Q&A for How to Address to a PO Box

Usually, you choose either the PO box number or the street address, depending on where the person receives their mail. However, if you want to include both, put the recipient's name on the first line, their street address on the second line, and the PO Box number on the third line. Finish with the city, state, and zip code on the fourth line.

As long as you stick to the correct dimensions for sending a letter (check your local postal service’s requirements), you can use paper wrapping, origami folded paper, homemade envelopes or even folding the letter itself into an envelope (an origami trick). However, this might vary depending on where you live, so always check the local rules and regulations regarding sending letters. And whatever you use, make sure it is strong enough to stay intact during its journey through sorting machines and mail handling!

Begin by writing the name of the person or company you’re sending the envelope or package to. Then, add the PO box number on the following line. On the next lines, add the city, state or province and zip code (or postcode). The article above explains in detail, with images to guide you, how to set this out correctly.

Get hold of the PO box address first. If you’re sending a parcel, ask the recipient if it’s possible to send to a PO box, as often it isn’t due to the size of parcels but this isn’t always the case. When you’ve got these things worked out, simply address the envelope or package to the person/company, then add the PO box address on the next line, and add the city, state or province, zip code (or postcode) to the remaining lines. Once addressed, it’s ready to send as usual.

You can still send a letter to a PO box number in another country, just ensure the address is accurate. However, if you want to send a parcel, check with the recipient first that it’s possible to send this to a PO box, as many PO box addresses cannot accept parcels.

In this case, you’ll need to contact the recipient by email or phone to ask for the PO box address. If this is not possible, and it’s a company, then search the company’s website. If it’s for an individual and you cannot contact them, see if friends or family members might know it, or contact the relevant post office in their area for advice. Remember that the post office might not be able to tell you, for reasons of protecting the recipient's privacy.

In this case, it is necessary to ask your concierge or caretaker for advice about how they sort the mail and whether or not they need this number to be included on the mailing address. Since you mention it's "nothing to do" with your address, then it's likely the concierge maintains their own separate sorting list for when the mail arrives for everyone in your apartment complex but you're expected to remember which box number to retrieve your own mail from. It's definitely best to ask your concierge and you're understanding of what happens should be sorted out in no time!

Address it to your grandson "in care of" (c/o) your son. List your grandson on the first line, then "c/o" your son on the second line.

USPS is reluctant to give out that information. It might take a court order to access it.

Yes.

First line: name, if known. Second line: PO box number. Third line: city, state and zip code.

You could write "Boxholder."

Don't use the address of the post office. Use the PO Box number, the city name, the state name and the zip code. Even just using the box number and zip code would work.

Yes. In early 2023 the cost of mailing a postcard to any domestic address (including PO boxes) was 40 cents.

Yes, it's very likely that mail addressed that way would be delivered (without delay).

Yes. That shouldn't be a problem.

Yes, you can drop a letter addressed to a PO box into any collection box.

Yes.

No. A 5-digit zip code is enough.

Yes.

Mail will be delivered even if it is addressed only to a PO box and a specific zip code.

Mail will be delivered to a PO box (or any other address, for that matter) even if it does not name the intended recipient.

Yes. If the mailer pays for this service, a notice will be left in the PO box directing the boxholder to apply at the service counter to sign for the mail.

Yes, you should include the room, suite or apartment number. However, even without that number, the mail might be successfully delivered if the letter carrier or a local employee knows where the addressee lives.

It's hard to say without seeing the mail. It will probably be delivered.

Any name (or no name) will be okay. If you write the address correctly, it will be delivered. (The only exception is if the post office has a current forwarding order on file for the addressee's name.)

It will work. Actually, one Forever stamp would have been enough.

Yes, that will work fine.

Once you rent a PO box, you can pick up your mail whenever it's convenient. The postal staff will not care if you leave your mail uncollected for long periods of time.

Yes, including a return address is always a good idea.