Living in an RV or travel trailer comes with the unique challenge of establishing a permanent address, especially when your lifestyle is inherently mobile. One viable solution is using a mail forwarding service, which not only manages your mail but also provides a permanent address you can use as your residence.
Understanding Mail Forwarding Services
Mail forwarding services provide clients with a legal address they can use for receiving mail—especially helpful for full-time RV dwellers. These addresses can also be used for legal and administrative purposes such as renewing licenses, registering vehicles, or voting.
Benefits of Using Mail Forwarding as a Permanent Address
Legal Residency: Some states recognize mail-forwarding addresses for establishing residency, which is crucial for accessing state services, registering to vote, and filing taxes.
Security and Privacy: A mail forwarding service can offer more privacy than using a family member’s address, and your mail is processed at a secure location before being forwarded to you.
Stability: A consistent address helps satisfy requirements from banks, insurers, and government entities that ask for a “permanent” address.
Choosing a Mail Forwarding Service
Location: Pick a state that fits your tax situation and vehicle registration needs, and where residency is practical for you. Popular choices among RVers include South Dakota, Texas, and Florida due to tax benefits and relatively relaxed residency rules.
Service Offerings: Confirm the provider can handle your needs—mail scanning, package forwarding, and optional services like check depositing.
Cost: Compare plans and fees, and note whether you get a dedicated mailbox or a shared one.
Reliability: Look for positive reviews emphasizing on-time delivery, accurate handling, and responsive customer support.
How It Works
Sign Up and Receive an Address: Register and obtain a legal street address for mail and official purposes.
Forwarding Options: Choose where to forward mail, and opt into digital scanning for quick access to important documents.
Service Management: Use the provider’s online dashboard to decide what’s forwarded physically and what’s handled electronically.
By effectively managing mail through a forwarding service, RV dwellers gain the benefits of a permanent address—often essential for maintaining the stability required by legal and administrative systems.