USPS Form 1583 Explained (2026): Complete Guide for Virtual Office Users

If you are setting up a virtual business address in the United States, USPS Form 1583 is the piece of paperwork that makes it legal. USPS Form 1583, officially the “Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent,” is the form that authorizes a mail-receiving company to accept and handle mail on your behalf. Without it, no Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) can release your mail — and no reputable virtual office provider will activate your address.

This guide explains what the form is, who has to file it, and how to complete and notarize it correctly, step by step. It also shows where the form fits when you set up a real US address through a provider. For the wider picture on addresses, mail handling and plans, see our virtual office guide.

What is USPS Form 1583?

The current version is the April 2023 revision, still active in 2026. You can read the official document on the Postal Service site: the USPS PS Form 1583 (PDF). A separate form, PS Form 1583-A, is what the CMRA itself files with the local postmaster — that one is the provider’s responsibility, not yours.

Who needs to file USPS Form 1583?

Anyone who uses a third-party address to receive US mail needs this form. That covers a lot of people who may not realize it. If someone other than you or your own staff physically receives your mail, the Postal Service treats that receiver as your agent, and the authorization has to be on file.

You need to complete USPS Form 1583 if you use any of the following:

• A virtual office or virtual business address for your company registration, website or invoices.
• A private mailbox (PMB) at a mail center or coworking operator.
• A mail-forwarding or scanning service that receives post and digitizes it for you.
• A remote or traveling setup where a CMRA holds mail until you collect or redirect it.

Both individuals and businesses can apply. When a company applies, an authorized officer or representative signs, and the business is listed alongside the people entitled to receive its mail. A registered agent address is a different concept; if you are unsure how the two relate, read our business address explainer.

USPS Form 1583 requirements: notary and two forms of ID

Two requirements trip people up more than any other: the form must be notarized, and you must present two forms of identification. Get these right and the rest is straightforward.

Notarization. A notary public must witness your signature. This can happen in person, or through Remote Online Notarization (RON) where your state authorizes it — which is how most virtual office customers complete Form 1583 notary steps today, by video call in a few minutes.

Two forms of ID. One must be a government-issued photo ID. The second must confirm the address you list on the form. The address on that second document has to match the home or business address you write on the form.

How to fill out and notarize Form 1583

The process has five steps. Most virtual office providers walk you through them and connect you to an online notary, so the whole thing usually takes one short session.

1. Fill in your details. Enter your name and home address, then the CMRA address that will receive your mail. List every name authorized to receive mail at that address.
2. Add a government-issued photo ID. A driver’s license, state ID or passport all work.
3. Add address proof. Attach a document that shows your listed address, such as a lease, insurance policy or vehicle registration.
4. Notarize the form. Sign in front of a notary in person, or by Remote Online Notarization where your state allows it.
5. Submit it to your CMRA. Return the notarized form and ID copies to your provider, who keeps them on file for USPS.

Common USPS Form 1583 mistakes to avoid

Most rejections come from small, avoidable errors:

• Address mismatch. The address on your second ID must match the form exactly.
• Using an unaccepted ID. A Social Security card or credit card will not clear.
• Skipping the notary. An unsigned or un-notarized form cannot be processed.
• Leaving names off. Anyone who receives mail at the address — including a spouse or business partner — must be listed.
• Wrong business details. For companies, the entity name and the signing officer both need to appear.

How Form 1583 fits into setting up a virtual office

In practice, the form is one link in a short chain: you choose an address, complete USPS Form 1583, get it notarized, and your provider activates mail handling. Picking the address first makes the paperwork simpler, because the provider supplies the exact CMRA details you enter on the form.

Real US virtual office examples on Wezoo

Each of these locations gives you a real street address in a business district — the kind you list on USPS Form 1583 and use for company registration and mail.

1. WeWork 500 7th Ave — New York

What to expect: A Midtown Manhattan address steps from Times Square and Penn Station, useful for businesses that want a recognizable New York location without a full-time lease.

Operator: WeWork · Address: 205 W 37th St, New York

👉 Request WeWork 500 7th Ave on Wezoo

2. WeWork 222 South Riverside Plaza — Chicago

What to expect: A riverside tower in the West Loop, walking distance from Union Station — a central Chicago address for mail, registration and the occasional in-person day.

Operator: WeWork · Address: 222 S Riverside Plaza, Chicago

👉 Request WeWork 222 South Riverside Plaza on Wezoo

3. Regus 111 West Jackson — Chicago

What to expect: A Loop address near the Chicago Board of Trade, well suited to finance and professional-services firms that want a downtown presence on their paperwork.

Operator: Regus · Address: 111 W. Jackson, Chicago

👉 Request Regus 111 West Jackson on Wezoo

Once your address is live and Form 1583 is on file, the practical work is choosing a plan and mail options. Our step-by-step walkthrough on how to set up a virtual office covers what comes next.

USPS Form 1583 FAQ

What is USPS Form 1583 used for?

USPS Form 1583 authorizes a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency to receive mail on your behalf. It is required whenever a third party handles your US mail, such as a virtual office or mailbox provider.

Do I have to get USPS Form 1583 notarized?

Yes. A notary public must witness your signature. This can be done in person or, where your state allows it, through Remote Online Notarization by video call.

What two forms of ID does Form 1583 require?

One government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport) and one document proving the address you list on the form (such as a lease, insurance policy or vehicle registration).

Which IDs are not accepted for Form 1583?

Social Security cards, credit cards and birth certificates are not accepted, because they do not reliably prove a current address.

Can a business file USPS Form 1583?

Yes. An authorized officer or representative signs on the company’s behalf, and the business is listed alongside the individuals entitled to receive its mail.

How long does it take to complete Form 1583?

When you use an online notary, the whole process usually takes a single short session, often under 15 minutes once your IDs are ready.