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How to Write an Address: A Complete Guide

Hannah Yang

Whenever you mail a letter, you need to write the address correctly. If you format the address incorrectly, your mail might get delivered to the wrong destination.

That’s just one situation in which you’ll need to know how to write an address. You may also need to write your address in the header of a resume, to fill out legal forms, and countless other situations.

If you’re trying to write an address, you’ve come to the right place. This article will give you a complete guide to formatting an address and provide examples of common address formats.

What Is an Address?

What are the address formats for mailing a letter, what are the address formats for specific types of addresses, should you use abbreviations in an address, address examples, conclusion on how to write an address.

An address consists of all the information that a mail carrier needs to identify a location.

Addresses contain some or all of the following pieces of information:

• The recipient’s name
• The organization’s name, if necessary
• Building number
• Street name
• Suite number, apartment number, or P.O. box number, if necessary
• City, town, or village
• State or territory
• Postal code

It’s important to include all the information that the post office needs to identify the correct location, without including any extraneous information. If you add any extraneous lines or words, it will be harder for others to figure out what the actual address is.

When you mail a letter in the US, you’ll need to include both the recipient’s address and the sender’s address. Let’s look at how to format each one.

Mailing Address Format

Whenever you mail a letter, you need to put the recipient’s address at the center of the envelope. This is where the postal courier will look to figure out where to deliver the letter to.

If you’re writing to a recipient in the US, you should include the following pieces of information, in this order:

• The recipient’s name on the first line. You can choose whether or not to include a title, such as Ms. or Dr.
• The recipient’s building number and street name. Also include a suite number, apartment number, or P.O. box number on the second line, if necessary
• The recipient's city, state, and postal code on the final line

The address should consist of three lines of text, one for each of the bullet points above.

You only need to include a suite or apartment number if you live in a building where multiple individuals or families share the same building number. That way, couriers can figure out which specific apartment to deliver the mail to.

When you write the postal code, you can write out either the five-digit ZIP code (e.g. 98052), or the five-digit ZIP code with the area-specific four-digit suffix (e.g. 98052-1134). Including your full postal code will help couriers deliver your package more quickly.

Return Address Format

The term “return address” refers to the address of the person sending a letter or package. The reason you need to include your own address on any letter or package you send is so the postal service knows where to return the mail if they’re unable to deliver it. You should place your return address on the upper left corner of the envelope.

If you live in the US, you should include the following pieces of information, in this order:

• Your name on the first line. You can choose whether or not to include a title, such as Ms. or Dr.
• Your building number and street name. Also include a suite number, apartment number, or P.O. box number on the second line, if necessary
• Your city, state, and postal code on the final line

Just like with the mailing address, the return address should be three lines of text, one for each of the bullet points above.

The guidelines to follow when writing an address often depends on the specific type of letter you’re writing. For example, if you’re sending an international letter to a country outside of the US, you may need to format your address differently.

Let’s look at some of these specific guidelines.

Business Address Format

When you’re sending mail to a business address, you may need to include some additional information that you wouldn’t include for a personal letter.

That’s because the courier may need to know the company name, as well as the name of the specific person within the company you’re writing to.

Here’s the information you need to include in a business address:

• The recipient’s name. You can precede this name with the word Attention or ATTN, followed by a colon. You can choose whether you want to include any relevant professional titles, such as Ph.D. or Esq.
• The name of the recipient’s company or organization
• The company’s building number and street name
• The company’s floor or suite number, if necessary
• The company’s city, state, and postal code

International Address Format

If you’re mailing a letter outside of the US, you’ll need to adhere to the format of the country you’re sending the letter to. That way, the postal service within that country will know where to go.

In general, these are the pieces of information you should include in an international address:

• The name of the recipient’s house, if their home has a specific name
• The recipient’s building number and street name, if their house does not have a specific name
• The recipient’s city, town, or village
• The recipient’s county
• The recipient’s postal code
• The recipient’s district, if necessary
• The recipient’s country

To be safe, you should always double-check the address format of the specific country you’re mailing to.

When you write your return address on international mail, you should format it the same way you usually would. In addition, you should include your own country at the bottom of the return address.

Resume Address Format

When you write a professional resume, you should include your address at the top of your resume. You can either include it in your header or add it in the top left corner.

The good news is that you should use the same format for writing an address in a resume that you would use for writing a letter. Include all the same information you would use for a return address.

One-Line Address Format

Sometimes, you may need to write an entire address in a single line of text.

In this case, you should include all the same information that you would include in a multi-line address. The only difference is that you’ll need to replace each line break with a comma when you write an address on one line.

Make sure to include a comma after each of these elements:

• The person’s name
• The street address
• The apartment number or suite

It’s perfectly acceptable to use abbreviations when writing an address—in fact, it’s often expected.

Here are some common abbreviations you should know:

• Apartment: Apt
• Boulevard: Blvd
• Parkway: Pkwy

You should also abbreviate all the US states with a two-letter code. For example, you would write CA for California or DE for Delaware.

To help you understand what a correctly formatted address should look like, we’ve included some examples you can refer to.

US Address Examples

Here’s an example of a domestic residential address in the US:

John Smith 5480 7th Ave San Francisco, CA 94112

Here’s an example of a US address with an apartment number:

Ms. Mary Green 2211 Edgewood St, Apt 2 Boston, MA 02124-1331

One-Line Address Examples

Here’s how you would write each of the above addresses on a single line:

John Smith, 5480 7th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112 Ms. Mary Green, 2211 Edgewood St, Apt 2, Boston, MA, 02124-1331

Professional Address Examples

If you’re writing a business letter, don’t forget to include the organization’s name. Here’s an example:

Attn: Rachel Long, CEO The Greatest Writers’ Organization 780 English Avenue, Floor 8 Seattle, WA 90199

International Address Examples

Here’s an example of an address in Canada:

Jacob White 423 Second Street NE Montreal, QC H3Z 2Y7 Canada

(In this case, Montreal is the city, QC is the province, and H3Z 2Y7 is the postal code.)

Here’s an example of an address in Great Britain:

Harry Brown 87 Blackstone Street London EC1Y 8SY England

(In this case, London is the city, and EC17 8SY is the postal code.)

There you have it—a complete guide to writing an address correctly! Here’s a quick recap:

• An address should include everything a mail carrier needs to identify the recipient’s location
• It’s expected that you’ll use standard abbreviations, such as St for Street
• The guidelines may be different for international addresses, so always double-check each country’s guidelines

Lastly, make sure you write your address in clear and legible handwriting, so your mail can be delivered efficiently.

Be confident about grammar

Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.

Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.

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USPS Address Format

January 20, 2023

Do you need help with the USPS address format? Knowing how to format the address properly is a must if you want your package delivered without a problem. Errors with the address format can cause confusion and delays.

This article serves as a guide on address formatting when sending a package via USPS. The article also discusses the standardized delivery address line and last line. 

Correctly addressing your mail is one of the most important and final steps before you take it to the post office. Read on as we tackle how to write addresses in USPS packages or mail.

If you are looking for a local post office to send your mail, visit FindPostOffice.org . We provide information on all 31,330 post offices in the United States.

Introduction: Addressing Your Mail

A well-written address can help your mail arrive more quickly and efficiently.

What Is USPS Address Standardization?

A standardized address includes all required address elements and uses the Postal Service’s abbreviations or extracted from the current ZIP+4 file. Address standardization is performed through address normalization using validation software. 

It is essential to note that address standardization does not guarantee the validity of addresses. Address standardization is the first step in validating an address by correcting its format.

Once standardized, an address will contain all the necessary information in its proper order. All the address components will be spelled correctly according to USPS guidelines.

Street names may be abbreviated in the approved United States Postal Service (USPS) or applicable international address format. After normalization, the address can be validated.

A standardized address is validated by comparing it against an authoritative database of known addresses to see if they match.

If the address is found in the database, it is valid. Address validation, as the name implies, is the process of validating an address.

What Is CASS Address Standardization?

CASS stands for the Coding Accuracy Support System, which standardizes address data. The USPS developed this certification program for standardization and address verification.

Address validation or verification, also known as address lookup, compares addresses with an authoritative database to verify their accuracy.

A CASS-certified software can help your business standardize mailing lists, update outdated addresses, and verify that addresses are complete and valid.

Address standardization is similar to CASS but with some key differences. 

Address standardization ensures that an address follows USPS guidelines. CASS certification guarantees that a particular service has standardized addresses according to USPS guidelines.

Standardized Delivery Address Line and Last Line

The delivery address line and the last line of the addresses should be standardized and complete. The ZIP+4 file validates the delivery address line, while the City State file validates the last line.

A complete address contains all necessary elements to match current ZIP+4 and City State files. Mail requiring a complete address will be sent at automation rates.

A standardized address must include all the required elements and use standard abbreviations of the United States Postal Service.

General Principles: How Do I Write My Address With USPS?

To ensure that your mailpieces are delivered to the correct locations, include these elements in every delivery address:

• Name or attention line
• Delivery address
• City, state, ZIP code

The destination address is the first thing an automated mail processing machine reads from a mail. Then, the machine searches for the delivery address.

If the machine cannot find either address, your mailpiece could be delayed or misrouted.

Note that any information below the delivery address line, such as a logo or slogan, could confuse machines and misdirect your mail.

Here are some guidelines you can follow:

• Always place the address and stamp on the same side of a letter or package.
• Addresses on letters should parallel the envelope’s longest side.
• Print in capital letters.
• Do not use any punctuation.
• Use simple or common types of fonts (left side justified).
• Use a text size of 10 points.
• Place a space between the city and the state.
• Place two spaces between the state and ZIP code.
• Use black ink on white or light-colored paper.
• Avoid white printing on a black background.
• Leave at least ⅛ inch of space around the address.

Sometimes parts of an address on a mail can be obscured. Covered addresses are due to the design of a parcel or the way it is placed in a private mailbox.

• Make sure you get all the important information when printing labels.

To ensure that your labels are read correctly by mail processing machines, apply them straight onto the envelope.

Order of Presentation

In the U.S., addresses are written in minor-to-major order. A person’s name (the smallest or most specific item) is usually at the top. The country name (the largest or most general item) is at the bottom.

This order is used for all addresses but may differ in other countries like Iran and Russia.

Country Name

We usually leave out the country name when sending domestic mail in the U.S. The country name is written at the end of each listing in all capital letters for all other countries.

Postal sorting machines in the USA and many other countries sort by country name. The country name list should be well-known and standardized for each country.

International mail from the USA to any destination can be sorted and separated at a single location in that country. When sending mail from the US to another nation, we can format addresses as required by that foreign country.

The cost of postage for letters depends mainly on weight and size. You can weigh your letter at home using a kitchen scale, travel to a post office for a postal scale, or use the self-service kiosk.

You can mail one ounce of items for $0.60 using a Forever stamp, the current cost of mailing First-Class Mail parcels over one ounce. The postage for a flat envelope weighing one ounce starts at $1.20. 

The rates given are as of December 2022. You can check https://www.usps.com/ship/letters.htm for updates on rates.

Suppose you use Priority or Priority Express mail to send a large envelope. You can print your postage and pay for it online with the Click-N-Ship service.

You can also purchase additional ounce stamps if your parcel weighs more than one ounce.

Write the Sender’s Address and Delivery Address

When sending mail, write your address in the envelope’s upper left corner and your delivery address in the bottom center. 

Postcards have different formats, where you must write the delivery address in the provided space.

When you write your home address (“return” address), include these on separate lines:

• Your complete name or company name
• Your suite, apartment, or house number
• Your complete street address 
• Your city, state, and ZIP+4 code

When you write your delivery address (“recipient” address), include these on separate lines:

• Recipient’s complete name or company name
• Their suite or apartment number
• Their complete street address (Some addresses have numeric street numbers, so ensure to print that out.)
• Their city, state, and ZIP+4 code

Street Address

You can only use one address at a time, either your street address or post office box, but not both.

When an address includes a direction, such as NW for Northwest, be careful to include all of the main streets, as there may be more than one.

Apartment or Suite Number

The correct apartment or suite number ensures that a package is delivered to the proper location.

City, State, and Zip Code

It is essential to visit www.usps.com or call 1-800-ASK-USPS to ensure that you spell the city name correctly or get the correct ZIP code. Using the correct ZIP code helps to efficiently and accurately route your mail.

Special U.S. Addresses

Some U.S. addresses follow other formats, and here are some of them.

Military Mail

The delivery address line for all military mail sent to APO/FPO addresses must include the appropriate type of address and PO box number. 

APO (Army Post Office) is used when referring to Army or Air Force installations. FPO (Fleet Post Office) is used with Navy installations. DPO is short for Diplomatic Post Office.

For APO/FPO inquiries, go to [email protected] . For DPO inquiries, visit [email protected] . 

Many countries have specific mailing address regulations connected to their diplomatic and military addresses:

• When mailing something to an APO, FPO, or DPO address in another country, do not include the base camp city or country name. Including the city or country name keeps your mail out of foreign mail networks, so the post office cannot forward it to other countries.
• Include the unit and box numbers if the recipient is assigned.

SEARGENT JOHN DOE

UNIT 1010100 BOX 3433

DPO AA 1111

Puerto Rico

Some Puerto Rico addresses include a second line with an urbanization or community code. Addresses use an urbanization code abbreviated to URB, usually written on four lines:

MR. CARLITO GOMEZ

URB PLUMB BRANCH

320 STR LAJAS

ANGELES PR 00835-4343

U.S. Virgin Islands

The format of addresses in the Virgin Islands is similar to that used by other U.S. states and territories. The correct abbreviation for this territory is “VI.”

MRS. JANE DOE

RR 2 BOX 3329

SUNNY HILL VI 00961-8913

The U.S. postal service has guidelines for addressing letters. How people handle, their email has changed dramatically over the past 20 to 30 years. Humans have been replaced by computers or Optical Character Readers (OCRs).

It is crucial to check the format and block location of your address on an envelope before mailing it so that you know it will arrive at its destination.

Online Shipping Labels

Using the Click-N-Ship service, you can buy and print Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail postage online. The US Postal Service offers free tracking for Priority Mail shipments within the United States.

For Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International, and First-Class Package International Service, the Click-N-Ship website can purchase international labels with postage. You can arrange a pickup online if you want to pick up the package.

Addressing a Package

On a package, write the address parallel to its longest edge and along the largest side. When you ship to an address, be sure it is written in the following format:

• The recipient’s name
• The recipient’s business’ name
• The delivery or street address, including the apartment or suite number
• Designated city, state, and ZIP code
• Country of origin

The return and delivery address must be written on the same side of the envelope. Ensure your address is written parallel to the longest side of the envelope.

Be sure to type or print clearly, so the address is easy to read from a distance, and remember not to use periods or commas.

Address Format Tips

Here are some tips you can apply when addressing your envelope or letter.

• Make sure you print the addresses neatly in capital letters, preferably with a permanent marker.
• Use no commas or periods, and always include the ZIP+4 code.
• Ensure an inch of space is at the bottom right corner for barcode placement.
• The rural route base record must be used when missing box number information.

What Is an Example of a Postal Address?

[STREET ADDRESS]

[CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE]

MR JOHN DOE

123 MAIN ST HILLS

HUMPHREY TX 34687

How Do You Standardize (or Normalize) Address Records?

Address standardization, also known as address normalization, is an easy process for most addresses. Address standardization and address normalization are two terms that describe the same process. 

There are two main ways to standardize addresses. You can use the software or do it manually.

1. Address Standardization Software

Address normalization software will make standardizing addresses easier whether your business has to deal with one address or millions. The software will automatically correct any address with a wrong format. 

Manually processing this many addresses could take you several days. Fortunately, many address data verification software tools are available at no cost.

2. Manually or DIY

You can also standardize addresses on your own. Here are tips for addressing a letter or package mailed in the US.

• Get the address you would like to standardize.
• Check all spelling of city and street names. Confirm that all address information for the recipient is correct.
• Correct any incorrectly spelled words. According to the postal service, there is only one correct version of each abbreviation.

Abbreviations

In the address, the suffix should conform to standard abbreviations listed in the ZIP+4 file. You can look up an online list of street or state abbreviations online.

Priority Mail Express

You must use a USPS-produced address label to get your Priority Mail Express package delivered by the post office.

Extra Services

Place labels for extra services above the recipient’s address, to the right of your return address, or on the left side of the postage.

When Sending International Mail

The country line must be clear enough for the post office to read. You should use the English name of the country instead of its local name.

The city line must conform to the format required by postal authorities in the destination country. Refrain from translating the more specific elements of this address.

Never put a person’s name or other notations below the city or country line because this can interfere with the sorting mechanism and slow delivery.

 Do not refer to other countries’ postal codes as ZIP codes. Also, do not refer to other countries’ administrative subdivisions as states. 

What About Casing and Capitalization?

Uppercase text is not required to standardize addresses with the US Postal Service. The text should be printed clearly and meet the postal addressing standards. However, uppercase lettering in an address format is still valid.

Upper and Lower Case

U.S., Canadian and British postal authorities recommend writing the city line of a letter in all uppercase. In the UK, capital letters are used for the city line and postcode.

The remainder of an address can be in mixed case or uppercase, depending on its context within that line.

Punctuation

The rules governing punctuation in city lines vary from country to country. The only punctuation required by the delivery address block is a hyphen in the ZIP+4 Code.

Do you need help standardizing a USPS address for an international parcel or package? Visit FindPostOffice.org and inquire at your local post office.

References:

• 2 Postal Addressing Standards https://pe.usps.com/text/pub28/28c2_001.htm
• Delivery Address https://pe.usps.com/businessmail101?ViewName=DeliveryAddress
• How to send a letter or postcard domestically https://www.usps.com/ship/letters.htm
• Addressing your mail https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm100/addressing-mail.htm
• Postal Addressing Standard https://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub28/pub28.pdf

How to Write a Mailing Address - Format + Examples

How to write a mailing address is determined by the mailing address format of your country, the destination country, and the type of address you're sending to. We’ll cover the steps to write several types of addresses including standard mailing addresses, apartments, PO Boxes, APOs, and FPOs.

A Mailing Address Format is a set of spelling, abbreviation, and formatting guidelines, created and maintained by a country's postal authority for use within local mail delivery systems. The official postal address format in the US is run by the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Formatting an address correctly on your envelope, postcard, or parcel is essential for accurate delivery. Equally important, is verifying the mailing address is complete, valid, and deliverable by the local postal service.

We've included useful tools to correct, verify, and standardize your addresses to authoritative formatting guidelines in the US and for 240+ countries worldwide.

Try them now, or continue reading to learn more about how to write a mailing address, address formats and see address formatting examples for different address types.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• How to Write a Street Address

How to Write an Apartment Address

How to write a postcard address.

• How to Write a PO Box Address

How to Write a Military Address

How to write a return address.

• Where to Put a Stamp on Letter
• USPS International Address Example

USPS Address Format Checker

How to write a street address.

An airplane that begins its journey even one degree off can end up miles and miles away from where it is supposed to be. The same can be said about an address that has a single component in the wrong place, omitted, or simply incorrect.

What things are most important when trying to ensure that your letter, package, or postcard gets to where it needs to go? What if you’re trying to send to a military address? What about new addresses, or urban addresses? What if you’re sending something overseas to an international address? We’re going to go over several postal address examples to answer these questions.

If you’re looking for details on how to correctly abbreviate street names such as “street”, “avenue”, “parkway”, etc. we’ll go over that information as well.

As a child I remember asking my parents why I never got any mail. “You have to send mail to get mail.” my father would say. So it was at a young age that I first wrote my grandmother's street address on an envelope. It wasn’t until years later that I began to wonder what the components of an address were, and how the formatting mattered.

If you need to write a mailing addresses for a domestic address, or a letter from a United States address to another United States address, it’s quite simple:

Where should this information go on the envelope? Smack dab in the center. Here’s an example of a simple letter in an envelope being sent domestically.

If you're not sure of some of the components of the recipient's address you can get that via an address validation tool like the one that you can use for free at Smarty. It is important to get the City, State, and ZIP Code as accurate as possible because the USPS automated mail sorters process addresses from the bottom up. Mixing up a Zip Code is that single degree that could get your letter sent to the wrong side of the country, or returned to you.

Things get a little bit more complicated when you add an apartment number or building to the mix. While most of the address stays the same, you’ll now add the apartment number at the end of the street line. So your address would now look like this:

The same rules apply for suites, floors, or building numbers. This is especially important to include—and do so correctly—because if you send a letter to your cousin Cynthia at her apartment building, how is the postman supposed to know which of the 500 units to deliver the letter to? Or what if you are trying to get those accident reports to the correct insurance company in the skyscraper on Broadway in New York, but you don’t have the floor number? Here’s how you’d do it correctly.

Notice the abbreviation for “floor” is FL. Likewise the abbreviation for Apartment is Apt. and for Suite it is Ste. If you are curious about the correct abbreviation for states, apartments, or anything address related, you can get it in an address validation tool like the one that you can use for free at Smarty.

Ah yes, the postcard. The cheapest souvenir one can send from their favorite photogenic landmark. What little tricks are necessary for these bad boys to be sent to the correct address? What are the tricky secrets one should know when sending this to their grandma?

The rules for a postcard are the same as a regular address. Just make sure you write it on the cute little lines beneath the postage stamp.

How To Write a PO Box Address

In areas where there may not be door to door delivery services you can often gain access to a PO Box or Post Office Box. You may also use a PO Box as a business for more secure delivery of mail. Typically, these are rented from the Post Office directly with a selection of size options.

There are a few tricks to sending to a PO Box as they don’t require all of the same components as a regular street address. Here’s the example:

To be clear, you do actually write the words “PO Box” on the envelope, followed by the PO Box number. For example: PO Box 123456.

It is important to make sure you have the correct Zip Code when sending to a PO Box. Other than the PO Box number, the only identifier for where this letter should go is the city, state, and ZIP. Large cities may have more than one Post Office and you want to make sure it is as simple as possible for the automatic sorting machines. If you’re not sure about the Zip Code on your address (PO Box or not) you can run it through an address validation tool to see what to put.

The Armed Forces have their own military address format to ensure soldiers are able to receive their mail as they are moved around the world. They do this by the use of various Post Office types; Air/Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO), and Diplomatic Post Office (DPO).

Since each of the military addresses is handled by its dedicated postal channel there is no need to state the city or state when sending mail to this type of address. Instead you would list the Post Office abbreviation such as APO, and the acronym that indicates the recipient’s duty station. Here’s an example:

You’ll notice there is a ZIP+4 at the end of that address. It is very important to include the 9-digit zip+4 when sending to military addresses.

While it’s not required to have a return address on your outbound mail, it is still a good idea to include it. If for any reason your letter is unable to be delivered, the postal service can return it to you if they have this return address. If there isn’t one… It ends up in the trash.

A return address should be the same as a standard postal address, but with your information on it. For example:

The location of a return address is typically in the top left corner of the envelope. It is of value to note that you can include a return address on postcards as well, not just envelopes or percels. For a postcard you would either put it in the very top left corner of the card, or in the top left corner of the right half of the card.

A name is not required on the return address, but it may be useful if you are sending from a business or from a place where you are not the only person at the address.

Where to Put a Stamp On a Letter

In the top right hand corner.

This is a general rule of course. Whenever you’re dealing with standardized and machine-automated systems there are a few additional rules to consider.

If mailing to Japan for instance, you’ll want to check to see if your envelope is vertically oriented, or horizontal oriented. In a standard horizontal orientation the stamp goes in the top right hand corner. On a vertically oriented letter you’d place it in the top left corner.

In the US your first stamp goes in the top right hand corner, but if you need additional postage you can place the stamps next to the first one, growing out from the top right hand corner. Don’t forget to leave the bottom inch or so of your envelope bare so that the automated mail processors can print barcodes in that area.

USPS International Address Example & Format

There’s a trick to sending international mail . The problem is the differences in language, ordering of address components, and other local requirements. The solution is to ensure you’re utilizing the latin character set using a process called transliteration . The reasoning is simple: universal understanding to increase the likelihood of correct delivery.

Where a US address would have no more than three lines (name, street address, region) international addresses are more likely to have five lines. For example if you are sending a letter from the United States to England it might look like this:

As far as placement goes, addresses sent internationally should have some space on all sides for additional information placed there by the Post Office. Much like the United States, many country’s postal services use machines to process mail and will print barcodes on the envelopes in the empty space around the address.

As discussed earlier it is extremely important to ensure that your address has been validated, verified, and standardized before you stick on a parcel and ship it. With international mail becoming easier to send and more important for global businesses, you need an address checker that you can trust.

Smarty’s USPS Address Format Checker is the fastest and most reliable address validation tool on the planet. With the ability to run millions of addresses through at a time you can clean up your database with the snap of your fingers. You can also set up the Smarty Address Autocomplete API to check the addresses when they are input into your system. You can try it for free today!

Publication 28 - Postal Addressing Standards

• 111 Purpose
• 113 Additional Benefits
• 121 List Maintenance
• 122 List Correction
• 123 Updates
• 124 Address Output
• 125 Deliverability
• 211 Standardized Delivery Address Line and Last Line
• 213 Secondary Address Unit Designators
• 214 Attention Line
• 215 Dual Addresses
• 221 City Names
• 222 Punctuation
• 223 Spelling of City Names
• 225 Military Addresses
• 226 Preprinted Delivery Point Barcodes
• 231 Components
• 232 Street Name
• 233 Directionals
• 234 Suffixes
• 235 Numeric Street Names
• 236 Corner Addresses
• 237 Highways
• 238 Military Addresses
• 239 Department of State Addresses
• 242 Leading Zero
• 243 Hyphens
• 244 Designations RFD and RD
• 245 Additional Designations
• 252 Leading Zero
• 253 Star Route Designations
• 254 Additional Designations
• 262 ZIP Code or ZIP+4
• 272 ZIP Code or ZIP+4
• 282 Leading Zero
• 283 Designations
• 284 PO Box Street Addressing

285 Private Mailbox Addresses

• 292 Urbanization
• 293 Common Translations
• 294 Spanish Directionals
• 295 Delivery Address Line
• 311 Joint Industry and Postal Service Standardization Efforts
• 312 Unique Addressing Issues
• 313 Business Address Standardization Factors
• 314 Purpose of Standardization
• 321 Benefits
• 322 Business-to-Business List Maintenance
• 323 Business-to-Business List Correction
• 324 Business-to-Business List Updates
• 325 Business-to-Business Address Output
• 326 Business-to-Business Deliverability
• 33 Defining Business-to-Business Data Elements
• 341 Sample Business Address Format
• 342 Primary Considerations
• 343 Address Line Removal
• 351 Removal and Deletion Restrictions
• 352 Abbreviations
• 353 Right-to-Left Evaluation
• 354 Special Characters
• 355 Remove Certain Words
• 356 Wrapping
• 357 Line #9 Compression
• 358 Standard State Name Abbreviations
• 359 Other Considerations
• A1 Readability
• A2 Address Types
• A31 General Requirements
• A32 Canada Only
• C1 Street Suffix Abbreviations
• C2 Secondary Unit Designators
• D1 Hyphenated Address Ranges
• D2 Grid Style Addresses
• D3 Alphanumeric Combinations of Address Ranges
• D4 Fractional Addresses
• D5 Spanish and Other Foreign Words
• E11 Determining Address Ranges
• E12 Alphanumeric Ranges
• E13 Fractional Addresses
• I11 Complete Address
• I12 Standardized Address
• I21 Residential Addresses
• I22 Apartment Buildings and Condominiums
• I3 Descriptive Spanish Words
• I4 Directionals
• I51 Components
• J1 Address Formats
• J2 Physical Addresses
• J3 Post Office Box Addresses

Private companies offering mailbox rental services to individuals and businesses are considered commercial mail receiving agencies (CMRA). Addresses on mail received at a CMRA must adhere to specific requirements in the use of their private mailbox number (PMB). Mail sent to an addressee at a CMRA must include either the PMB identifier or the #, followed by the appropriate private mailbox number. Use of any other identifier is prohibited. Either a three line or four line address format can be used with a CMRA address and the PMB or # identifier, with the exception noted below. Where the CMRA‘s physical address requires its own secondary address element, the PMB or # address must follow the specific format rules stated below. It is not permissible to combine the secondary address element of the mailing address for the CMRA and the CMRA customer‘s private box number.

When the CMRA mailing address contains a secondary address element (e.g., rural route box number, suite, # or other term), the CMRA customer must use PMB when utilizing a three line address format:

Private companies may uniquely identify, by number, individuals or offices within their company for the purpose of simplifying their internal mail distribution. Print this number, called a MailStop Code (MSC), above the Recipient Line or the Attention Line. The words POST OFFICE BOX or PO BOX and the private mailbox number cannot be used on the Delivery Address Line. Only the Postal Service is entitled to provide delivery to a PO Box.

The Delivery Address Line is the standardized address of the private company.

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Secure Your Mail at a Post Office

Keep your personal or small business mail safe with a Post Office Box ™ (PO Box ™ ), a locked mailbox within a Post Office ™ facility. You can rent a PO Box in a few steps:

• Apply online: Find, reserve, and pay for a box at a Post Office near you.
• Pick up your keys in person: Take your completed application and 2 forms of ID to the Post Office (where your box is) to get your keys.
• Get mail at your convenience: Flexible hours allow you to check your PO Box on your schedule.

Learn more about PO Box sizes, payment options, and benefits, then apply easily online. Already have a PO Box? Manage Your PO Box

Find a PO Box Near You

Why rent a po box.

Know your packages and mail are safe at the Post Office and can only be picked up by you or people you specify.

Keep your home address private and important documents confidential for peace of mind.

Flexibility

Get your mail on your schedule, your way, with a range of PO Box sizes and rental terms of 3-, 6-, and 12-months.

PO Box Size Options

Most Post Offices have 5 PO Box sizes, depending on availability*. Sizes range from extra small (XS – Size 1) to extra large (XL – Size 5). Choose your PO Box size based on the type of mail (letter-sized mail or packages) and how much mail and packages you receive.

Larger Packages for PO Boxes

If you get packages that don't fit into your PO Box, you'll either:

• Get a slip to pick them up from the counter during normal business hours
• Get your package from a secure parcel locker (including USPS ® Smart Lockers at select locations) at your convenience

*Note: The depth of most PO Boxes is 14.75". All sizes not available in all locations. Prices differ depending on your location.

XS - Size 1

Holds 10-15 letters and 3 rolled magazines.

Size: 3" X 5.5"

Starting Price: $4.83/mo*

See Details (XS - Size 1)

Holds 15+ letters, 5 rolled magazines, or 1 Small Priority Mail Flat Rate ® Box.

Size: 5" X 5.5"

Starting Price: $6.17/mo*

See Details (S - Size 2)

Allows large envelopes and magazines to be stacked, and 2 Small Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes.

Size: 5.5" X 11"

Starting Price: $9.17/mo*

See Details (M - Size 3)

Holds Small and Medium Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes and still has room for 10-15 letters.

Size: 11" X 11"

Starting Price: $13.50/mo*

See Details (L - Size 4)

XL - Size 5

Big enough for multiple packages.

Size: 12" X 22.5"

Starting Price: $24.00/mo*

See Details (XL - Size 5)

*Note: For more information on PO Box pricing at your location, see the full USPS Price List .

Additional Benefits of Renting a PO Box 1

Aside from privacy and security, there are many other reasons to get a PO Box including:

• Street Addressing : Get a delivery address for packages from other carriers (including Amazon, DHL, FedEx, and UPS); subject to availability and restrictions.
• Keep your signature on file so you don’t need to wait in line to sign for a package. When your signature is on file, we’ll place mail in your PO Box or in a secure parcel locker for pickup at your convenience.
• Small businesses : Whether you've got a side hustle or a storefront, get a professional-looking address and keep your personal and business lives separate.

Already Have a PO Box?

Renew or manage a po box online.

Save time and make an online payment for the PO Box that you're currently renting.

Manage PO Box

Add an Existing PO Box to Your Online Account

If you already have a PO Box, link it to your USPS.com account so you can easily manage it online.

Link PO Box

Informed Delivery by USPS

Bonus: Maximize your PO Box experience with the free Informed Delivery ® feature for eligible personal and business accounts. Preview incoming letter-sized mail, track packages, and manage deliveries on the go.

Get a new PO Box at a Post Office facility for as low as $4.83 per month, depending on your location. Reserve a box with your existing or new USPS.com account.

More on PO Boxes

What is a po box.

A PO Box is a secure, numbered box located at the Post Office where your mail is kept until you collect it.

I would like to open a PO Box. What are the steps?

To open your PO Box online:

Step 1: Search for Post Office locations near you by using the search bar under "Find a PO Box Near You."

Step 2: Choose a Post Office location and select your desired PO Box size and payment period.

Step 3: Complete the online application form, accept the Terms & Conditions, enter your billing and payment information, and review and submit your application to reserve your PO Box.

Step 4: Print your completed form and bring it to the Post Office counter where your box is located, along with 2 forms of acceptable U.S. identification (within 30 days of submitting your online application). After the retail associate verifies your identity, you’ll get your PO Box keys.

To apply for a PO Box in person at a Post Office:

Step 1: Optional Time-Saving Tip: If you have a printer, download " PS Form 1093, Application for Post Office Box Service ," Application for Post Office Box Service, fill it out, then print it out (note: if you apply for a PO Box online, this form is automatically generated). Bring the completed form with you to the Post Office.

Step 2: Bring your payment and 2 forms of acceptable U.S. identification to the Post Office and tell the retail associate at the counter that you'd like to apply for a PO Box.

What if the PO Box I want is not available?

You have a few options: You can choose another box size, find a box at a different location, or request to be added to the wait list (online or at a Post Office). If you request to be added to the wait list, your name will be placed on a list for that box size at the location you requested. We'll contact you via an email or phone call when the box becomes available. You'll then have 2 days to reserve the box before it goes to the next person on the wait list.

Can I get a PO Box in a different city or state?

Yes, you can. However, you are still required to visit the Post Office where your box is located, with the proper documentation, to pick up your PO Box keys or combination.

What options do I have for making a payment on my PO Box?

You have 4 different options for making a PO Box payment:

• Online with a credit or debit card. Go to the PO Boxes Online application and click "Renew" to go to the "Manage PO Box" page. Then, click "Renew PO Box" to make a one-time payment. This feature is available 30 days before your next payment is due. Also note, when paying with a credit or debit card, you can store up to 3 credit or debit cards safely and securely in our system.
• Pay at a self-service kiosk (SSK): You can find an SSK using Find USPS Locations .
• Pay by mail: Send a check or money order payable to "U.S. Postal Service" to the Postmaster where your PO Box is located. (Include your PO Box number on the memo line of the check.)
• Pay in person: Pay at the Post Office where your PO Box is located using cash, check, credit card, or debit card.

How frequently do I have to pay for my PO Box?

When you're ready to pay for your PO Box, you have 3 payment term options: 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months. A 3-month payment term requires enrolling in automatic renewals with no opt-out. However, if you choose a 6- or 12-month period, you can opt out of automatic renewals.

Can I renew my PO Box online, or do I have to do it in person?

There are 4 ways you can renew your PO Box:

• Online with a credit or debit card. Go to the PO Boxes Online application and click Renew , which will take you to the "Manage PO Box" page. Then, click Renew PO Box . This feature is available 30 days before your next payment is due.
• At a self-service kiosk. Find a kiosk .
• Renew by mail. Send a check or money order payable to "U.S. Postal Service" to the Postmaster where your PO Box is located. (Include your PO Box number on the memo line of the check.)
• Visit the Post Office where your box is located. Pay by cash, check, or credit card.

When do I need to pay my PO Box account renewal fee?

You must make payments by the 10th of the month the payment is due. If you don't make this payment, your PO Box will be closed on the 11th of the month.

Are PO Box rental fees eligible for a refund?

You pay for a full rental period at the beginning; however, if you decide to close your box, you'll get a partial refund depending on how long you've had the box. See full details on refunds .

Access & Services for Your PO Box

I recently opened a po box. how do i get my po box number and the keys for my box.

Once you've reserved your box, completed the PO Box application (PS Form 1093), paid the rental fee, and verified your 2 forms of acceptable ID at the Post Office counter where your box is located, you'll get 2 keys for your box. If you need more than 2 keys, you can request more for an additional fee.

Can I access my PO Box any time of the day?

Most PO Box locations allow 24/7 access to your PO Box; however, hours vary by Post Office location. Look up the hours for the facility where your PO Box is located.

I am a small business owner. Are there any additional services I can get with my PO Box?

If you are a small business owner, a few great services are available for you, including Caller Service, designed for customers who have more than 5 PO Boxes at one location or who receive more mail than will fit in the largest PO Box. If there is an overflow of mail, we'll hold the mail for you to pick up at a time that works best for you. Learn more about services available for small businesses .

Can I change my business account to a personal account or vice-versa?

You can change your personal account to a business account: Go to Your Profile and click Edit . In the upper right-hand corner, click Change to Business Account to switch your personal account to a business account.

If you currently have a USPS.com business account, you can't change your business account to a personal account. Instead, you'll need to create a new, separate personal account and re-verify your identity.

How do I manage my PO Box account online?

Select Manage PO Box , sign in, and you can:

• Open a new PO Box
• Add an existing PO Box to your online account
• Add or manage the credit card you use for payment
• Edit your User Profile
• View your online payment history

What is Street Addressing and how can I get it for my PO Box?

An additional service to consider adding to your PO Box is Street Addressing. With Street Addressing (if available), you have the option of using the street address of your Post Office location, combined with your PO Box number, as your mailing address. This lets you receive packages from private carriers (such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, and Amazon), as long as they comply with USPS mailing standards. See the Customer Agreement for more details .

How do I close a PO Box if I move?

You can close a PO Box by going to Manage PO Box , signing in to your account, and clicking the Close/Request Refund link next to the box. You can also request a PO Box be closed by informing the retail associate at the Post Office where your box is located. Once a box is closed, be sure to submit a Change of Address (COA) form . Depending on where you close your box, the form will be provided online on your close/refund confirmation page or by the retail associate at the Post Office. Your mail can be forwarded to your new address for up to one year.

Can I receive items that need a signature to my PO Box?

Yes. For deliveries that require a signature, we'll leave a delivery notice inside your PO Box, and you'll go to the counter to sign for and pick up your package. If you sign up for the free Signature on File service, we'll leave the item in your PO Box.

Need More Help?

1. Additional services not available at all Post Office locations.  Back ^

The extra-small PO Box is ideal for small business owners or households who need a PO Box address and are able to check their box frequently (to ensure it doesn’t fill up with mail).

Find a PO Box (XS - Size 1)

Holds 15+ letters, 5 rolled magazines, or 1 Small Priority Mail Flat Rate Box.

The small PO Box is ideal for small business owners and households who receive multiple letters, bills, and a few bubble envelopes or magazines throughout the week.

Find a PO Box (S - Size 2)

The medium PO Box is ideal for small business owners and households who get multiple pieces of mail per day, and want their magazines and most large envelopes to fit without being folded.

Find a PO Box (M - Size 3)

The large PO Box is a good size for a small business owner who regularly receives packages, boxes, or multiple letters each day. This size is also ideal for a household that makes purchases online and still wants space for their regular mail.

Find a PO Box (L - Size 4)

The extra-large PO Box is ideal for a small business owner who frequently receives multiple packages and mail of varying sizes. This is also a great size option for a household that receives lots of packages from online merchants.

Find a PO Box (XL - Size 5)