Many entrepreneurs delegate services to experts as it helps them focus on what matters most in their operations. For example, people often hire professional registered agents as they are well-versed in compliance requirements and can help businesses maintain good standing with the state. Along the same lines, it has become the norm for businesses to rent virtual addresses in their quest to establish their credibility. But are virtual addresses legal? We explain what these services offer and if they are acceptable per state laws.
What is a Virtual Address?
Businesses must have open communication channels that allow them to receive correspondence from third parties, e.g., clients, investors, courts, and the authorities. To open this channel, businesses register addresses to receive their mail. One option is to do this through a P.O. Box, but this comes with the downside of commuting to the post office to check your mail. Additionally, this might not work if you are not physically in the region where your business has been registered. The other option is to use your actual home or office address. While this is convenient, it exposes you to security and privacy concerns.
Getting a virtual address is the third option that many businesspeople prefer. It is a service that allows you to rent a premier location where you can receive your mail. For example, if your business is registered in Chicago, you can rent a virtual address in the city where people can send mail. You can also use this address in your business records, thus establishing your presence in the city.
A virtual mailbox does more than just receive your mail. Instead, it also helps you keep your mail organized by sorting it by categories such as forwarding, scanning, shredding, and storage. You can access the scanned copies of your mail online and review scanned mail exteriors through your online account.
As such, this service not only helps you receive mail no matter where you are, but it also boosts your business image.
Are Virtual Addresses Legal?
There are many reasons businesses choose to use virtual addresses, including remote mail management, increased privacy, and professionalism. But are virtual business addresses legal?
The answer depends on the factors below:
- Location: In most countries, like the US, renting a virtual business address is legal, and you can rely on this location for business registration and mail management. But in some countries, this may not be legal.
- Compliance: For a virtual mailbox to operate within the confines of the law, it must be fully registered per the state laws and should comply with mail handling regulations, e.g., the USPS policies.
Passportology, which offers mailbox services across different states, is fully registered and complies with all USPS and state regulations to ensure your mail gets handled securely.
So, are virtual addresses legal? Any mailbox provider that complies with state laws does so legally, and you can trust them with your mail management needs while enjoying the perks of a premier street address for your business image.