How to Get a US Business Address for Non-Residents (Banking & Amazon Approved)
Your home address won't work. Here's how to get a legitimate US address that banks and payment processors actually accept.
📋 What's Covered in This Guide
Why You Need a US Business Address (Even If You Never Visit)
You've formed your Wyoming or Delaware LLC. Great. Now every US bank, payment processor, and e-commerce platform asks the same question: "What's your US business address?"
Using your home address in Spain, Mexico, Colombia, or Argentina creates three major problems:
1. Banks Will Reject You
Mercury, Wise, and Relay require a Physical US Address for KYC compliance. Foreign addresses trigger automatic rejection in their systems.
2. Your Privacy Is Gone
State business registries publish your address online. Anyone can Google your LLC and find your exact home address on the Wyoming Secretary of State website.
3. You Lose Credibility
US clients don't trust "TechCo LLC - Calle Falsa 123, Bogotá." A Miami or Delaware address projects professionalism and legitimacy.
The Solution
You need a legitimate US business address that satisfies banks, protects your privacy, and looks professional—all without physically living in the US.
The 3 Types of US Business Addresses (Critical Differences)
Not all US addresses are created equal. Understanding the difference will save you from costly mistakes.
Registered Agent Address
What It Is
A legal representative who receives official government mail (lawsuits, tax notices, annual report reminders) on behalf of your LLC.
Primary Use
- Legal service of process
- State compliance documents
- Required on LLC formation paperwork
- Legally required anyway
- Often included in LLC packages
- Protects your privacy
- Not designed for business mail
- Can't receive packages/cards
- Limited forwarding options
Virtual Mailbox (CMRA)
What It Is
A Commercial Mail Receiving Agency that gives you a real street address with a unique suite number.
Primary Use
- Receiving business mail & invoices
- Bank debit cards & checkbooks
- Package delivery (FedEx, UPS)
- Remote check deposit
- Bank-approved & KYC compliant
- Mail scanning via mobile app
- Can receive physical items
- Premium location choices
- International forwarding
- Monthly subscription cost
- Requires Form 1583 setup
- Not for inventory storage
PO Box
What It Is
A locked mailbox at a US Post Office.
Primary Use
- Personal mail only
- Low-cost receiving for individuals
Mercury, Stripe, Amazon, and most US services automatically reject PO Box addresses. Not suitable for business use.
Quick Comparison
| Address Type | Legal Docs | Banking | Amazon | Receive Cards | Cost/Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Agent | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Maybe | ⚠️ Maybe | ❌ No | $125-300 |
| Virtual Mailbox | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | $120-360 |
| PO Box | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ⚠️ Maybe | $20-75 |
Option 1: Use Your Registered Agent Address (Budget Method)
Since you're required to have a Registered Agent anyway, some premium providers allow you to use their address for business purposes.
The Strategy
- Hire a Registered Agent with mail scanning (required by law anyway)
- Use their physical address on your LLC documents
- They scan incoming mail and email you PDFs
- List this address on bank applications
⭐ Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent
- ✅ Real street address in Wyoming, Delaware, or 50 states
- ✅ Free unlimited mail scanning
- ✅ Privacy protection (your home address stays private)
- ✅ Legal compliance included
⚠️ Limitations
- Low mail volume only: Not designed for high-frequency business correspondence
- No physical packages: Can't receive FedEx/UPS or large items
- Bank acceptance varies: Some banks prefer dedicated Virtual Mailboxes
- No pickup option: Everything is scan-only
✅ Perfect For
- Budget-conscious founders (under $500 startup capital)
- Low mail volume (1-2 letters per month)
- Testing the US market before scaling
- Minimal banking/compliance needs
Option 2: Get a Virtual Mailbox (Professional Solution)
This is the industry standard for serious entrepreneurs. A Virtual Mailbox gives you full control over your US mail through a mobile app.
How It Works (Step-by-Step)
Choose Your Address
Pick a premium location: Miami, Manhattan, Los Angeles, Wyoming, Delaware. You get a unique suite number.
Complete Form 1583
Required by US law. Verify your identity via online notary (takes 10 minutes via webcam).
Receive Mail Notifications
Get real-time alerts when mail arrives. The provider scans the envelope and sends you a photo.
Choose Your Action
- Scan: Open and digitize the letter
- Forward: Ship to your home country
- Shred: Destroy junk mail
- Deposit: Remote check deposit (premium)
Key Features You Get
Mobile App
Manage all mail from your phone anywhere in the world
Unlimited Scans
Digitize every letter, save PDFs to the cloud
Global Forwarding
Ship packages to 200+ countries
Check Deposit
Deposit checks directly to your bank
Premium Locations
Miami, NYC, LA for credibility
Unique Suite #
Not shared, looks like a real office
✅ Perfect For
- Opening Mercury, Wise, or Relay bank accounts
- Receiving physical debit cards and checkbooks
- Amazon Seller Central verification
- Stripe and PayPal business accounts
- Professional client communication
- State annual reports and IRS correspondence
USPS Form 1583: The Required Legal Step
Before using a Virtual Mailbox, US federal law requires Form 1583 ("Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent").
What You Need to Provide
📄 Two Forms of ID
- Primary: Passport (most common for non-residents)
- Secondary: Driver's license, national ID, or utility bill
✍️ Notarized Signature
A notary must witness you signing and stamp the form. Online notary available via webcam ($25-50).
Complete Process (15 Minutes)
- Sign up for Virtual Mailbox service
- Upload photos of your passport during onboarding
- Schedule instant webcam notary session
- Show passport to notary via video, sign digitally
- Notary stamps and sends to CMRA automatically
- Your mailbox activates within 24-48 hours
Don't worry: Modern Virtual Mailbox providers walk you through every step with video tutorials. The process is much easier than it sounds.
Best Virtual Mailbox Providers for Non-Residents
These are the top-rated CMRA services trusted by thousands of international LLC owners:
Anytime Mailbox
- ✅ Unlimited mail scanning
- ✅ 2,000+ US addresses to choose from
- ✅ Free Form 1583 online notary
- ✅ Bank-approved (Mercury, Wise, Relay)
- ✅ Cancel anytime (no contracts)
- Miami, FL - $9.99/mo
- New York, NY - $19.99/mo
- Cheyenne, WY - $9.99/mo
iPostal1
- ✅ 10 free scans/month
- ✅ 2,900+ locations (most in USA)
- ✅ Package receiving included
- ✅ Form 1583 notary ($30 one-time)
Earth Class Mail
- ✅ Unlimited scans
- ✅ Check deposit directly to bank
- ✅ QuickBooks/Xero integration
- ✅ Priority 1-hour processing
💚 Our Recommendation
For 90% of non-resident LLC owners, we recommend Anytime Mailbox.
Why?
- Unlimited scans (no surprise fees)
- 2,000+ address choices (find the perfect location)
- Free online notary (saves $50-75)
- Widely accepted by all banks
- Easy 15-minute setup
Which Address to Use Where? (Quick Reference)
Confused about which address to list on each form? Here's your cheat sheet:
| Where You Need It | Use This Address | Why |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Formation Documents | Registered Agent | Required by law |
| IRS Form SS-4 (EIN) | Either One | Both work, Virtual Mailbox is more professional |
| Mercury Bank Application | Virtual Mailbox | Banks require real street address |
| Wise Business Account | Virtual Mailbox | Same as Mercury |
| Stripe Business Profile | Virtual Mailbox | Stripe verifies addresses |
| Amazon Seller Central | Virtual Mailbox | Amazon requires unique suite number |
| PayPal Business | Virtual Mailbox | May send verification postcards |
| State Annual Reports | Registered Agent | This is their primary job |
| Your Website | Either One | Display a professional US address |
💡 Pro Tip: Use Both
Most successful non-resident entrepreneurs use both services:
- Registered Agent ($125/year): For legal compliance and state documents
- Virtual Mailbox ($120-360/year): For banking, mail receiving, and business operations
Total cost: $245-485/year for complete coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Mercury or Wise reject my Virtual Mailbox address?
No. Established Virtual Mailbox providers like Anytime Mailbox and iPostal1 are widely accepted by Mercury, Wise, Relay, and other fintech banks. These CMRA services are compliant with US banking KYC regulations.
Can I use a friend's or family member's US address instead?
Legally yes, but it's not recommended. Your friend would receive all your business mail, banks may require proof of authorization, you have no scanning/forwarding services, and it lacks professionalism. A Virtual Mailbox costs $10-30/month and solves all these issues.
Do I need both a Registered Agent AND a Virtual Mailbox?
Registered Agent is legally required for all LLCs ($125-300/year for legal compliance). A Virtual Mailbox is optional but highly recommended for banking and operations ($120-360/year). Most successful non-residents use both services.
What is USPS Form 1583 and why do I need it?
Form 1583 is required by US federal law to authorize a Virtual Mailbox (CMRA) to receive mail on your behalf. It requires identity verification via notarized signature. Most providers offer online notary services via webcam for $25-50, taking 10-15 minutes.
Can I receive packages at my Virtual Mailbox?
Yes, most Virtual Mailbox services accept packages from FedEx, UPS, and USPS. However, they're designed for documents and small items, not inventory storage. Package receiving typically costs $5-15 per package with size/weight limits.
What happens if I don't pay my Virtual Mailbox bill?
Your service will be suspended after 30 days of non-payment. Mail received during suspension is typically held for 30-60 days, then returned to sender or destroyed. You'll lose access to your address and any pending mail.
Can I change my Virtual Mailbox address later?
Yes, but it requires updating your address with banks, state agencies, IRS, and all business accounts. This process can take weeks and may trigger additional verification. Choose carefully from the start to avoid headaches.
Does my Virtual Mailbox help with Google Business Profile verification?
Not easily. Google Business Profile prefers physical business locations and often flags CMRA addresses. You may need phone verification or additional documentation. Consider using a co-working space address if Google verification is critical for your business.
Get Your US Address Today
Don't let a missing address block your LLC success. Open your bank account, receive mail professionally, and start doing business like a legitimate US company.
Both services set up in 15 minutes. Start today.
Continue Your LLC Setup
Now that you have a US address, complete the next critical steps:
Understand Your Taxes
Learn about Form 5472, tax treaties, and non-resident tax obligations.
Read Tax Guide →LLC Without a Visa?
Worried about immigration? Learn why owning a US LLC is 100% legal without a visa.
Read Legal Guide →