Q&A for How to Address to a PO Box

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  • Question
    Can you put a PO box and street address on an envelope?
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    Expert Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Is it a must to put the letter in a real envelope?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    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!
  • Question
    How do you address an envelope to a PO box?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How do I mail to a PO box?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    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.
  • Question
    What if it is out of the country?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    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.
  • Question
    This is nice, but I don't know the PO box. How do I find it?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    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.
  • Question
    I understand the correct process for the PO address but in an apartment development when you are given a box number for your mail and it has nothing to do with your address, do you include that number?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    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!
  • Question
    To send a card to my grandson through my son's PO box, whose name goes first?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    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.
  • Question
    How to find who owns the PO box number?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    USPS is reluctant to give out that information. It might take a court order to access it.
  • Question
    If a winning lottery ticket has mail to P.O. Box then City, State and Zip Code will it reach destination without a recepient name or organization.
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes.
  • Question
    How can I send an online package to a PO box address in California? Should I enter the address the same as a regular street address?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    First line: name, if known. Second line: PO box number. Third line: city, state and zip code.
  • Question
    To do a mail drop into numerous post office boxes what should the first line be?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    You could write "Boxholder."
  • Question
    Do I use the address of of Post Office along with my PO Box number or is the zip code sufficient?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    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.
  • Question
    Does sending a card to a PO box cost anything?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes. In early 2023 the cost of mailing a postcard to any domestic address (including PO boxes) was 40 cents.
  • Question
    Will I still receive my package If my PO box number is listed before the words "PO box"? For example: 763 PO Box
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes, it's very likely that mail addressed that way would be delivered (without delay).
  • Question
    Instead of using the recipient's full name, can I just abbreviate their first name to one initial?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes. That shouldn't be a problem.
  • Question
    Can I put a letter addressed to a PO box in the mailbox for pickup?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes, you can drop a letter addressed to a PO box into any collection box.
  • Question
    Can I mail a letter with just a return address and a PO box address?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes.
  • Question
    Are there additional numbers in the zip code for a PO Box?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    No. A 5-digit zip code is enough.
  • Question
    Is writing a PO box as a return address the same process?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes.
  • Question
    What if you don't have the company associated with the PO box?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Mail will be delivered even if it is addressed only to a PO box and a specific zip code.
  • Question
    So you don't need to include the company of organization? You can just skip it and movie on to the next step/line?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Mail will be delivered to a PO box (or any other address, for that matter) even if it does not name the intended recipient.
  • Question
    Can I get someone to sign for a letter posted to a PO box?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    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.
  • Question
    What if they live somewhere in an apartment or hotel. Would I have to write “Suite 615” or something along those lines?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    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.
  • Question
    If by any chance I write the zip code before box number, will I still receive that mail?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    It's hard to say without seeing the mail. It will probably be delivered.
  • Question
    I'm sending a letter but I don't know the real person's name because they're anonymous, can I write their fake name?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    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.)
  • Question
    I was reading this and I really want to know about how much a letter will cost for the stamps. What if my letter is less one ounce and I put two stamps? Will that work or get rejected?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    It will work. Actually, one Forever stamp would have been enough.
  • Question
    Can I do priority mail to a PO box address?
    Community Answer
    Yes, that will work fine.
  • Question
    How do I set up a PO Box # where I will be for a few months? Currently I receive no mail at the address but will be there for longer periods of time.
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    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.
  • Question
    What about fan mail? Do I still put the return address there?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes, including a return address is always a good idea.
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