Postal Explorer > Publication 28 - Postal Addressing Standards > 2 Postal Addressing Standards

2 Postal Addressing Standards

21 General

211 Standardized Delivery Address Line and Last Line

The Delivery Address Line and the Last Line of addresses output to the mailpiece should be complete, standardized, and validated with the ZIP+4 file and City State file, respectively.

It is recommended that delivery address information be stored in a minimum of 30 bytes or spaces in your computer system. The optimum recommendation is 64 bytes or spaces to be compatible with the Postal Service National ZIP+4 database.

The Postal Service defines a complete address as one that has all the address elements necessary to allow an exact match with the current Postal Service ZIP+4 and City State files to obtain the finest level of ZIP+4 and delivery point codes for the delivery address. A complete address may be required on mail at some automation rates. See the DMM for more detailed information.

A standardized address is one that is fully spelled out, abbreviated by using the Postal Service standard abbreviations (shown in this publication) or as shown in the current Postal Service ZIP+4 file.

212 Format

Format all lines of the address with a uniform left margin. Uppercase letters are preferred on all lines of the address block.

Lowercase letters in various type styles are acceptable provided they meet postal guidelines for OCR readability. Chapter 4 of Publication 25 provides complete guidelines for OCR readability that should be met when preparing a standardized mailpiece. See the DMM for OCR readability requirements that must be met for automation rates (other rates may also apply).

213 Secondary Address Unit Designators

Secondary address unit designators, such as APARTMENT or SUITE, are preferred to be printed on the mailpiece for address locations containing secondary unit designators. The preferred location is at the end of the Delivery Address Line. The pound sign (#) should not be used as a secondary unit designator if the correct designation, such as APT or STE, is known or is shown in the ZIP+4 file.

213.1 Common Designators

The most common unit designators are:

213.2 Pound Sign (#)

If the pound sign (#) is used, there must be a space between the pound sign and the secondary number.

213.3 Alternate Location

If all Delivery Address Line information cannot be continued in the Delivery Address Line above the city, state, and ZIP Code, place secondary address information on the line immediately above the Delivery Address Line.

214 Attention Line

The Attention Line is placed above the Recipient Line, that is, above the name of the firm to which the mailpiece is directed.

215 Dual Addresses

Eliminate dual addresses on the output mailpiece, if possible, although mailer files may maintain both mailing and physical addresses. However, if dual addresses are used, place the intended delivery address on the line immediately above the city, state, and ZIP+4 Code. This normally is the Post Office Box address. The other address must be placed on a separate line above the Delivery Address Line. The ZIP+4 Code used must be the correct code for the delivery address on the line directly above the city, state, and ZIP Code.