General Guidelines

Capitalize everything using plain block letters. (No matter how legible your handwriting may be, machines have trouble reading script.)
Omit all punctuation in the address, except hyphenate for the ZIP+4Code.
Use the two-letter state abbreviations.
Use complete and correct ZIP Codes or ZIP+4 Codes.
Make sure that endorsements for special services are placed above the delivery address or below the return address.

Destination Address

Be sure to include:
Recipient's Full name (and/or company name, if applicable).
The Recipient's (whichever is most applicable)
Street address
Post office box number
Rural route number and box number
Highway contract route number and box number
For International mail include
The city or town
Province or state name
The foreign postal code
The country name in capital letters on the last line of the address.

Return Address

Include all the elements of the destination address. Place the return address in the upper left corner of the mail piece.