Writing Addresses
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
Writing Addresses
If you are writing an address, whether typed or handwritten, on an envelope to be mailed via the post office, the U.S. Postal Service recommends that you do not use any punctuation. Use all CAPS. Center the address on the envelope and use a flush left margin. Put room, suite, and apartment numbers on the same line as the street address.
How to Address an Envelope or Package
Example:
JESSIE SANTANA
4325 W PALM BEACH RD RM 419
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94116
If you know the four-digit extension of the zip code, the post office will be even happier with you.
Also, note that you should use RD for Road and W for West. Other abbreviations: STE for Suite and APT for Apartment.
The above is just one common example. If you have questions about other situations, please refer to the U.S. Postal Service addressing standards.
If you are writing an address in the body of a letter, use punctuation.
Example: Please send mail to Jessie Santana, 4325 W. Palm Beach Rd., San Francisco, CA 94116.
If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page.
According to the USPS, all capital letters should also be used.
But it will still get there even if not all caps are used? Does anyone know how much of a delay, if any at all, using lowercase letters would cause?
Thanks!
The letter will still arrive, but it is impossible to predict whether it will be delayed or for how long.
All caps and no punctuation make it easier for the USPS’s automated equipment to process the mail.
I am glad to see that this is finally getting out there. While I was in an office position, I kept in close contact with the postal office. They taught me decades ago about not putting in any punctuations on the envelope that was going to be mailed. I thought I was the only one who knew, because nobody else seems to do that.
Where have I been? I use punctuation on mailings all the time. When did this change?
In addition to the NO PUNCTUATION rule, a rule of thumb for business that I teach is to type all of the information in ALL CAPITAL letters. This not only is quicker to type but more efficient for the Post Office to sort. Thank you for your invaluable information!
The reason for the ALL CAPITALS for addresses is for easier sorting, but specifically because machines can read capitals letters even handwritten.
I could not find it in my booklet I have in my classroom from the Post Office either. I remember this from a business writing course I took in college.
That’s a new one to me. THANK YOU!
Thank you for the new information of addres writting.
thanks for all the tips you are sending me. I hope you will continue sending me more of your ideas.
True!
What if it’s a single-digit house/building number? For example:
Two Penn Center, Suite 1313
Would I write 2 PENN CENTER STE 1313 or TWO PENN CENTER STE 1313?
This is from the USPS site, https://pe.usps.com/text/pub28/28c2_016.htm: Numeric street names, for example, 7TH ST or SEVENTH ST, should be output on the mailpiece exactly as they appear in the ZIP+4 file. Spell out numeric street names only when there are duplicate street names within a postal delivery area and the only distinguishing factor is that the one you matched is spelled out.
Most of us don’t have the ZIP+4 file; therefore I recommend following the advice given in the second sentence, i.e., generally use numerals.
Mark asked about this situation not a numeric street name:
2 PENN CENTER STE 1313 or TWO PENN CENTER STE 1313
So I too would like to know if single digit house numbers are the numeric version such as 2 above or the written version such as Two.
As we mentioned, the U.S. Postal Service will be happiest with you if you write the address exactly per their format in the Zip Code Lookup database, which most likely is going to be in a numerical format, For instance, we entered “Two Penn Center, Suite 1313, NY, New York” into the database. It returned:
2 PENN PLZ # 1313
NEW YORK NY 10121-0101
However, if either the addressee or the sender likes spelling out the number (and other abbreviations) because it looks fancier or more formal, we imagine the post office will faithfully deliver your letter.
I learned how to write an envelope in fourth grade…. they stated that this is the new way to address an envelope.
By the way, that was in the late 1970’s.
Perhaps they were referring to the introduction of the zip code for United States mail. Zip codes were introduced in 1967 and were still being promoted as “new” in the 1970s. (Please note that there is no apostrophe in 1970s.)
What is the correct way to write “suite” when there are 2 suite numbers?
The plural of suite is suites. It should be capitalized if it is part of a formal address.
Example: 100 Wilshire Boulevard, Suites 100 and 101.
Some people still use a hyphen to separate the number of the house or apartment from the name of the street (e.g., 602 – 32nd Street. Will you please tell me how long before or after World War II this practice ended? Thanks
We’ve never seen this practice and do not see any information on the internet about it. You may wish to inquire with the US Postal Service.
When using all caps for mail addresses can titles be used without the punctuation? Mr., Ms. as MR, MS.
Thank you.
Our blog Writing Addresses says, “If you are writing an address, whether typed or handwritten, on an envelope to be mailed via the post office, do not use any punctuation. Use all CAPS.” Therefore, a title would also be written without punctuation. Examples:
MR FRED SIMON
MS MARIA SANCHEZ
When writing an address on a letter, returning to the sender, what is the proper way to include inc. at the end of the company name?
If you are simply returning an unopened envelope, you only need to write “Return to sender” on the envelope. If you are writing a letter in response to a letter received from a corporation, Inc. should be capitalized and include a period, but a comma is not required after the company name. Example: Weblinx Inc.
When I was first taught how to write my address, I seem to remember being instructed to put 2 spaces between the state and the zip code. Is that correct? I don’t follow that, but I just remembered that. Also, what’s more acceptable on the outside, to write the full state name or the abbreviation? What about in non-USPS standards?
DES MOINES IOWA
DES MOINES, IOWA
On the outside of an envelope, we recommend using only USPS standards (DES MOINES IA zip code). If you are writing an address in the body of a letter, we recommend using punctuation and the full state name (Des Moines, Iowa).
There is a difference between a state’s abbreviation and its postal code. For instance, the abbreviation for Massachusetts is Mass., but the postal code is MA. Once upon a time, it was incorrect to use a postal code in a business letter (the letter itself, not the envelope), but abbreviations were acceptable. What is the rule now?
The Chicago Manual of Style’s Rule 10.28 says, “In running text, the names of states, territories, and possessions of the United States should always be spelled out when standing alone and preferably (except for DC) when following the name of a city: for example, “Lake Bluff, Illinois, was incorporated in 1895.” In bibliographies, tabular matter, lists, and mailing addresses, they are usually abbreviated. In all such contexts, Chicago prefers the two-letter postal codes to the conventional abbreviations. Note that if traditional abbreviations must be used, some terms may not be subject to abbreviation.”
My address has a “1/2” in it. (i.e., 1234 1/2 Main Street)
Many places don’t allow for the backslash.
What is the correct alternative? 1234.5? 1234B?
We are not sure that we understand what you mean by “places” that do not allow for the backslash (you probably mean the slash [/] rather than the backslash [\]). It is possible that this is not a grammar question but a question for the postal service. If your address is 1234 1/2 Main Street, any “alternative” could result in misdirected mail.
This issue just came up for me — National Grid’s main website, when entering information for a new account, does not accept the ‘/’, or slash, in their form.
However I called them up and gave them the information directly, and they did not blink. This seems like a case where the webmaster assumed too much about addresses and rejected what he considered invalid punctuation.
I don’t know what the best course of action would have been had National Grid’s internal computers rejected the slash — but it would definitely have been their fault.
I just realized — 1/2 is considered the ‘number’, and not 1 and 2 divided by a punctuation mark, right? Because that would make it hard to write an address without punctuation…
When writing an address, “1/2” is considered a number rather than a mathematical fraction. Perhaps it is not as unusual as it seems, since two of our readers have posted comments regarding its use. Punctuation (/) is necessary in this case.
I am a Canadian. Are there different rules for Canada such as something based on either English or French rules?
I was taught:
Catcher Andrews,
Apt. 57,
27 Laurier Rd.,
Ottawa, Ontario. …….
Although we do not consider ourselves to be authorities on addresses outside the United States, we did find that the contact address on the Canada Post website does not use commas in English or French.
https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/web/en/pages/support/default.page#Mail
Do we normally write house number prior to the street name? For example, would it be correct to write the address in the following way (this address is outsite the US, but I need to write it according to the English norms):
155 Joliot Str., Balashiha 141980, Moscow Region, Russia
Balashiha is a city, and 141980 is the postal code of the city. Would it be correct to write the zip code right after the city name? Or do I have to write it after the “Moscow Region”?
Thanks in advance.
The United States norm would be to write the address exactly as it would be written to ensure proper delivery in whatever country the address resides. If you feel you must write it according to American English norms, then street is abbreviated St. Our zip codes come after the name of the state. Perhaps then, your postal code should follow Moscow Region.
Dear Helga, letter sent to Russia must have address in Russian according Russian rules following city and country in English. For example:
Иван Петров
ул. Синяя 55,
690454, Пенза, Россия
PENZA, RUSSIA
what if i don’t want to put a particular name on it under the return address but that return envelop is for our whole family/household use, e.g. our surname is TOMSON, then how to write? Coz if to put “TOMSON’S FAMILY” that sound too childish and not really grant/formal. Any suggestions?
If you do not want to write your return address as The Tomson family, you could simply write The Tomsons.
I was taught to write an address this way: 659 West 123rd Street. However, I’ve recently read in the Webster’s New Essential Writer’s Companion: A Concise Guide to Writing Effectively for School, Home, or Office that the “rd” should be omitted. Is there a rule for this? I assume the “rd” can be left out because the street number is followed by the word “Street.”
The USPS Postal Addressing Standards Publication 28 says, “Numeric street names, for example, 7TH ST or SEVENTH ST, should be output on the mailpiece exactly as they appear in the ZIP+4 file.”
I was taught in high school typing/keyboarding (early 90s) that after the state abbreviation in an address, you type two spaces followed by the zip code … is that still proper?
Otherwise, I’ve always considered it optional to just return (start a new line) with the zip code on its own line … or is that not correct?
The USPS Postal Addressing Standards Publication 28 says, “Format the Last Line [sic] with at least one space between the city name, two–character state abbreviation, and ZIP+4 Code. Note: Two spaces are preferred between the state abbreviation and ZIP+4 Code.”
You have no idea what you are talking about.
PERIOD after W.
Period after Rd.
COMMA after San Francisco,
PERIOD after abbreviated state name CA. This is not necessary after a state name which is fully spelled out.
This is the problem with the Internet, anyone can make themselves out to be an expert, even when they are not conveying the proper information.
The United States Postal Service has clear standards, which are stated in its publications. Publication 28 says, “With the exception of the hyphen in the ZIP+4 Code, punctuation may be omitted in the delivery address block.” The following is what the USPS identifies as a “Preferred Address:”
MR WALTER W WITHERSPOON JR
MDM ENTERPRISES INC
1401 S MAIN ST
PLUMMER’S LANDING KY 41081-1411
In addition, the USPS article “Addressing Tips” says the following:
“Avoid commas, periods, or other punctuation—it helps your mailpiece speed through our processing equipment.”
We appreciate your pointing out what the problem is with the Internet. However, it can also be a terrific tool for researching facts and information before making incorrect and discourteous statements.
Thank you Jane for your insightful information about postage and addressing.
As for RAnder, what would make me want to believe what you have to say any more than what Jane said? I would also like to point out where you are making this posting, referring to the book that Jane wrote. I would assume the reason you would have visited this web page would have been to seek Jane’s knowledge on the subject. If that is not the case then I would like to ask why you visited the site in the first place. The reason being that your comment doesn’t really seem to have a point. Maybe it’s just me, who by the way is NOT an expert, but it seems as though it is you who has no idea what they are talking about, not Jane.
I have reviewed the previous blogs searching for the correct way to write an address for a business. This particular posting was the closest to what I need to clarify. There are so many companies writing addresses differently and I want to be correct.
I agree the name should be listed on the first line above the business but I’ve noticed many companies list the persons name on the second line or not in the address portion at all but on the bottom left corner of the envelope. Are either of these correct as well or neither? Also, is it necessary to put ATTN: in front of the personal name or not at all?
I would appreciate any advice you might be able to provide.
According to the United States Postal Service Publication 28, “The Attention Line is placed above the Recipient Line, that is, above the name of the firm to which the mailpiece is directed.”
Examples:
JOHN DOE
ABC COMPANY
1401 MAIN ST
FALLS CHURCH VA 22042-1441
ATTN JOHN DOE
ABC COMPANY
1401 MAIN ST
FALLS CHURCH VA 22042-1441
In the first example you use “W”. In the second example you use “W.”. Which is considered more grammatically correct?
It depends on where you are writing the address. If you are writing an address on an envelope to be mailed via the post office, do not use any punctuation. If you are writing an address in the body of a letter, use punctuation.
What is we wanted to write an address all on one line when there is a suite. Do you put a comma after the suite number and before the city or is that not appropriate
123 Smith St., Suite 100, New York, NY 10001
OR
123 Smith St., Suite 100 New York, NY 10001
If you are addressing an envelope, the United States Postal Service recommends avoiding punctuation. Also, uppercase letters are preferred on all lines of the address block. According to the United States Postal Service Publication 28, “Secondary address unit designators, such as APARTMENT or SUITE, should be located at the end of the delivery address line.”
Therefore, write:
123 SMITH ST STE 100
NEW YORK NY 10001
However, if you are writing an address in text and desire to keep it all on one line, you may write it as 123 Smith St., Suite 100, New York, NY 10001.
What about an address on a resume?
Since you are not addressing an envelope, we recommend following normal capitalization and punctuation rules.
https://www.usps.com/send/addressing-tips.htm?
https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action
These links are to USPS webpages.
The first gives details on how to address an envelope. Basically, it says “all caps, no punctuation unless it is actually a part of a name or address, use all addressing abbreviations, start specific and end general.
ATTN line (if needed)
Then department (if needed)
Then company name
Then street address including STE, #(Yes, this is ok to use), SP, APT, etc. (The abbreviations are also on the UPSP site)
Then city, then 2-letter state, then ZIP and +4
The second is a page that looks up zip codes if you provide a enough of a real address—that is to say enough of the correct address for a real location. It will return the address, properly formatted (ALL CAPS) for the Post Office, with the ZIP Code and +4. You can just copy/paste and be done with it.
This has nothing at all to do with grammer, punctuation, how you think it looks, or keeping your pinky finger in the air as you sip. This is strictly functional. Do whatever you like/learned in school/think is proper on the inside address. If you want the least likelihood of UPPS mail issues, address the envelope the way they request.
If you need to mail to an address outside of the USA, check the Internet for that country’s instructions.
This is too easy for all of these repetitious questions and postings…
when writing the address in the body of the letter the abbreviations used in the address do you use all caps? example MR & MRS John Smith
3981 Broad ST
Richmond VA 23230-1441
The US Postal Service recommends all caps and no punctuation for the address on the outside of the envelope. However, the body of the letter should follow normal capitalization and punctuation rules.
Use of all caps LOOKS LIKE SHOUTING even if it’s on an envelope.
THis “rule” is for the satisfaction of USPS, but off-putting to human beings, who find all-caps harder to read and ugly. It also looks like drone-generated junk mail or humorless material such as bills, and thus more likely to remain unopened or opened with trepidation.
I daresay the scenario in which a letter is delayed because it was printed in title case is rare. I’ll stick with friendly style and connect with the recipient, not the mailman.
According to the US Postal Service, all mail is read and sorted by computerized machines before being handed over, in the delivery order of each route, to the mail carriers. If the machines make any errors in reading the addresses, mail will likely be delayed by at least one day, depending on the type of error. If names and addresses are typed, hand printed, or hand written clearly, errors may not occur. However, the surest way of getting your time-sensitive letters delivered promptly is to follow USPS guidelines.
When writing an address with an apartment number (i.e. #203) in a sentence, do you use a comma between the street address and the apartment number? For example:
Please send all correspondence to 123 Broad Street #203, Kalamazoo, MI 12345
or
Please send all correspondence to 123 Broad Street, #203, Kalamazoo, MI 12345
Either way is acceptable.
What is the acceptable way, according to the United States Postal Service, to use “care of” on an envelope and in the body of a letter? I don’t recall ever seeing “CO ROBERT SMITH” on the front of an envelope in place of “C/O ROBERT SMITH”.
Example:
WALMART INC
C/O ROBERT SMITH
8274 W MAIN ST
NASHVILLE TN 12345-1234
WAL-MART INC
CO ROBERT SMITH
8274 W MAIN ST
NASHVILLE TN 12345-1234
Also, what is the rule for a dash if it’s included in the name of the company? Again, this is referring to the address on the front of an envelope.
Example:
WAL-MART VS. WALMART
According to the United States Postal Service Publication 28, “The Attention Line is placed above the Recipient Line, that is, above the name of the firm to which the mailpiece is directed.” The USPS appears to prefer “ATTN” over “C/O.” Regarding the hyphen, the same publication states, “With the exception of the hyphen in the ZIP+4 Code, punctuation may be omitted in the delivery address block.” We interpret that to mean that the company name may be written with or without the hyphen.
ROBERT SMITH OR ATTN ROBERT SMITH
WAL-MART INC (OR WALMART INC)
8274 W MAIN ST
NASHVILLE TN 12345-1234
How would you address John & Jane Smith, would you use Mr. & Mrs. John and Jane Smith, or Mr. John Smith & Mrs. Jane Smith?
We assume you are asking about addressing an envelope to be mailed. The US Postal Service recommends all caps and no punctuation. We are not aware of whether the USPS has a preference for “AND” over “&,” but we would not mix the two in a single address. Otherwise, either of your methods is acceptable.
How are same sex couples who are married handled – for example
MRS SUE SMITH & MRS JANE ANDREWS?
The way you have written the names could be acceptable. It’s up to the couple.
With reference to this example: Please send mail to Jessie Santana, 4325 W. Palm Beach Rd., San Francisco, CA 94116.
If it is added the country after the postal code, would it be:
Jessie Santana, 4325 W. Palm Beach Rd., San Francisco, CA 94116, the United States
OR
Jessie Santana, 4325 W. Palm Beach Rd., San Francisco, CA 94116, United States.
You can write either “USA” or “United States of America.”
I work for a government agency and we use window envelopes for mailing so the address showing would be the address on the correspondent.
Office controversy being is that the post office prefers all caps with no punctuation for address, but to be grammatically correct the address on the letter is to be upper/lower with punctuation.
Grammar solution please?
While there is no “grammar” solution to your problem, we will venture our opinion. The US Postal Service prefers all caps because that is easy for their automated systems to read and interpret. However, we have found that as long as the envelope is neatly and accurately typed, the letter will safely and speedily get to its destination. That of course would also apply to the correspondent’s name and address on the letter that’s showing through the envelope’s window.
What about a company with multiple names?
For example:
Stanley, Anderson and Associates
If I was to take out the comma I would think that Stanley would be the first name and Anderson the second. Do I still omit the comma for mailing?
The US Postal Service recommends no punctuation when addressing an envelope. But, whatever you decide, as long as it’s legible, your letter will arrive in any case.
No. 88 Millennium Residences OR No. 88, Millennium Residences
North Road
90000 CityName
StateName
CountryName
Let’s say if I need to write this address in a letter (not on an envelope), is the comma between No. 88 and Millennium Garden needed?
– No. 88 is the terrace house number
– Millennium Residences is the name of the residential area with houses numbered from 1 to 105, for example.
– North Road is the name of the main road along which Millennium Garden is located.
I noticed a comma is not needed between the street/building/block number and the street address, e.g., 289 Knightsbridge Road but how about in my case?
I checked the post office website of my country and there aren’t rules on this, so I thought I’d follow the English rules/norms.
We see no reason to put a comma after “No. 88.”
How do you write, 162nd A Avenue, or 162ndA Avenue,in the address,
11439 – 162A Avenue N.W.
This address appears to be quite unusual. We recommend that you contact your local post office for expert advice.
Can you spell out an address or must it be written in numbers?
for example: 1 Main St vs One Main St.
What is the USPS view?
In the USPS addressing standards publication all of the examples use numerals.
Which is correct?
3132 SW 5th St
or
3132 SW 5 St
Write “3132 SW 5TH ST.”
What if i live in a subdivision.
In the United States we generally do not include subdivisions as part of mailing addresses. You might want to contact your local postal service to find out what the procedure is in the Philippines.
Where do commas belong in the following sentence:
I, John Doe of 15 Park Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02011 hereby appoint my spouse, Jane Doe of 15 Park Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02011 and my son, John Doe Jr. of 14 Park Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02011 to serve as my agents.
Your sentence looks like it could be part of a legal document. Legal documents often have their own set of rules. You may want to consult a legal style manual.
In formal prose, if John Doe has more than one son, the son’s name is an essential appositive and should not be surrounded by commas. If he only has one son, we recommend the following:
I, John Doe, of 15 Park Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02011, hereby appoint my spouse, Jane Doe, of 15 Park Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02011, and my son, John Doe Jr., of 14 Park Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02011, to serve as my agents.
See our post Commas with Appositives for more information.
In a address, how do I refer to the Name of a bussiness firm that used to operate at that specific address but no longer operates and is still popular.
For Example:-
Name of New Firm That Operates:-Shyam Traders ( Less Popular)
Name of Old firm:- Diya Marbles (Very Popular)
Address:- Shyam Traders,Near Gangabai Ghat, Nagpur.
(Old Site of Diya Marble)
Is the address correct or there is a better way to write it?
Using the formal street address of the new firm should enable your postal service to deliver mail there. If you are informally referring or directing someone to the new firm, there is nothing wrong with referring to the old firm to assist with finding the location.
When I am typing a letter, the address blocks at the beginning and at the end show as 1 1/2 spaces rather than a single space. Why???? How can I change it? Blocking it and telling it to single space does not work?
We assume you are using a computer, not a typewriter. We suggest you consult the manual for the office software you are using.
What is the reasoning for not using USPS rules in the body of our correspondence? Why continue using mixed-case, punctuation, etc. in the body of our messages? We use a mix of addressed envelopes AND windowed envelopes for our correspondence. It seems that using a consistent style that is optimized for USPS processing would facilitate delivery, even when that style is used for addresses in the body of printed correspondence that will show through a windowed envelope. Why not SIMPLIFY?
The USPS would no doubt appreciate your approach. Their style is desired because mail is read and sorted by computerized machines. Your place of employment could certainly adopt such an approach. However, to us, some amount of romance or personal touch is lost when we see such abbreviations as CA in place of California, MS instead of Mississippi, PKWY instead of Parkway, etc.
RE: Addresses in the body of a letter
What if the sentence reads as follows:
Please send all inquiries to 1234 Smith Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96782.
Is there suppose to be two spaces in between Hawaii and 96782?
No; there is only supposed to be one space.
Why NOT two spaces? Why not write addresses in the body of the letter that can easily be copy/pasted as USPS-formatted delivery addresses? Even if it’s on one line in the body, why not use an address in the body that, with the addition of some line breaks, is ready to be used as a USPS-formatted delivery address? Also, a USPS-formatted address in the body can be more easily OCR’ed from the letter and used as a delivery address. This issue is especially relevant in situations where windowed envelopes are used (thus, the address printed in the correspondence is also the same address read by USPS for delivery processing). At the very least, using USPS-formatted addresses in the body of correspondence should be an explicit option that is not prohibited by style rules. I think such style rules should be occasionally rethought and updated if such an update presents an opportunity for increased efficiency through simplicity.
So Lisa, though GrammarBook is doubtless correct regarding the established style, I think you should format addresses in the body the same way you would on an envelope to facilitate USPS delivery processing. Even though the address is only on one line, I think you should put two spaces between “Hawaii” and “96782”. I also think you should capitalize the entire address and otherwise conform to USPS addressing standards. That answer is, of course, only my opinion.
PLEASE let us leave our cultural traditions in their important roles in keeping our culture alive and NOT in making our business decisions. Let optimization & efficiency make the latter, as they do it best!
P.S. – Regarding earlier replies: I too mourn the loss of romance and personalization, even in business. I think, though, that those things can be best preserved in the body of your correspondence with mushy writing, calligraphy, doodles, and parenthetic asides (my favorite). If you want a romantic body (hee hee) to also contain a delivery address useful to the reader, then please follow your head for just a second and use a USPS address. THEN you can go back to following your heart in your smoochy-smoochy writing! Regardless, keep communicating!
The examples shown in the USPS postal addressing standards show one space, however a note in section 224 expresses that two spaces are preferred. Either one or two spaces will probably work just fine.
I read about the preferred “no punctuation” by the post office as a “tip” inside a matchbook cover about 25 years ago and have been doing it that way since I read it. It may have also mentioned the big block letters, but I always use them anyway.
How am I to write this address:
Jane Doe
967 Skipper Rd SW, Suite 72 Box 102
Chehalis, WA 98532
According to the USPS:
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. Normally, this is the Post Office Box address.
Therefore, it appears that you should write on the envelope:
JANE DOE
967 SKIPPER RD SW SUITE 72
PO BOX 102
CHEHALIS WA 98532
I am currently staying at an RV park and my physical address has Twelfth Street as the street address and I have space 23 wI think the park. First do I write out Twelfth or 12th and do I use Space, Unit, or Apt. etc.? It would be very helpful getting packages delivered. Plus I’ve always heard to write the Apt. # etc. on the third line of address.
Please refer to the U.S. Postal Service’s Postal Addressing Standards or contact your local post office for expert advice in regard to these specialized cases.
How would I write this address:
JOHN SMITH
123 A BLACK RD
WATSONVILLE CA 95076
or
JOHN SMITH
123 BLACK RD A
WATSONVILLE CA 95076
Its a separate house on the property.
123A BLACK RD
123 A BLACK RD
123 BLACK RD A
may all work to get your letter delivered to the intended addressee. You may wish to contact the addressee’s post office for expert advice.
I’m doing my son’s 4th grade homework right now, and they’re STILL teaching punctuation in addresses at school…which is why I’m here, actually! This is sooo confusing! Why do they teach the wrong way in school? I don’t get it.
Although the USPS accepts addresses written with punctuation, no punctuation is preferred. Your son could bring a copy of this USPS page to school:
https://pe.usps.com/text/pub28/28c2_007.htm
(We do hope that you meant that you were “helping” your son with his fourth-grade homework!)
I was taught in high school to put 2 spaces between sentences and 3 spaces between state name and zip code. Is this wrong?
Our post Rules Do Change says, “Originally, typewriters had monospaced fonts (skinny letters and fat letters took up the same amount of space), so two spaces after ending punctuation marks such as the period were used to make the text more legible. However, most computer fonts present no difficulty with proportion or legibility, so use just one space after a period, colon, question mark, or exclamation point at the end of a sentence.”
The US Postal Service recommends two spaces between state and ZIP code for addressing envelopes and packages. In formal prose, such as the content above the salutation of a letter, one space is used.
How am I to write this if I abbreviated this particular address for the word “Avenue?” Do I need to put a period after the three letters Ave and then a comma or just a period or just a comma? Economic Hotel 860 Francisco I. Madero Avenue, Central Tijuana, B.C., 22000 Mexico
As the post states, “If you are writing an address, whether typed or handwritten, on an envelope to be mailed via the post office, the U.S. Postal Service recommends that you do not use any punctuation. Use all CAPS.”