Writing Addresses

Please note: This original post from January 2007 has been updated and replaced by a new version of Writing Addresses, published on July 4, 2018.

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.

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.

Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2007, at 6:42 pm

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on Writing Addresses