The USPS delivers 425.3 million pieces of postal mail daily, not counting letters and documents delivered by private carriers. For perspective, the 2022 US population comprises 332.4 million people — 2-3 pieces of postal mail are sent per person in the U.S. daily, with packages on top of that.
The way we communicate and do business has drastically changed because of technology, but it’s clear that a fixed physical mailing address is still a necessity today.
With people today traveling and moving residences more frequently, having a single permanent address has become a novelty. However, a physical mailing address remains essential.
6 Reasons You Still Need a Physical Address in the Digital Age
1. It’s a business requirement.
- You must provide a physical address when registering your business, even if your business is entirely online. Most states don’t accept P.O. Boxes for registering your business. You’ll need a real street address.
- Business Registration – You must provide a physical address when registering and running your business, even if your business is entirely online. Most states do not accept P.O. Boxes for registering your business; you need a real street address. To fulfill this business requirement, entrepreneurs often resort to using their home addresses. If budget allows, they rent a space and use its address for business purposes.
- Business Operations – Running a business requires a physical address for smoother operations. You will need a mailing address when you apply for a business loan, buy a website domain, transact with suppliers, and even print business cards.
You need a physical mailing address to receive contracts, business mail, bills, statements, and other vital documents for your business. If you have physical products, you also need them for returns or consolidating supplies.
2. Banks will ask for it.
- Many banking transactions require a permanent or physical mailing address, and you’ll need a physical address when you open a bank account.
- Many significant bank transactions require filling out forms that ask for a physical mailing address. While you can sometimes use a P.O. Box as a mailing address, you will still need a physical address when you open a bank account.
When you apply for a credit card, you’ll need to provide an address to which your bills will be mailed. Whether you are applying for a credit card for personal use or your business, a physical address is a credit card application essential
3. Credit card companies require it.
- When you apply for a credit card, you’ll need to provide a physical address. Whether you’re applying for personal use or your business, a permanent address is a credit card application essential.
4. You need it for health insurance coverage.
- When you apply for health insurance, you’ll fill out a form that asks for your home address. You’ll then send a separate document proving that you live at that address.
- Typically, you can only get insurance in the state where you reside, but it’s also possible to get multi-state coverage. In either case, the insurance provider will ask for proof of residence and a physical address.
5. Legal and official correspondence.
- Government agencies like the DMV or city and county tax offices sometimes send you important notices via snail mail. Delivered to your home address, you often must respond to these notices quickly. For example, if you receive a jury duty notice, you’re required to act fast. If you don’t, you’ll soon have more significant time-consuming headaches.
- Driver’s License, Passport, SSN, other IDs – To process ID cards or documents, you must provide documentation proving your residential or physical address. After processing, your SSN card, driver’s license, and passport will be sent to the mailing address you used.
- Job Applications – When you apply for a job, you provide an address where employers can reach you, aside from phone or email. Employers may still opt to send documents like job offers or contracts to this address. They also use your physical mailing address to complete payroll documents, verify your identity, and run background checks..
- Voting – When registering to vote, you typically need proof of residence. Some states accept business or temporary addresses for voter registration, but you still need to prove that you live in the state where you want to vote.
- Civic Duties – When you are called for jury duty, you will receive the summons via your mailing address. Failure to respond to the summons can lead to a fine of $1,500, incarceration of 5 days, or both.
- Government Benefits – Even if you receive your benefits by direct deposit, the government will still need your physical mailing address to send you correspondence and other notices.
6. Your mail can’t automatically chase you when you relocate or travel.
- If you travel often, you still need a permanent address to receive correspondence. It can be cumbersome to inform your family and friends about your new address whenever you fly off to a new spot. When they send you something, you may be off to another locale.
- If you have a single address where the post office or carriers can deliver mail and packages, you’ll be genuinely location-independent and be free to continent-hop with peace of mind.
7.
- Traveling – You must show proof of residence when applying for a visa. But apart from paperwork, a mailing address also has practical purposes when you travel.
- You need a physical address to receive your correspondence when you travel, especially if you will be away for at least several months. It can be cumbersome to inform your family, friends, work, the government, or bank about your new address whenever you fly off to a new location, especially if you travel frequently.
It is much better to have a single address where the post office or carriers can deliver mail and packages. This way, you’ll be genuinely location-independent and be free to hop from one continent to another.
Why Use A Virtual Mailbox Real Street Address as Your Permanent Mailing Address
1. Your mail and packages are safe in a staffed location.
- A virtual mailbox is in a staffed location that keeps your mail and packages securely. The operator will store your mail or packages until you set a pick-up appointment or request to shred, recycle, or forward them. They can also consolidate your postal mail or packages for single or future pick-ups.
- A virtual mailbox is perfect if you often travel or run a small business. You’ll have peace of mind that your mail and parcels are in safe hands, not exposed to the elements or pesky porch pirates.
2. It adds a layer of protection to your home.
- When you register your business, your address becomes public information and will be posted on the Secretary of State’s website. We do not recommend using your home address for your business mailing address. Use a virtual mailbox with a real street address instead. Far safer in every way.
3. You can manage your postal mail and packages anytime, anywhere.
Aside from the useful real street address, a virtual mailbox also provides the following conveniences:
- Remote Mail Access – It lets you know immediately when a postal mail or package has arrived for you, no matter where you are.
- Remote Mail Management – You can manage your postal mail easily via an app on your phone or a web portal on your computer or laptop.
- Mail Action Requests – You can request to have your mail items opened and scanned, forwarded to another location, shredded, and recycled.
- Digital File Storage – A virtual mailbox provides digital storage of all your postal mail items. You can access your scanned postal mail for as long as your Anytime Mailbox account is active.
A permanent mailing address is still essential today, and a virtual mailbox is the most budget-friendly, safe, and convenient option.
Anytime Mailbox is available in over 1,800 locations across the United States and globally. You can pick a location that fits your needs, whether for business, travel, or address anonymity. Signing up is a simple process. You can get started here.
