USPS Address Standardization
Before processing your NCOA update, TrueNCOA verifies, validates, and performs hygiene on your input records using USPS address standardization rules. The USPS Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) corrects and standardizes addresses, adds missing address information such as ZIP codes, cities, and states, performs delivery point validation to verify deliverability, and checks against the USPS Locatable Address Conversion System, updating addresses that have been renamed or renumbered. This process saves the post office time and money due to reduced sorting and undeliverable mail; as a result, mailers who use it can qualify for bulk mailing discounts. Please see the "About NCOA" section of our FAQ for additional information regarding the NCOA process.
An example of what CASS address standardization software will correct in an address
Input
1010 Lake
Oake park IL
Output
1010 Lake St
Oak Park IL 60301-1102
It corrects city name, address street suffix, ZIP code, and ZIP+4 add-on, and identifies the address as a business. Read more about identifying Residential vs. Business addresses here.
Delivery Address
The delivery address is the most important information on your mailpiece. The USPS suggests the following format for your delivery addresses:
Name or attention line: JANE L MILLER
Company: MILLER ASSOCIATES
Delivery Address: 1960 W CHELSEA AVE STE 2006R
City, state, ZIP Code: ALLENTOWN PA 18104
USPS address standardization guidlines:
- Always put the address and the postage on the same side of your mailpiece.
- On a letter, the address should be parallel to the longest side.
- All capital letters.
- No punctuation.
- At least 10-point type.
- One space between city and state.
- Two spaces between state and ZIP Code.
- Simple type fonts.
- Left justified.
- Black ink on white or light paper.
- No reverse type (white printing on a black background).
- If your address appears inside a window, make sure there is at least 1/8-inch clearance around the address. Sometimes parts of the address slip out of view behind the window and mail processing machines can't read the address.
- If you are using address labels, make sure you don't cut off any important information. Also make sure your labels are on straight. Mail processing machines have trouble reading crooked or slanted information.
Read more about USPS address standardization rules here.
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