California Commercial Mail Receiving Agency
As an official Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA), California Registered Agent offers professional mail solutions designed for people and businesses that value security, privacy, and convenience. Our guide below covers everything you need to know about CMRAs and goes over how we can help streamline your mail.
What Is a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA)?
A Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) is a business authorized by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to receive, forward, and manage mail on behalf of clients. To legally handle and redistribute mail, a business must be officially registered as a CMRA.
California Registered Agent is a fully licensed CMRA—meaning we can securely manage your mail, provide digital mail forwarding, and offer virtual office services to clients nationwide. Unlike many virtual address providers, we own our building, so when you use our service, you get a genuine, physical street address, not a rented mailbox.
Why use a CMRA instead of a traditional P.O. Box?
There are many reasons to use a CMRA, including:
- Privacy
If you operate a business from your home, having clients show up at your door unannounced can really ruin your day. Using a CMRA mail address helps keep your address confidential. - Security
Mixing business mail with personal or shared office mail increases the risk of loss or exposure. A CMRA ensures your mail stays safe and private. - Professional appearance
It’s hard to look professional if your business address is a home address or P.O. Box. A commercial business mailing address with a CMRA boosts your credibility. - Stability and convenience
A CMRA offers you and your business a permanent address. Want to go on vacation? No worries, your CMRA will handle your mail for you, and you can access it online from anywhere.
How to Hire California Registered Agent as Your CMRA
Want a more private, secure, and flexible mail service? Here’s how you hire us:
Step 1: Sign up for Mail Scanning or Virtual Office Services
To hire California Registered Agent as your California CMRA, sign up here for any of the below services.
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Mail Scanning Service — $49/yr |
Premium Mail Scanning Service — $99/yr |
Virtual Office Service — $19/month |
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Includes a California business address with a unique suite number attached and 10 docs per year. You can treat that address as your own because it virtually is. We’ll scan your mail into your account daily. |
Includes a California business address with a unique suite number attached and 25 docs per year. You can treat that address as your own because it virtually is. We’ll scan your mail into your account daily. |
Includes a California business address with a unique suite number, unlimited document handling, and a local office lease. Comes with a California phone number, web-based phone service, and daily mail scanning. |
Step 2: Log into your client portal and fill out USPS Form 1583
You’ll need to fill out an official USPS document called the Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent (Form 1583):
- Log into your online client portal and complete Form 1583.
- Provide us with two forms of ID, such as a driver’s license and a voter registration card.
- We’ll notarize Form 1583 for you.
Note: We pre-fill, notarize, and submit Form 1583 on your behalf. All you have to do is provide an electronic signature and two USPS-approved IDs.
At California Registered Agent, we take your privacy seriously. We’ve built all of our data storage, and security, in-house, which means your data is safe with us. Even better, we’ll never sell or share it with third parties. Your personal information is required by USPS but will never be made public.
California CMRA Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to fill out Form 1583?
The Form 1583 requirement ensures that only authorized CMRAs are operating within California and protects you from dealing with disreputable mail service companies.
What forms of ID will the USPS accept for Form 1583?
Here are the forms of IDs, and types of Proof of Address that the USPS will accept (and not accept).
Photo IDs
- U.S. or State Driver’s License or ID Card
- U.S. or Foreign Passport
- Matricula Consular
- NEXUS or DOD Common Access Card
- U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization
- U.S. Permanent Resident Card
- University or Military ID
Proof of Address
- Lease or Mortgage Document
- Deed of Trust
- Voter or Vehicle Registration
- Home or Auto Insurance Policy
Unacceptable IDs
- Social Security Card
- Credit Card
- Birth Certificate
- Concealed Carry Permit
Do CMRAs only accept mail from the US Postal Service?
No, a CMRA can also accept mail from private carriers like UPS and FedEx.
Does California Registered Agent accept packages as a CMRA?
No. While we will fully accept mail for you, we are not able to handle package delivery, or return.
Will I need to get Form 1583 notarized?
Yes, but if you hire us to act as your CMRA, we can notarize the form for you.
Can I use a CMRA in the U.S. if I live in another country?
Yes, you can use an American-based CMRA even if you’re a resident of another country. Proof of address will still be required, though, even if it shows you live outside the U.S.
Does Form 1583 need to be updated?
Yes, you’ll need to update the form if your address or mail recipient changes, as well as when your photo ID expires.