you to ensure you understand what you are signing and then ask for two forms of identification. If you use the online notary, Earth Class Mail pays for the notarization services.
Please note that your personal information will never be public, used on your account, or even impact your mailing services. The information requested on this form is strictly used to complete the USPS form 1583.
What do I do after I complete a USPS 1583?
Once you’ve submitted your form online, you can begin using your private virtual mail box.
That doesn't mean you’ll automatically start collecting mail or packages at your new virtual address, however.
The 1583 Form authorizes us to accept mail in your name. It does not change your address with the USPS or tell us where to forward your mail.
Instead, you’ll need to inform your senders of your new address and change your address with any important senders, such as banks and business registries. You can also fill out a change of address form with the postal service, which will automatically forward your mail to your new virtual address.
Once you do this, you’ll receive notifications when your mail arrives and you won’t have to sift through your junk mail again.
Still have questions? Our customer service department offers live help with virtual mailbox set-up, too.
Customer Support
Email: support@earthclassmail.com
Call: (210) 802-5211, press "1" for support