Can You Use a P.O. Box for an LLC?

Can you use a P.O. box for an LLC? If you’ve found yourself asking that question, you’re not alone. A lot of small business owners wonder this, even if they have a physical space for their business. But there are some technicalities to how you can use a P.O. box for a limited liability company (LLC).

In this guide, we’ll discuss when you can use a P.O. box for your LLC, when you can’t, and some other options you can consider for your address needs.

Can you use a P.O. box for an LLC?

This question isn’t quite specific enough. If you’re asking “Can I use a P.O. box for my LLC’s primary physical business address on government documents like my Articles of Organization?” then the answer’s no. If you’re asking if you can use a P.O. box for your LLC’s registered address, you’ll get another “no.” But if you’re asking whether you can use a P.O. box for a mailing address, then the answer’s yes.No matter what state you’re in, you’ll have to designate a registered agent who’s located at a physical address in the state (sometimes the name of the role varies). You’ll also have to list a primary address that your business calls home. But neither of these addresses can be P.O. boxes. You can, however, have a second separate mailing address that’s a P.O. box. This distinction is subtle but important. Learn more about the business address definition here.

Address Requirements for an LLC

A limited liability company needs to have a physical address listed in its Articles of Organization (see definition). Many small business owners list their home address, perhaps out of necessity or because they’re a home-based business. From a legal standpoint, that’s usually a valid option, but not all entrepreneurs prefer it because their address becomes part of the public record. Thankfully, there are alternatives (see below).

By requiring physical addresses for LLCs, states promote consumer protection. If you don’t have a legal address for your business, you risk fines, a poorer public image, and losing your good standing with the state.

How to Set Up a P.O. Box Address for Your LLC

If you want to use a postal office box address for your LLC, you’ll likely use it as a secure business mailing address for your packages and letters (while listing your home or other address as your physical address). And that’s perfectly legitimate and even commonplace. As long as you aren’t listing the P.O. box as your registered agent’s address or primary office address, you can use the P.O. box to suit any of your business needs.

It’s relatively simple to reserve a P.O. box at your local post office location. You can apply for one online on the U.S. Postal Service website. The post office offers five different sizes of private mailboxes, so you’ll need to pick the one that best fits your needs. You’ll pick your keys up in person after you provide two forms of ID (one photo ID). Then you can pick up your mail and packages within regular post office hours.

Many small business owners do this to keep business mail from cluttering their personal mailbox, even while their home address is listed as their business location.

Alternatives to a P.O. Box Address for an LLC

Today, post office boxes aren’t the only address options you have for managing your business mail. Here are some alternatives to P.O. boxes you might consider.

Virtual Business Address

A virtual business address is a great way to keep your business mail accessible without cramming your personal mailbox. Virtual address services are often a physical location in a business park where an agent is present to accept mail and deliveries. The agent then scans all the mail that’s received and uploads it to your account for easy reference.

To designate the agent as someone who’s authorized to receive your mail, you’ll have to submit Form 1583 to the U.S. Post Office along with any other paperwork the service requires. If you don’t file this form, the agent present at the virtual address won’t be allowed to receive your mail.

Home Address

Many entrepreneurs default to listing their home address as their business address on their official documents. For many, that’s a choice of convenience because they operate their business out of their home. And in many cases, it’s perfectly legal.

That said, some landlords or homeowners’ associations don’t allow you to do this. Zoning laws might even prohibit certain activities at a residential address. Or, perhaps you don’t want your personal mailing address listed on forms that are public record (a privacy concern for many). While your state will accept your residence as a business location, there are pros and cons you’ll need to evaluate; that’s why virtual addresses and home addresses are better for different entrepreneurs.

Coworking Space

Coworking space has become a popular choice for self-employed people and other members of the gig economy. Typically, these spaces offer membership packages that give you access to shared physical office space, meeting rooms for in-person business operations, WiFi, and the ability to use their business address as yours. Being able to list an address in a proper business park can add an extra layer of professionalism to your business.

WeWork is a common name in the coworking industry, but there’s a good chance that there are other communities available in your area, too.

Other Physical Address

If you have a dedicated location for your business, then that’s the most natural choice for your LLC’s business address. But even if you don’t have that luxury, there may be other options. For example, the UPS store offers business mailboxes that give you a real physical street address instead of a P.O. box number. In many locations, you can even access your mail outside of regular business hours. Plus, they’ll accept deliveries from all major carriers.