United States Postal Service

The Central Square post office in Cambridge is a United States Postal Service location housed in the Clifton Merriman Post Office Building, a historic post office on Massachusetts Avenue. It handles everyday postal needs, from mailing letters and shipping packages to buying stamps, PO Boxes and money orders. Post offices like this one are staffed by retail associates during window hours, and customers who lack a scale or printer can weigh packages and pay postage at the counter.

Some USPS services require a visit in person, such as identity verification for certain transactions, specialized customs forms and bulk mailings for businesses. Counter staff can also hand-cancel mail free of charge to guarantee a same-day postmark. USPS recommends preparing packages and filling out forms, including passport applications, before arriving to keep visits short. The building is also known as the U.S. Post Office-Central Square, a historic part of the square.

What to Know

• Many post offices keep after-hours lobbies open for PO Box access and self-service kiosks.
• Cash is accepted for postage at the counter.
• The office is listed by the Central Square Business Improvement District.