Mailboxes

There is no such legal requirement. Mailboxes do NOT have to have customer names, despite what the postmaster is telling you. Here are the requirements, according to the Domestic Mail Manual:

3.2.7 Address Identification
Every curbside mailbox must bear the following address information:

a. A box number, if used, inscribed in contrasting color in neat letters and numerals at least 1 inch high on the side of the box visible to the carrier's regular approach, or on the door if boxes are grouped.

b. A house number if street names and house numbers have been assigned by local authorities, and the postmaster authorizes their use as a postal address. If the box is on a different street from the customer's residence, the street name and house number must be inscribed on the box.

3.2.8 Owner's Name
The mailbox may bear the owner's name.

Whether or not to put addressee names on the receptacle is an individual choice for the addressees. Postal Service policy is to deliver the mail AS ADDRESSED, meaning that mail goes to a physical address not to a particular person -- unless it is signature mail such as certified, registered, etc. Your postmaster is completely wrong about the requirement. Have him/her refer to their own internal bible, the Domestic Mail Manual. If the postmaster stands behind the requirement, go up the chain of command.

Doug,

What difference does it make how many names are put on the mailbox? Why not tell the residents to put their names on their mailbox or they may not get their mail. Put the ball in their court, that way if the names change they will be resp. not you.

If your mailboxes are in a condo and everyone has the same address then that is the reason for needing the names on the individual mailboxes. However, if the mailboxes are located outside each members' unit/home and each unit/home has a different address then only the address should be required on the mailbox. In my s/d we have a mailbox unit and everyone has their own address and we are not required to put out names on the outside of our mailbox. However I know the mailman has our names on the inside of the mailbox for only him to see.

I agree with Tim, if its not required (and I don't think individual post offices can make their own rules) I would not put the names on the boxes. I'm not sure why the post office would want it, are they not going to deliver mail because it doesn't match the name? It's not that unusual to have people with two ot three different last names living in the same house or condo.

I think it's a bad idea for security reasons, which is probably why it is not required, but if you are going to do it, and you own the mailboxes, you could tell owners to pick one name.

Haha. Thanks, I didn't see that.

Old thread reactivated for the purpose of posting spam.