What is a CMRA?
A CMRA, or Commercial Mail Receiving Agency, is a private company authorized to receive mail on behalf of third parties.
In a nutshell, instead of having the U.S. Postal Service deliver mail to you or your business directly, USPS instead delivers it to a CMRA you’ve hired to handle your mail. They’re then responsible for getting that mail to you.
CMRAs can serve individuals or businesses, and there are a few different ways you can get your mail depending on what services your CMRA offers.
Mail Services We Offer As A CMRA
Open & Scan Service
Open & Scan Service turns your snail mail into digital mail that you can access from anywhere you’ve got an internet connection. Our experts work from a secured site where they weed out your junk mail, then open and scan your mail to your online account the same day we receive it. You’ll get a notification that you have new mail to view, and you can check it at your leisure.
Physical Forwarding
If you’d like to receive specific items of mail the old-fashioned way, your online account has a handy Click-to-Request feature to do just that. When you log into your account and spot an item you’d like physically forwarded, just hit the button. Whether you’re requesting documents or small packages, we’re happy to send them along for a nominal fee plus postage.
If you’ve retained us for registered agent services, note that these services apply only to your ordinary business mail—not any service of process or state correspondence we receive on your behalf as your registered agent.
How You Benefit By Using a CMRA
Authenticated Ownership
It doesn’t get much more official than having the stamp of approval from the United States Postal Service. Only a CMRA can offer the additional legitimacy of a USPS-verified address for personal mailboxes or suites.
Extra Security
Using a CMRA ensures your mail is being handled by a verified, dedicated service provider—not just any Joe Schmoe. Never lose another piece of mail to an unguarded mailbox or the bustle of a busy office.
Enhanced Privacy
We never sell your data, period. We only collect the legal minimum required for service fulfillment, and we retain that information only as long as necessary. Check our Privacy Policy for the nitty-gritty details.
Get the Freedom and Security of a Montana Virtual Address with Unlimited Mail Scanning
Your Guide to Hiring Us As Your CMRA
Getting unlimited mail scanning for your personal use so you can heed the call of the open road, or just need someone to hold down the mail fort while you’re operating from out of state? You can do it all from your online account, and we can walk you through the paperwork process.
Step 1: Order Mail Scanning Service
- Select whether you’re purchasing Mail Scanning Service for an individual or a business.
- Choose your optional items, like registered agent service or phone service.
- Provide us with your contact information.
- Establish the account credentials you’ll use to access your services with us.
- Provide a billing method and submit your payment.
Step 2: Complete USPS Form 1583
- Once your payment is accepted, you’ll be automatically logged into your secure online account.
- You’ll see a prompt to “Finalize Your Filing”—that is, your Online Federal Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent filing. This is your USPS Form 1583. Select “Get Started” to complete the form.
We make it as painless as possible to complete this form. You can provide all the information, submit your documentation, and provide your electronic signature all right from your online account.
Step 3: Settle Back and Relax
- Once our requirements with the U.S. Postal Service are met, we’re authorized to begin accepting your mail. We’ll provide you with a unique suite number that you can use as your business and/or mailing address anywhere you like.
- We’ll scan your mail to your online account the same day we receive it, then send you a notification. Log into your account from anywhere with an internet connection to view and manage your mail and any other services you may have with us.
Everything You Need to Know About the Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent (USPS Form 1583)
Being a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency comes with perks—and yes, a little extra paperwork. But we think that’s a small price to pay for offering our clients best-in-class service, and we’re here to help you understand and meet those regulatory requirements.
Why is USPS Form 1583 required?
The USPS Form 1583 verifies your identity, which reduces the chances of mail fraud. It’s also the document authorizing us to serve as your Commercial Mail Receiving Agent.
What information do I need to provide for USPS Form 1583?
USPS Form 1583 requires some personally-identifiable information to verify that you are redirecting your mail to a CMRA. You’ll need to provide the following information and documentation:
- Your government name
- Your residential street address
- Your photo ID
- Proof of your residential street address
What forms of identification are accepted for USPS Form 1583?
To verify your identity, you’ll need to provide two separate forms of identification: a primary or photo ID, and an address ID (proof of address). The documents permitted for each are listed here:
| Accepted Primary or Photo IDs | Accepted Proof of Address |
|---|---|
| U.S. State/Territory/Tribal Driver’s or Nondriver’s ID Card* | U.S. State/Territory/Tribal Driver’s or Nondriver’s ID Card* |
| Passport | Current Lease |
| U.S. Access Card | Mortgage or Deed of Trust |
| U.S. University ID Card | Home or Vehicle Insurance Policy |
| Uniformed Service ID | Vehicle Registration Card |
| Matricula Consular | Voter Card |
| NEXUS Card | |
| Certificate of Naturalization | |
| U.S. Permanent Resident Card |
*You must submit unique documents for photo identification and proof of residence. If you use your U.S. State/Territory/Tribal Driver’s License or nondriver’s ID Card for one, you must submit a different document for the other.
If it’s not listed here, it’s not valid documentation. That goes for your social security card, your credit card (even your Costco card), your birth certificate, or your concealed carry permit.
How do I get the USPS Form 1583 form notarized?
We’ll handle this part in-house at no cost to you.
Commercial Mail Receiving Agency FAQs
Do I need to use my own ID to submit a 1583 for my business?
No—you can authorize another individual to complete USPS Form 1583 on behalf of your business if you don’t want to submit your own identification.
Will I still be able to get mail from other carriers besides USPS?
Absolutely! We accept from carriers like FedEX, UPS, and more.
Can I hire a CMRA even if I don’t live in the U.S.?
Yes, and this is a very common practice. As long as you meet the documentation requirements for proof of identification and proof of address (a non-U.S. address can be accepted), you’re good to go.
Why do I need to submit multiple 1583s?
While most folks only need to complete a single USPS Form 1583, there are a couple situations in which you need to complete multiple:
- If you’re using a CMRA for a personal mail box, each adult authorizing the CMRA to receive mail on their behalf at that address must complete a USPS Form 1583.
- If you’re using a CMRA for multiple businesses, each business will need a unique USPS Form 1583 filed.
Can a CMRA accept packages?
Here at $49 Montana Registered Agent, we can accept small packages not to exceed dimensions of 30″ x 30″ x 30″ or a weight of 30lbs. Other CMRA providers may have different policies.