How to Use the US Address Format Correctly
Using the correct format while addressing an envelope or package helps you ensure that it reaches the correct destination. Also, it helps the postal service to mail your items efficiently and speedily.
However, we often forget about checking the American address format before sending something to the US. It can result in various issues, like delays, returns, and lost mail. Hence, taking out a moment of your time to cross-check your address format can save you a lot of trouble.
While mailing from Australia, you should take care that you write the US address according to the United States Postal Service (USPS) address format. It speeds up the delivery process and eliminates any unnecessary trouble.
Keep reading this blog to know how to write an address US. We will also discuss some tips that will help you make your mailing addresses valid and deliverable.
How to Write US Address on Envelope or Parcel
US mailing addresses usually range from three to six lines. Find below the components of the US address format:
Recipient’s Name
Always write the recipient’s name on the first line. It is also called the attention line, so you can begin by writing “ATTN” or “ATTENTION.”
Company’s Name
You can mention the company’s name on the second line. Some people write the company’s name on the first line if they aren’t sure of the recipient’s name.
Delivery Address
The third line typically consists of the street address. The USPS also refers to it as the delivery address line. Some examples of US street addresses are:
- 106 DOYERS ST
- 8 ARLINGTON DR
- 599 NW BAY BLVD
- 72 ANDERSON PL
As you can see, there are several abbreviations in street addresses. For example, ST stands for ‘Street,’ BLVD stands for ‘Boulevard,’ and PL stands for ‘Place.’ You can check the complete list of abbreviations on the USPS website.
Also, you should use the correct abbreviations for street directional, like N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE, SW.
City, State, and ZIP code
The second last line has three crucial elements of an American mailing address: city, state, and ZIP code.
The US addresses also use the state abbreviation instead of the name, like Australian addresses. So, write the city name at the beginning of the line, followed by the 2-digit state abbreviation.
Again, make sure to use the correct abbreviation as prescribed by the USPS.
The last thing you should add to this line is the ZIP code. It works in the same way as postcodes work in Australia. However, postcodes have only four numbers, whereas ZIP codes range up to nine digits.
Most people only use the 5-digit ZIP codes. But, it is advisable to add ZIP+4 codes (the additional digits added to ZIP codes) to ensure accurate mailing.
This line should look something like this:
ALLENTOWN PA 18101 0598
Country Name
The correct US address format while sending mail from Australia has the word ‘USA’ on the last line. If you want, you may write ‘United States of America,’ but it is recommended to write ‘USA.’
It is one of the most significant aspects of your mailing address while mailing internationally.
So, the US address format is:
Recipient’s full name
Company name
Street address
City, state, ZIP code
Country name
Here’s an example of an American address according to the above format:
CAROLINE MILLER
JSP INC
105 KROME AVE
MIAMI FL 33185 3700
USA
Different Types of US Letter Address Formats
Apart from the standard US address format that we discussed above, there are some variations that you should about.
Residential Addresses
While mailing a residential address, you need not add the company name on the second line. You can begin with the recipient’s name and add the street address on the following line.
ALARIC DIAS
8 ONTARIO ST
CLEVELAND OH 44113-1602
USA
PO BOX Addresses
The US shipping address format for PO boxes is not very different from the other address formats. You only need to replace the street address with a PO box number.
Here’s an example:
STUART GELLER
TROPIC PRODUCTIONS LTD
PO BOX 6903
LOS ANGELES CA 90079 6285
USA
Note: If you want, you can also add the street address on the line above the PO Box number.
Military Addresses
The US military address format is a little tricky. On the first line, write the full name of the service member you are mailing. You may or may not add the rank, grade, etc.
If you don’t know the name, you can add a specific title, like Supply Officer, Commanding Officer, etc.
Also, add the unit designation and FPO/APO details with a ZIP code.
Below is an example of a US military address:
SGT JACE SMITH
UNIT 1582 BOX 174
APO AE 09350
Addresses With Secondary Details
Add an extra line to your address in cases where you need to mention additional address details, like a suite number. For example:
ANNA PARKER
SUITE 20 A
10 CAMPBELL AVE
TUCSON AZ 85641 0189
USA
Crucial Guidelines to Follow While Writing US Addresses
Below are some essential and helpful guidelines that can help you write US addresses correctly:
- Write your mailing address in uppercase letters and refrain from using punctuation.
- Leave one space between the city name and state abbreviation and two spaces between the state abbreviation and ZIP code.
- Use black (any dark-coloured ink) on white paper (any light-coloured paper).
- Use simple and legible fonts.
- Keep your address parallel to the longest side of your mail item.
- Always place the postage and the address on the same side.
- Avoid using extra glossy envelopes. It is advisable to avoid any coated or shiny paper stock altogether.
- The postal sorting equipment reads your mailing addresses from the bottom up. So, do not interchange any lines, like adding the suite number below the delivery address line instead of above.
- You may use words such as ‘RESIDENT’ OR ‘OCCUPANT’ if you aren’t sure of the recipient’s full name.
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Not following the proper US address format can lead to delays and lost mail. Your mail may be misdirected or misrouted easily due to an incorrect address format.
Hence, it is significant to write your mailing addresses the right way and follow all the guidelines closely. However, you may face difficulties cross-checking addresses and following the format all the time. Also, it takes a lot of effort to verify every abbreviation and ZIP code before mailing.
PostGrid’s address verification API and software can help you solve these problems. They allow you to verify any number of mailing addresses in no time. Furthermore, you can standardise your addresses according to the prescribed format simultaneously.
Find below some more useful features of PostGrid’s address verification:
- Fuzzy matching: Our API can fix all addressing errors, like incorrect abbreviations, missing ZIP codes, spacing errors, etc.
- Autocomplete: It can also auto-complete addresses using geocoding. For example, if your customers want to shop online from your website, the API auto-fills their address details when they start typing them.
- CASS-certified: PostGrid is CASS-certified; hence all the addresses are verified as per the authoritative database of the USPS.
- Zero-code integration: You don’t need technical or coding expertise to integrate our API into your CRM.
- NCOA: PostGrid also takes the National Change of Address (NCOA) data file into consideration while verifying your addresses. So, you can be assured that you have all the current mailing addresses only.
Conclusion
We hope this article enables you to understand how do US addresses work. Make sure to identify which type of address you want to mail to and follow the correct format accordingly.
PostGrid makes it easy for businesses to capture valid, deliverable addresses. Also, it helps them update their database from time to time.
Request a demo to learn more about how we can help you follow the correct US address format via our address verification solutions!
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source https://www.postgrid.com.au/us-address-format/
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