Your Guide to Commercial Mail Receiving Agents
We’re a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA)!
On this page we’ll explain what a CMRA is, and why it’s good for your business.
What is a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA)?
A Commercial Mail Receiving Agency is an entity approved by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to receive mail on behalf of a business or individual for the purposes of forwarding or redistribution. Only a CMRA can legally accept mail on your behalf. Hiring a CMRA allows you to keep your own address private for any reason, but it does require that you disclose your personal information to the USPS through the authorization form 1583. You can feel safe knowing that we never sell client information to anyone, for any reason.
Your privacy is our priority. We will help make sure you are disclosing only what is legally required by the postal service to hire a CMRA.
Why a CMRA Is Better Than a P.O. Box
A P.O. Box protects your privacy, but it has a lot of downsides, too. They aren’t very professional, and you have to walk into the post office to retrieve your mail. CMRAs typically offer a “private mail box” or PMB in a commercial building, which looks a lot better as a contact address than a P.O. Box. But we go even further.
How We Take it a Step Further
We are a CMRA, but we also own all the buildings we operate out of. That means we are able to issue suite numbers.
A business address with us is better than a P.O. Box because:
- It’s United States Post Office verified
- It’s an office suite in our professional building in West Jordan, Utah
- It can be used as a permanent business address
- When used with our Virtual Office Service, it includes an office lease
CMRA Mail Services
CMRAs receive your mail and then can either forward that mail onto you or open-and-scan your mail to a secure server. We offer the best of both options.
Open-and-Scan Mail Services
Because we are a CMRA, we are authorized to open mail on your behalf and scan its full contents to our own secure server. Open-and-scan mail enables total freedom from mail. You’ll be able to view and print your mail from anywhere with internet service. Your mail contents are permanently stored on a secure server.
One-Click Physical Forward
We are still happy to physically forward individual pieces of mail on an as-requested basis. This is for situations where you need the original copy, like a check. We make this very simple using our “click-to-request” system. We store original documents for 50 calendar days, and as long as you request it within that time period, we’ll send it on to you. Just pay the handling fee and and shipping charges.
What You’ll Need to Hire a CMRA
The USPS requires that you complete an authorization form called a 1583 to hire a CMRA.
What is the USPS Form 1583 and Why Is it Required?
The USPS form 1583 authorizes a CMRA to receive your mail for you. It is required to hire a CMRA. Fortunately, we’ve made the process of completing this form very easy. We’ll pre-fill it and submit it for you. All you’ll have to do is electronically sign it and submit the required ID through your client portal. You will not need to have the form notarized.
What Information Will You Need to Provide for the Authorization Form 1583?
- Name
- Residential street address
- Photo ID (acceptable forms listed below)
- Proof of address (acceptable forms listed below)
What Forms of ID Are Acceptable for the 1583?
The USPS accommodates a number of different forms of identification. You must use one ID from each list.
Primary or Photo IDs that are acceptable:
- U.S. State/Territory/Tribal Drivers or Non-Drivers ID Card
- U.S. Passport
- Foreign Passport
- Matricula Consular
- NEXUS card
- U.S. Access Card
- DOD Common Access Card
- PIV Card
- U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization
- U.S. Permanent Resident Card
- U.S. Uniformed Service ID Card
- U.S. University Card
Acceptable forms of proof of address
- Lease
- Mortgage
- Deed of trust
- Voter or vehicle registration card
- Home or vehicle insurance policy
ID’s that are NOT acceptable:
- Social security cards
- Credit cards
- Birth certificates
- Concealed carry permit
FAQs
Will the 1583 Need to Be Notarized?
We do not require a notary for your 1583. As a CMRA, we are able to use our own internal witness verification. There is no burden placed on you to print and sign the form.
I’m submitting a 1583 for my business. Do I have to use my own ID?
The requirement is that an officer of the company must sign the form and provide their ID.
Can a Non-U.S. Address Be Used on 1583?
Yes! A non-U.S. resident can hire a CMRA. A non-U.S. residential address is acceptable on the form. You’ll just need to provide an acceptable form of identification (listed above).