If you are not bound by one place or one address, why should your mail be? Who needs snail mail anyway these days?
Still, when you leave the US you should maintain a US mailing address. This doesn’t mean that you will receive much actual mail there. Most mail can be changed to electronic delivery.
When you need a US mailing address as a nomad
There are only a few instances where electronic mail isn’t cutting it and you need a physical mailing address. Let’s have a look.
The IRS accepts foreign mailing addresses
The IRS is fine with an international mailing address. And they will actually send you correspondence there. But depending on the country, it may take a while to reach you. I have received letters from the IRS after their response due date. Then I spent hours on hold on the phone to straighten things out …
So using your foreign address with the IRS is not practical, if the host country mail system is slow or uses other script than roman letters.
Banks and other financial institutions require a US address
To open and maintain US bank accounts, banks require a US address. There is no way around it. So if you want to keep a US bank account and credit card, you need to keep a US mailing address.
DMV
To renew your driver’s license in most states you need a local residential address.
What US address you can use
Family or friends
Of course you can ask a friend or family member to use their address. There are two things to keep in mind:
- The mail that will be sent to this address is likely more sensitive, like bank statements, IRS notices, jury duty summons, etc. You should feel comfortable with the person receiving it. He or she needs to notify you and possibly open and scan the mail for you.
- If you are moving away from a “sticky” state (more about that here), maintaining a mailing address in that state will not be helpful to support your argument that you cut your ties with that state. It is better to use a mailing address in your new state.
Mail Forwarding Services
Another option for a US mailing address is to use a mail forwarding service. There are many mail forwarding services available that give you a physical address for your mail while you are away.
You can use that address not only for mail but also as your permanent address for banks, insurances, taxes, and driver’s license. Just make sure it is a residential address, not a P.O. box. And it is in the state you want.
A residential address has more advantages. You can also receive mail from carriers like UPS and FedEx. And it looks more professional as a business address than a P.O box.
The fees for those services vary greatly and can range from $10 to $100 per month. Fees mostly depend on the volume of mail you are receiving. To keep down the cost – and the hassle – convert as much correspondence to electronic delivery as you can.
An affordable and highly rated mail service provider is Traveling Mailbox. (Affiliate link. Thank you for supporting Nomad Finance 101!) Their basic plan covers up to 40 incoming envelopes each month starts at $15. Traveling Mailbox offers addresses in 13 states. However, addresses in many states are a premium for an additional $4.95 per month.
