address tips
Write it down correctly
If you are unsure of a full postal address, it is far better to ask the recipient or someone else who knows the address, than risk the delays that could result if you enter incorrect information.
Sending to Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rican addresses often include an urbanization code and often have Spanish address information. Check the most common formats down below.
USPS Zipcode Verification Tool
The United States Postal Service has an address verification tool you can use to make sure that the address you have is a viable address.
complete address elements
A complete delivery address includes:
- Addressee name or other identifier and/or firm name where applicable.
- Urbanization name (Puerto Rico only, ZIP Code prefixes 006 to 009, if the area is so designated).
- Street number and name (including predirectional, suffix, and postdirectional as shown in USPS ZIP+4 Product for the delivery address or rural route.
- Secondary address unit designator and number (such as an apartment or suite number (APT 202, STE 100)).
- City and state (or authorized two-letter state abbreviation). Use only city names and city and state name abbreviations as shown in USPS City State Product.
- Correct 5-digit ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code. If a firm name is assigned a unique ZIP+4 code in the USPS ZIP+4 Product, the unique ZIP+4 code must be used in the delivery address.
Make sure all your letters and packages arrive at the right postal box.