PS Form 1583 for RVers, Digital Nomads and Expats
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If you live on the road or abroad, any U.S. mail-forwarding or virtual mailbox service needs USPS Form 1583 from you. The good news: since the 2024 rule update you don't need to show up anywhere in person.
What applies to you
- Remote signing is allowed. You can sign by real-time video before the mailbox provider's staff, or acknowledge it before a U.S.-commissioned notary by video (USPS PS 1583; Federal Register 2024-06989).
- You still need two IDs, and one must verify the address you write on the form.
- Foreign address documents: some providers accept them and some don't. VirtualPostMail states that your second ID may be from a foreign country (VirtualPostMail help). Check with your provider first.
- Identity checks differ by provider. Some CMRAs verify you on live video themselves. Others ask for a notarized form, and they may have their own rules on which online notary platforms they accept. Ask your provider which route it accepts before you pay a notary.
RV mail services
RV-focused mail services require it too. Escapees Mail Service, for example, asks new members to complete Form 1583 and states it must be notarized (Escapees Mail Service). A mailbox address alone doesn't establish legal domicile; that depends on your state's rules (driver's license, vehicle registration, voting).
In person vs online
| In person | Online | |
|---|---|---|
| Notary | Bank or shipping store, wherever you are in the U.S. | U.S.-commissioned notary by video, from anywhere |
| Outside the U.S. | Not practical: the form calls for a notary commissioned in a U.S. state, territory or D.C. | Usually the easiest option, or use your provider's own video verification |
Options
- Online notary: Notarize (Proof) · OneNotary · NotaryLive
- Virtual mailbox that accepts foreign address proof: VirtualPostMail (sponsored link)
Step by step: PS Form 1583 for a virtual mailbox.
Comparing three virtual mailbox providers
Each provider's claims below come from its own website (checked October 2026). Prices change and depend on location, so check the current plan pages yourself. We don't list prices here.
| Provider | What its own site says | Good fit if |
|---|---|---|
| VirtualPostMail | Mail scanning, check deposit, package forwarding. SOC 2 Type II certified. Accepts a foreign second ID and online notarizations for Form 1583 (help page) | You live outside the U.S. and need the 1583 step to be easy |
| iPostal1 | 4,250+ mailbox locations in the U.S. and internationally, with plan pricing that varies by location tier. Also offers an online notarization service (ipostal1.com) | You want a choice of street addresses in a particular city or state |
| Traveling Mailbox | Scans envelope exteriors, then opens and scans contents on request. Worldwide mail forwarding, check deposits, support 7 days a week by phone, chat and email. Operating since 2011 (travelingmailbox.com) | You're an RVer or traveler and want hands-on support |
Whichever provider you choose, Form 1583 rules are the same: two IDs, signed in front of the provider (in person or by live video) or a U.S.-commissioned notary.
Disclosure: PaperworkPath is an affiliate of all three providers and may earn a commission if you sign up through these links. It doesn't change the price you pay.
Related guides
- California Notary Fees (2026) and Where to Get Notarized
- Can Real Estate Documents Be Notarized Online?
- Can a Notary Complete Form I-9? (Authorized Representative Rules)
- Florida Notary Fees (2026), In Person and Online
- Getting a Power of Attorney Notarized: In Person or Online
- How to Notarize USPS Form 1583 (In Person or Online)