The CAN-SPAM Act requires a valid physical postal address in every email you send, even if you work from home. You shouldn't have to choose between compliance and privacy. Here's how to meet the legal requirement without broadcasting your home address to your entire list.
We can't provide legal advice on how the CAN-SPAM Act applies to your specific situation as a creator. Every newsletter operation is different. An attorney can give you guidance tailored to your particular circumstances.
To learn more about CAN-SPAM requirements:
These FTC resources explain the Act's requirements, but if you have questions about how it applies to your newsletter, we strongly encourage you to consult with your own legal counsel.
Questions about Kit features or how to implement your physical address? We're here to help with those.
(If these seem complicated or expensive, skip to the bottom):
Rent a P.O. Box. Head down to your local post office and rent a post office box. This will give you an address where you can receive mail, without having to use your home address. Prices vary, but in general a P.O. box will cost you about $100 per year.
Use your work address. If you have a day job with an office, talk to your employer about using the office address. Any mail to the office with your name on it should find its way to your desk!
Ask a friend with a business. If a friend of yours owns a studio, coffee shop, or simply has an office with an address, you can ask them to forward mail to you. Again, the requirement is simply that if a notice with your name on it is sent to the address listed, it gets into your hands.
Head to a UPS Store. UPS Stores offer the convenience of a PO Box setup without the PO Box address. You get their physical street address and a "suite #" that directs the mail for you to the right box. Prices vary depending on the store so call your nearest location for details.
Try your co-working space. Many co-working spaces add a perk that businesses renting from them can use their address as the business address. If you rent from a co-working space already, check with the manager on their policies regarding incoming mail.
Easy solution: Just use our address.
You need a physical address in your emails, it's the law. Now you can use ours for free.
Here's the address:
600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA, 98104-2246
Please note: This address is only for meeting the physical address requirement in your newsletter emails. Kit will not monitor the mailing address on your behalf nor will Kit accept mail or packages for you. In the event mail or packages for you do arrive at the mailing address, they will not be forwarded to you. Please do not use this address if you need to receive mail or packages at a physical mailing address as you must choose one of the five alternatives outlined above.
A few things to know:
This is only available to current Kit users.
You can only use this address for email marketing through Kit.
You agree not to use this address for fraud or any unlawful activity or in any other manner that violates the US CAN-SPAM Act.
One more step: Update this new address anywhere you had your prior address listed outside of Kit (your Kit settings are already updated).
That's it, you're all set.
To change your account's physical address, click your account name at the top right of the navigation, followed by Settings > Email.