When buying a mailbox, many people ask if the mail carrier will need a key to the mailbox. The short answer is no.
Mail carriers do not need a key to your mailbox to deliver mail.
How mail carriers open mailboxes depends on the type of mailbox being used:
Here is How Mailmen Get into Locked Mailboxes:
For residential curbside mailboxes, mail carriers do not need a key to deliver or collect mail. Mail carriers are usually given a master key for apartment or cluster mailboxes. For US Postal Service collection mailboxes, mail carriers do have a key.
Do Mailmen Have Universal Keys To Mailboxes?
In general, there is no universal key that can access all mailboxes. Mailmen do not have universal keys to mailboxes.
Each mailbox is designed to have its own lock and key to keep your mail secure, and mailmen do not need to have a key to do their job. Residential mailboxes are designed to deliver incoming mail without opening the box.
Should I Leave The Key Our For the Mailman?
It would help if you did not leave a key for your mailman, as a thief or vandal might use it. Most residential mailboxes should not be locked at all.
Most USPS-approved curbside mailboxes work in the same basic way. For incoming mail, the mail carrier places the mail through the incoming mail slot.
This mail slot is not locked and is big enough for your mail and small parcels to come through. It is still not large enough for prying hands to reach in and steal your mail.
Once the mail is delivered through the incoming mail slot, it will be protected from potential mail thieves and outdoor conditions. When the homeowner gets back, they can use their key to unlock their mailbox and retrieve their mail and small parcels from the incoming mail receptacle.
For outgoing mail, the homeowner places it in the outgoing mail receptacle. This is a small compartment near the incoming mail slot. Since outgoing mail must be available to the letter carrier for pick up, the door to this compartment is not locked.
The homeowner must then raise the carrier signal flag to inform the mailman that there is outgoing mail for pick up. Since the door to the outgoing mail receptacle is not locked, your outgoing mail is not protected from potential mail thieves.
If you have outgoing mail containing bill payments or your personal information, the USPS advises depositing them in a USPS blue mailbox.
Do Only Apartment Buildings Have Locked Mailboxes?
Apartment buildings have locked mailboxes, but residential house owners can also choose to have locked mailboxes.
For apartment buildings, a cluster or community mailbox is used. The mail carrier is given access to them through a master key so they can collect outgoing mail and deliver incoming mail in the boxes.
You can have a locked mailbox if you live in a residential house. Locked mailboxes are easily available in hardware stores, and most are USPS-approved in size and materials used.
So if you want a locked mailbox for your curbside, you can get one from a hardware store.
When installing it, follow the USPS specifications for mailbox installation. This is to ensure that the mailbox is accessible to the mail carrier, or they can refuse to deliver your mail.
When Would You Have a Locked Mailbox?
A locked mailbox is good to have because this helps keep your incoming mail safe and secure from would-be mail thieves and weather conditions.
In general, you would have a locked mailbox if you lived in an apartment complex, as cluster mailboxes are made to have locking features.
If you live in a residential house, you can opt for a locked mailbox. The US Postal Service does not sell or provide mailboxes.
However, you can purchase one from a hardware store, as most are USPS-approved. Just make sure to follow the guidelines when installing it.
Can You Build a Custom Locked Mailbox for your Home?
Custom mailboxes are nice because they allow you to personalize them based on your style.
You can have a custom mailbox to increase the curbside appeal of your home. You can have a custom mailbox to match your house’s exterior.
You can also build a custom-locked mailbox for your home. It should have the Postmaster General’s (PMG) seal of approval, so make sure it meets USPS size and construction standards.
Before building a custom mailbox, you should go to your local post office and speak to the local postmaster to show them your plans for approval.
When building a custom mailbox, here are some guidelines to follow:
- Place your mailbox at a distance of 41 to 45 inches from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox.
- Place your mailbox 6 to 8 inches back from the curb.
- Make sure to put your house or apartment number on the front or side mailbox with the flag.
- If your mailbox is located on a different street from your house, put your complete street address on the box.
Can Anyone Have a Locked Mailbox?
Anyone can have a locked mailbox. Having one is a good decision to keep your mail safe and prevent it from being stolen.
Having a locked mailbox also helps keep your personal information secure.