11-07-2020 - Did you moved to to a new house or office? Got a new tenant to rent your apartment? Lost your mailbox key? Want to upgrade or repair your existing mailbox lock?

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Contents

Who is responsible for my mailbox?
I lost my mailbox key! What to do?
Where to duplicate mailbox keys?
Can I install a mailbox by myself?
What types of mailbox should I install?
How to better protect your mail?
How much does it cost to replace mailbox?
How long does it takes to replace a mailbox lock?

Who is responsible for my mailbox?

In general, a compliant and ready to use USPS mailbox considered as a federal property. This way, actions against individuals who steal, tamper or vandalize mailboxes taken by gov. Maintainance for the mailbox however, is done by the property owner or the USPS.

Boxes in a single home units are usually owned by the house owner. Boxes inside a building or an apartment complex usually owned by the apartment management or the residents. When boxes are placed outside, maintainance sometimes fall on the post office.

To make sure that you can replace locks or keys to your mailbox, contact your local post office with your address. They should tell you who's responsibile for your mailbox.

I lost my mailbox key! What to do?

When losing a key there are three options for a replacement:

Lost private mailbox key!

Outdoor mailboxes take a beating from the weather condition and get opened and closed so many times, the locks tend to warned out and keys tend to break or might get lost or vandal. If you lost the key to a private residence mailbox you have 2 options:

If you have a proof of ownership for the lock and the lock ID, you can ask the manufacturer to send you a new key. Contact your mailbox lock manufacturer for more info.
A professional locksmith is licensed to replace mailbox locks and keys.

Lost community mailbox key!

If you are a tenant in an apartment complex, ask your building management or your landlord for assistance. Each property have different rules and sometimes fee to fix the problem.

Lost USPS mailbox key!

When a tenant moves in, the USPS will provide a set of three keys for at no charge. Since the mailbox is a federal property, locksmiths are not allowed to modify them. The USPS doesn't keep any copy of keys. When tenant loses all existing keys, they will have to request lock replacement service from the USPS.

You will have to go to your local USPS office, fill out the new keys replacement form and pay the fee. The USPS will notify you via email when your new key is ready for pick-up. You will need bring a government-issued ID with you and to confirm the compartment number and the location.

Where to duplicate mailbox keys?

Duplicate USPS mailbox key!

It is not legal to duplicate USPS mailbox keys by yourself! A duplicate key can be obtained only at the USPS. Fees for a duplicate key at the USPS is based on local costs, but usually cost between $10-$15.

Duplicate USPS mailbox key!

If your mail-box does not owned by the USPS, you can get a duplicate key in almost any hardware or a locksmith store.

Can I install a mailbox by myself?

In order to receive mail from USPS, your mailbox should comply with the Postmaster General's (PMG) seal of approval. Installer have to consider mounting height and distance from the road or curb as well as other PMG standards. If digging required, most wear proper protective eyewear and gloves and be aware of cable line underground. The steps required to install a mailbox depend on the type of mailbox and the infrastructure for the installation. We recommend not to install a mailbox yourself unless you are experience with such task.

What types of mailbox should I install?

Post mounted box

The most typical type of mailbox is the post mounted mailbox. They are available individually or as sets (mailbox and post) designs and range from very basic to composite depending on your preference.

Most of the mount post boxes are mounted on a common 4×4 inch post laid down by the curb in front of your house. If you are planning on installing the post yourself, be careful and read the set-up instructions. Some novelty or specialty mailboxes may requires an added hardware to complete the installation process.

Wall mailbox

A post mount mailbox is usually requires digging a hole, adding concrete and might be very complex task for an experience contractor. To avoid the hard and expensive work, many posts installed on the outside wall, door or even a gate. Such a mailbox called wall mailbox and do not requires a post, digging or concrete job. In general is way more easy to install for a non professional hands.

Rack mailbox

A rack box unit is a free-standing, pedestal mailbox multiple individual locked mailbox units. Rack sometimes contain integrated 1 or more parcel lockers for packages delivery.

Cluster mailboxes approved by the USPS and are frequent used in community housing from townhouses to large apartment complexes. Clusters are modified to fit any residential or commercial dwelling design.

How to better protect your mail

USPIS inspectors across the USA work hard to protect your mail from malicious activity, but delivering to more than 100 million addresses a cross the nation, the inspection service can't do the job by themselves.

Here's what you can do to secure your mail box from thieves:

Contact a local locksmith and consult for a mailbox which will be suitable to your needs and which will make sure complete security of all your mail.
Put your letters into the slots inside your post office or hand it directly to the USPIS carrier.
Don’t leave your mail in the mailbox overnight. Pick it up immediately after the delivery. If you're expecting credit cards, checks, or other valuable items and you are out-of-town, ask a friend, family or a trusted neighbor to pick it up.
If you don't receive a an expected valuable letter or a package, contact the issuing agency asap.
If you change your address, immediately tell your post office and anyone with whom you do business via the mail. Call a locksmith and ask for rekey or replace mailbox lock service
Don’t ever send cash in the mail.
If you are going out-of-town, ask the post office to hold your mail until you are back.
If you suspect a mail theft, report to a postal inspector.
If you have a neighborhood watch program in your area ask them to watch over mailboxes (in addition to homes).

The USPIS use proven remedies and hires postal inspectors to discuss this problem, develop and devise new security strategies that thwart thieves. If you are missing a mail you can try to track it here.

How much does it cost to replace mailbox?

Service	Price
Mailbox lockout	$50-$80
Mailbox lock change	$100-$180
Mailbox installation	$150-$300
Community Mailbox installation	$500-$3000

Estimates above includes the technician coming out to you the parts and the labor. Final price also depends on the following:

The condition of the mailbox locks.
The type of mailbox.
The type of equipment that the technician need to use.

If there is any change to this price, the tech will let you know before doing anything. After diagnosing the mailbox, the tech will provide a total price for you to approve. Once you approve it, the tech will perform the job, baring any surprises both ways.