How to maintain a US address with mail service

@billcramer2010

Not sure how you can obtain a second US address ID if your US D/L is already expired beyond the time they give you for renewal.

But the nearesy US embassy or consulte will Notarize whatever you need for $50.00.

When I obtained my Japan DL they reported that back to my US state.  I forgot about the consulate.  Thank you!

When I obtained my Japan DL they reported that back to my US state. I forgot about the consulate. Thank you! - @billcramer2010

Wow. I had no idea they do that.

I got my JP D/L with the 外免切替 from my valid US D/L.

But I still have my US D/L which I've even renewed from Japan.

Very useful when I'm back in the US.

@kurobune1852

😯 I thought would be my case as well, but when I tried to renew it, the DMV stated that my DL was removed from the system because I had moved.  I assume that Japan DL service reported this. 

By chance was your US D/L from Maryland, Virginia or Washington? I only ask because these States I believe have their own agreements with Japan regarding D/Ls.

No, MI.

OK thanks. So that's not it. Weird.

Getting back to the originial issue, do you have any relatives who could "rent" you an address, to where you can receive US mail, etc?

That's what I did.

Plus I carry, in addition to my Japanese smart phone, a cheapo one with my US tel number. I found this to be a necessity because so many important sites will use text(SMS) to confirm your identity. And they only send to US numbers. If you have a phone that handles 2 SIMS, I think it's possible to do this with just one phone.

I am using magic jack phone line, but it doesn't always receive texts.  I was just in the US a few weeks ago.  I should have picked up a US sim, but didn't think about it.  Yeah, I can use a relatives address, but am just trying not to burden them with this.  Thanks for the info.

You probably looked into all this, but....

Going back to a Virtual Mailbox, it appears that they all require a Notarized USPS Form 1583, which can be done at any US Consulate in Japan. The Form 1583 requires ONE Primary ID which must be government issued, and notoraized. Some Virtual Mailboxes say they offer assistance with notarization.

I am sure you have your US Passport. A SECONDARY ID need not be government issued, but must have your name and address on it.

-Voter Registration Card.

-Bank statement, paper or digital.

Apparently a signed Lease agreement qualifies.

It must contain:

-Your name

-The address

-Dates of Occupancy or Period.

-Unit or building number if applicable.

If you can get one from a relative or friend who is authorized to rent out. Use a standard lease form used in your State and Just add a termination clause to it. Signed, dated, a copy is fine.

I have also read that Travelingmailbox.com accepts a foreign bill as secondary ID but I would check with them. I'm skeptical but you never know.

Would like to hear what other's are doing to maintain a US address while living abroad. I signed up for Anytime Mailbox, but could not complete the process as they needed a notarized form for the US Postal Service. The postal service requires two forms of identification with one showing a US address. I no longer have a valid US DL because I hold a Japanese one and am not a property owner in the US. I do still maintain a US passport. - @billcramer2010

A lot of people simply ask friends or relatives to forward crucial correspondence using their address. It's worth checking with the postal service because some will take a passport along with a US-based bank or credit card statement. It's a pain, but many foreigners encounter the same problem.