RSBM
Um... I've never had to prove that I lived in the same city as where I got a PO Box. In fact, I've usually gotten one months before I moved, before I even found housing, so that I had somewhere to forward mail to ahead of time. For both same-state and different-state moves. You have to have ID, and you have to prove your current physical address, but it doesn't have to be local to the PO Box. It's incredibly common in the region I'm from for people to get boxes at a different office because the size they want is unavailable at the nearest one. (Or, they're completely full up, which happens at one particular location at least once a year.)
The last time I had to add multiple adults to my box, I simply added all their names. The only reason they needed to show ID was if they were going to want to be able to enter the post office and be handed the mail; the post office doesn't care who picks it up with a key. And any name will end up in the box at most post offices, so long as it has the correct address. Even using a pseudonym on a PO box is relatively simple, just add it to the list. The ID proof is so they can track down at least one real person in connection with the box, if necessary. (I've had a lot more difficulty trying to get them to STOP delivering mail to me that was not for me/my household. That's pretty much futile, IMO.)
Hmmm.. Must be I misunderstood the rules as they explained it to me then. It was over a decade ago and all I remember is I had to make 3 trips to stand in line at 2 different Post Office locations because the first location said I didn't live in their county (even though it was the closest PO to me) and the second location I went to said I had to prove I lived where I said I had just moved to, so I had to go back with a copy of my lease. This was also before you could do things online (or if you could, I was not aware of it and there were no such things as smart phones, LOL). Anyway, I looked at the rules and I think you're right, Tealrose. If I'm reading this correctly it only says you have to to prove your connection to the physical address you put down:
ID REQUIRED
Whether you apply online or at a Post Office,
two valid forms of identification (one photo and one non-photo) are required when you obtain your keys or combination at the Post Office where your box is located. You must present the IDs at a Post Office.
One item must contain a photograph and one must be traceable to the bearer (prove your physical address). Both must be current. Acceptable forms of ID include:
Photo ID Options:
■•■Valid U.S. driver’s license or state non-driver’s identification card
■•■U.S. Armed forces, government, university, or recognized corporate employee identification card
■•■Passport, passport card, alien registration card, or certificate of naturalization
■•■NEXUS or Matricula Consular card.
Non-Photo ID Options:
■•■Current lease, mortgage, or deed of trust
■•■Voter or vehicle registration card
■•■Home or vehicle insurance policy
Note: Social Security cards, credit cards, and birth certificates are not acceptable forms of ID.
https://about.usps.com/forms/ps1093.pdf
So, does that mean you can live anywhere, but you have to prove the address you write on the box lease as your current address? Could Lori have used an AZ address to get the Sugar City PO Box?
MOO
Author
