totse.com | Opening PO Post Office Box

IcMn667 · #1 2007-05-01, 20:41

I'm 18+ and trying to open up a PO box. I went to a neighboring town, and I was told I have to fill out a form and bring it to my local post office so they can verify my home address. Will any mail be sent to my house to verify my address? I don't want my parents to know that I am getting a box because the privacy of it is very important. Any tips on opening a PO box as anonymously as possible?

Vega · #2 2007-05-01, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by IcMn667 View Post

I'm 18+ and trying to open up a PO box. I went to a neighboring town, and I was told I have to fill out a form and bring it to my local post office so they can verify my home address. Will any mail be sent to my house to verify my address? I don't want my parents to know that I am getting a box because the privacy of it is very important. Any tips on opening a PO box as anonymously as possible?

Don't you just need a driver's license?

thatcoolkid · #3 2007-05-01, 22:36

Hmm... don't know any info that would help you out.

I believe HeaT opened up a box succesfully. Maybe he knows...

IcMn667 · #4 2007-05-01, 22:45

Well I went to my local post office and they said all you need is a valid ID. I have no idea what the fuck the other guy was talking about, but whatever.

MyFriendDave · #5 2007-05-01, 23:34

sometimes bigger post offices want a utility bill or they'll offer to send a verification letter. smaller post offices just want your ID

Headshotx7 · #6 2007-05-02, 00:53

let us know if you got it, im interested to see how easy it is/worth going through the trouble.

gunjah · #7 2007-05-02, 00:59

generally thats only if your trying to get a discounted rate (due to lack of service). I dont know this first hand but I read it on the website awhile ago. Do you have to be 18?

deadhero · #8 2007-05-02, 01:36

Usually all they want to see is some sort of utility bill with your name and a reasonably local address on it. This can easily be faked with a computer, though you may have to dumpster dive for a form model . . . DL's or ID's aren't usually accepted as 'proof of residency' but if they will then hey fuck it . . . my favorite part about a PO box is the mail for other people that ends up there. Some choice finds.

thatcoolkid · #9 2007-05-02, 01:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunjah View Post

Do you have to be 18?

No, not in the U.S. You can apply as a minor.

dDIzzIEe · #10 2007-05-06, 02:31

Here are some instructions on opening a PO Box as a minor (in the US).

Also, here’s a simple way to get the free equivalent of a PO Box (worldwide):

Quote:

Free PO Boxes
BY: DIzzIE [antikopyright 2006]

Alright, I fibbed. This really isn’t about obtaining free PO boxes, rather it is a free (and legal) method to procure an equivalent of a PO box known as Poste Restante (or General Delivery in the US).

PR is a free service offered worldwide, whereby a post office holds specially labeled mail for the recipient for a certain period of time (usually a few weeks). The recipient must come to the post office, present a form of photo identification (cf. the requirements for a PO box: typically two forms of ID and proof of residency), and retrieve the letter or parcel.

To address PR mail, simply write ‘Poste Restante’ (or ‘General Delivery’ in the US) in place of the street address, thusly:

Full Name of Recipient
Poste Restante
City, State/Province Zip/Postal Code
Country

To find out the specific PR policies at your location, simply contact your local post office and ask them for the details (storage time length, pickup location, etc). If your local post office states that they don’t support PR, then ask for the contact information for the main post office in your area.

And there you have it, a simple, free alternative to paying for PO Boxes

Hope this helps!