US address and compliance
Illustrative image, AI-generatedShort answerA US address for bank and card is a mailing address at a receiving service that accepts, scans and forwards your letters. The US Postal Service requires Form 1583 for this, with a passport and proof of address, signed before the provider or a US notary, also by video. Banks recognize such addresses, and they do not count as a residence. The ongoing cost is a monthly fee to the provider.
Key points
- The address is the least conspicuous and at the same time the most frequent stumbling block of the entire setup.
- It must receive, scan and forward letters, and it must be verifiable as an address.
- Form 1583 is signed before the mail service or a notary commissioned in the US, also by video. A European notary does not qualify.
- The registered agent's address is there for official mail. For bank and card it usually does not work.
- A US address does not establish residence. Presenting it to the bank as one puts every account built on it at risk.
Three things called a US address
- The address format. Sending a letter to the US needs no service, just the name, house number and street, city with state and ZIP code, and the country.
- Package forwarding. Built for shopping in US online stores, with a warehouse and shipping to Europe. A forwarder is enough for that.
- A mailing address for bank, card and official mail. Receiving and scanning letters and getting cards delivered reliably. This page is about that case.
Which addresses work
To the US Postal Service, scanning services and package forwarders are the same category, and both count as a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA). What counts for the bank is whether letters and cards arrive reliably and whether the address can be verified.
| Type of address | What the bank sees | As a mailing address for bank and card | As a residence or place of business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiving service with mail scanning | flagged as a receiving service, with PMB or # | as a rule, yes | no |
| Package forwarder | flagged as a receiving service, often a well-known warehouse address | rarely, it is built for parcels | no |
| US Postal Service PO box | PO box | depends on the institution | no |
| Registered agent's address | the company's address for official mail | as a rule, no | no |
| Family or friends | an ordinary residential address | yes, with consent and reliable forwarding | only if you live there |
What the address looks like
The US Postal Service prescribes a fixed format for receiving services. Your box number appears as "PMB" (private mailbox) or as "#", either on a line of its own or after the street.
If the provider's own address already contains a suite or a #, "PMB" is mandatory, and merging the two into one designation is not allowed. The box number is part of the address at every bank and card issuer, otherwise mail can be returned.
- Line 1: your name or the company name
- Line 2: the provider's street number and name, followed by PMB and box number
- Line 3: city, state and ZIP code
Requirements
- A passport as photo ID. European national ID cards are not on the US Postal Service list.
- Proof of your home address showing exactly the address on the form: lease, mortgage or deed of trust, home or vehicle insurance policy, or vehicle registration.
- Form 1583, completed in full.
- A video appointment with the provider or a US online notary. Some providers require documents in English, which we clarify in advance.
Step-by-step process
- Choose the provider and location. The state affects later bank appointments.
- Prepare Form 1583 and the documents. We fill it in, you review. The address on the proof of address must match the form exactly, otherwise the provider cannot accept the application.
- Sign by video. Before the provider or a US notary, from Europe. The provider then uploads the form and ID copies to the US Postal Service customer database.
- Set up and test. A test shipment shows whether delivery, scanning and forwarding work.
- Create the proof. Only once the address can be verified do account and card applications go out.
Costs and timeline
| Item | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Address service | monthly fee, depending on provider and plan | set up within a few days |
| Signing Form 1583 by video | included by some providers, otherwise the fee of a US online notary | one appointment, from Europe |
| US phone number, usually set up at the same time | monthly fee, depending on provider | about one hour |
| Complete setup | not applicable | a few days once the proof of address is ready |
When it is not worth it
- You only want to order from US stores. A package forwarder is enough, and you do not need this service.
- You plan neither a US account nor a US card nor a US company. Then nothing needs to go to the address.
- The target bank requires a residence or place of business in the US and excludes mail services. A mailing address does not solve that.
- You already have an address with family or business partners in the US, with lasting consent and reliable forwarding.
- You want to give the address as your residence. We do not support that.
Common mistakes
- Using a well-known shopping forwarder address and wondering why several banks decline at once.
- Setting up the address but never testing it. The error then only shows when the card does not arrive.
- Submitting proof of address that does not match the address on the form exactly. The provider then cannot accept the application.
- Going to a notary in Europe. The US Postal Service only recognizes notaries commissioned in the US.
- Leaving out the box number at a bank or card issuer. Mail without PMB or # can be returned.
- Presenting the address to the bank as a place of residence.
Where the line is drawnProviding a US address for delivery and verification is common and correct. Claiming a residence that does not exist is a false statement to the bank, with account closure as the mildest consequence. We work exclusively with accurate information.
Frequently asked questions
Is my registered agent's address sufficient?
Usually not. It serves to receive official mail for the company. Banks and card issuers want an address where you or the company receive day-to-day mail. How the address question plays into building company credit is covered in US business credit from abroad.
Why does the mail service need to verify my identity?
The US Postal Service only allows mail to be received on someone else's behalf with Form 1583. The provider checks your ID and proof of address and uploads both to a US Postal Service database. Without complete documents, it may not accept your mail.
Do I have to get Form 1583 notarized by a notary in Europe?
No, a European notary does not qualify. The US Postal Service requires the signature before the mail service itself or before a notary commissioned in a US state. Both are allowed by live video, so a short video call from Europe is enough. This has applied since 1 May 2024.
Which documents do I need for Form 1583?
Two: your passport as photo ID and proof of your home address, such as a lease, a home or vehicle insurance policy or a vehicle registration. The address on it must match the one on the form exactly. If it does not, the provider cannot accept the application.
Do banks recognize that the address belongs to a mail service?
Yes. The US Postal Service keeps the addresses of receiving services in a separate table, and the official address check flags them with a dedicated indicator. On top of that comes the mandatory PMB or # with the box number. The only open question is whether the bank accepts the address as a mailing address.
Is a US shopping address the same thing?
Almost. Package forwarders also count as receiving services for the US Postal Service and require Form 1583. They are built for parcels from online stores, though, with a warehouse and consolidated shipping to Europe. A banking relationship needs letter scanning, reliable card delivery and a lasting contract.
Do I need a US address for a US account at all?
The US customer identification rule requires a residential or business address, not explicitly one in the US. Many institutions set their own rules on top, such as a US mailing address for cards and letters. Which address an institution accepts in which role is something we clarify before the application.
Does the address create a tax liability?
No. The IRS determines an individual's tax residence by days of presence, not by a mailing address. The assessment of your individual case is made by your tax advisor.
Can I change the address later?
Yes, but every change must be updated with all banks and card issuers. If details on Form 1583 change, you file an updated form with the provider. This is why we choose the location deliberately from the start.
What happens to my mail if I cancel the mail service?
Form 1583 rules out a change of address order with the US Postal Service in that case. Forwarding is up to you and the provider. Switch banks and card issuers to the new address before you cancel.
Sources and review
- US Postal Service: PS Form 1583, June 2024 edition, signature before provider or US notary, accepted proof of address, no change of address order, retrieved on 6 October 2026.
- US Postal Service: Domestic Mail Manual 508.1.8, Commercial Mail Receiving Agencies, forwarders as CMRAs, customer database, PMB address format, retrieved on 6 October 2026.
- US Postal Service: Domestic Mail Manual 608.10, acceptable identification, retrieved on 6 October 2026.
- Federal Register: Rule change for CMRAs, effective 1 May 2024, retrieved on 29 September 2026.
- US Postal Service: Address Information API, DPVCMRA indicator, retrieved on 29 September 2026.
- 31 CFR 1020.220: Customer Identification Program for banks, retrieved on 29 September 2026.
- IRS: Substantial Presence Test, retrieved on 29 September 2026.
- Our own experience from setups we have supported.
No tax or legal adviceBenefit Systems supports the organizational process. Tax and legal assessments remain with your tax advisor and your lawyer. Decisions on accounts, cards, limits and entry into the US are made exclusively by banks and authorities.
Next step
Clarify the requirements before you apply for anything
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What we'll cover in the call
- Can I do this without living in the US?
- Do we need a US company?
- How long does it take to build US credit?