Texas Commercial Mail Receiving Agency
Hire a USPS-Verified CMRA
Texas Virtual Office is a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency, so we can provide a USPS-verified business address, digital mail forwarding, and junk mail filtering to each of our Mail Scanning and Virtual Office clients. Hiring a CMRA is a great option for digital nomads, business owners who work from home, and anyone who is sick of losing important mail and sifting through junk mail.
Mail Scanning Services
- Easily complete PS Form 1583 in your client portal
- Real Austin address with unique suite number
- Same-day mail scans & email notifications
- Obvious junk mail automatically shredded
- Ability to accept mail from all postal carriers, not just USPS
- Secure online account to view & save documents
- Free local phone & email support
- Virtual Office includes phone service, office lease, & more
What Is a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency?
A Commercial Mail Receiving Agency provides mail forwarding services for clients, either through physical forwarding, digital mail scanning, or in-person pickup. A CMRA first needs to register with the USPS as a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency. Since a CMRA address is a real, physical address, you can use it on most business forms, even if a P.O. box isn’t allowed.
Can I use a CMRA address as my business address?
You can use a CMRA address as your business address almost anywhere, including:
- Your website, social media, & marketing materials
- With customers, vendors, or investors
- For all members, managers or directors on the Certificate of Formation
- Your EIN filing and business tax returns with the IRS
- Your Franchise Tax Report or Public Information Report
- To open a business bank account (with many, but not all banks)
There are a few places where you may not be able to use a virtual address. For example, on your individual tax returns, you’ll need to use your residential address.
As a Texas CMRA, we offer Mail Scanning and Virtual Office services. With both of these services, you get a real commercial address in Austin with your own unique suite number, which you can use as your business address. When your mail arrives at our building, our vetted local employees open it, scan it to your secure online account, and send you an email notification that you have a mail item to view.
Your junk mail is automatically shredded. If you need a piece of mail physically forwarded, such as a check, you can easily request this inside your account. Physical mail forwarding for individual mail items costs a small fee + postage.
To get a CMRA, order a mail forwarding, mail scanning, or virtual office service from a USPS-authorized CMRA (like us!). You’ll need to fill out a USPS form called Form 1583, which authorizes the CMRA to accept and forward your mail. Your CMRA should send you this form and deliver it to the USPS for you.
When you hire Texas Virtual Office as your CMRA, you’ll be able to complete Form 1583 directly in your online account. We’ll have it verified and submit it to the USPS. You won’t need to worry about printing, mailing, or delivering the paperwork yourself.
Who Can Benefit from Using a CMRA?
A CMRA provides privacy, convenience, and a legit commercial business address. Some people who can especially benefit from using a CMRA include:
1. Home-based and online businesses
Nowadays, many small business owners run their company from their home office or on a laptop at a coffee shop. But you’re still expected to provide a business address on forms like the Certificate of Formation and the Public Information Report. Since all of the information on these forms goes on the public record, using your home address here isn’t the best idea. A CMRA gives you a virtual address you can use on these forms instead.
2. Digital nomads
Some people don’t want to be tied down to one location, but they don’t want to miss important business mail either. Some Commercial Mail Receiving Agents (like us!) offer digital mail scanning, letting you view your mail from anywhere.
3. Business owners who want to streamline their paperwork
With all the invoices, contracts, and receipts that business owners need to keep track of, it’s easy for important things to get lost. When you hire a CMRA who uploads your mail to an online account, you’ll have an easy place to keep track of all your business mail. Plus, the CMRA will filter out and shred junk mail, so you can focus on what’s important.
Virtual Office and Mail Scanning Options
Texas Virtual Office offers two tiers of Mail Scanning service, starting at $49/year, along with a full-service Virtual Office package for only $15 a month.
| Deluxe Mail Scanning $49/year | Premium Mail Scanning $99/year | Virtual Office $15/month | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin business address | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Unique suite number | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Same-day scans | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Number of mail scans included | 10 | 25 | UNLIMITED |
| Secure online account | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Junk mail filtering | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Phone service | ✔ | ||
| Non-binding office lease | ✔ | ||
| Option to rent conference rooms | ✔ | ||
| Local phone and email support | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
How to Use Our CMRA Services
Getting a permanent business address is easy and affordable when you hire us
1. Sign up for Mail Scanning or Virtual Office
First, choose between three mail service options:
- Deluxe Mail Scanning – $49/year (Includes 10 mail scans)
- Premium Mail Scanning – $99/year (Includes 25 mail scans)
- Virtual Office – $15/month (Includes UNLIMITED mail scans + Phone Service)
Don’t worry too much if you’re not sure which package you need. It’s easy to upgrade or downgrade your level of service later.
2. Fill out PS Form 1583 in your online account
Form 1583, also called Application of Mail Through Agent, is the form that the USPS requires every CMRA customer to fill out. The form verifies the identity of the customer and confirms that the CMRA has permission to forward their mail.
Form 1583 requires:
- Full name
- Residential address
- Photo ID
- Proof of address
Acceptable Photo ID
- U.S. State/Territory/Tribal Drivers or Non-Drivers ID Card
- U.S. Passport
- Foreign Passport
- Matricula Consular
- NEXUS card
- U.S. Access Card
- DOD Common Access Card
- PIV Card
- U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization
- U.S. Permanent Resident Card
- U.S. Uniformed Service ID Card
- U.S. University Card
Acceptable Proof of Address
- Lease
- Mortgage
- Deed of trust
- Voter or vehicle registration card
- Home or vehicle insurance policy
Forms of ID that are NOT accepted
- Social security cards
- Credit cards
- Birth certificates
- Concealed carry permit
We make submitting Form 1583 as easy as possible. You can fill out the information and upload your identification directly in your client account. We’ll verify the information and submit it to the USPS on your behalf.
3. Use your new business address on forms and more
Within a few days of sign-up, we’ll send you your new address and unique suite number. Go ahead and put this address on your website and marketing materials, your Certificate of Formation and Public Information Report, and practically everywhere else that you need a business address.
4. Receive your mail
When your mail arrives, we’ll scan the document to your online account the same day and notify you by email that you have mail to view. We only upload your mail to your online account (not to your email) because your client account is much more secure than the average email platform.
Commercial Mail Receiving Agency FAQ
The information on Form 1583 is NOT made public. Only the USPS and the CMRA will see this information.
An owner or officer of the business must submit their personal ID with Form 1583.
You can use your driver’s license as your photo ID but not for your proof of address. The USPS requires two separate documents for photo ID and proof of address.
You don’t need to live in the US to use a CMRA. The process is the same whether or not you live in the US.
You’ll need to submit an updated Form 1583 if your photo ID expires or your residential address changes.
No, clients who are only using our registered agent service don’t need to fill out Form 1583. Only clients using Mail Scanning and Virtual Office service need to complete this form.
Say Goodbye to Junk Mail Forever
Mail Scanning & Virtual Office Services