Addressing Mail

The following format is recommended in the sequence and position indicated for addressing to insure efficient handling and delivery by the USPS.

Domestic address format

Image of an envelope pointing out the correct location of department and mail stop.

International address format

Picture showing the correct format for international envelopes.

Formatting tips

  • Place Sender’s Name in upper left corner and recipient’s address in middle of envelope.
  • Use 2 letter state abbreviations. 
  • Use appropriate street designations. 
  • Eliminate all punctuation (except the hyphen between ZIP Code and plus four).
  • Use common abbreviations, Use ZIP + 4 Codes (WMU mail stop code).
  • Ensure that return envelopes/mailers/business reply include a complete department address with mail stop code.
  • Use all capital letters in a sans serif font size 10 – 12.
  • Make sure the delivery location appears on the line immediately above the city, state and ZIP code line (i.e. 123 W MAIN ST STE 400 or P.O. BOX 125).
  • If both the street address and the Post Office (P.O.) Box are on the same line, the mail piece will be delivered to the PO Box (NOTE: UPS and other private mail carriers will not deliver mail to the P.O. Box).

Address labels and placement

Labels for use on parcels, packages or large envelopes must be addressed according to the recommended format in the address format listed above. Improperly prepared labels will be returned to you for correction and/or completion.  Labels that are applied must be parallel to and no closer than 5/8 of an inch from the bottom edge of the envelope to be processed by the USPS on automated equipment.

Best practices for addressing

  • Type or machine-print all address information.
  • Make sure print is clear, sharp, and at least 12 point sans serif font.
  • Ensure address characters do not touch or overlap.
  • Black ink on a white background is best.
  • Maintain a uniform left margin.
  • Use upper-case letters.
  • Omit all punctuation.
  • Include floor, suite and apartment numbers whenever possible.
  • Put the city, state and ZIP Code or ZIP + 4 code in that order on the last line. If there's not enough room, you can put the ZIP Code or ZIP + 4 codes alone on the bottom line.
  • Use standard two-letter state abbreviations.
  • When using window envelopes, make sure the complete address is always visible, even when the insert moves.
  • Leave one or two spaces between words and between the state abbreviation and ZIP Code or ZIP + 4 code.
  • Always include your Mail Stop code in the Return Address Area.
  • Call us if you are unsure or have any question: 7-8812 or 8817.

Standard address abbreviation

  • The address area: The complete address should be located within the OCR read area (no return address information). Extraneous (non-address) printing or markings should appear as high on the mail piece and as far away from the address as possible.
  • Barcode read areas: Make sure that this area remains clear of all printing within 5/8 inch. It's reserved for the bar code that will be printed by the Optical Character Reader (OCR).
  • Note: For certain computerized addressing needs, the National Five-Digit ZIP Code & Post Office Directory contains two additional tables of official USPS abbreviations: (1) an Extended Suffix Table, containing suffix forms which appear in some address files, and the corresponding USPS suffixes as coded in the ZIP+4 National Directory File, and (2) abbreviations for postal names which cannot be reduced to 15 positions through use of standard abbreviations.