How to Address an Envelope

It’s important to get the addresses in the right spots, or you risk your mail landing on your own doorstep instead of the intended recipient’s.

Add Your Return Address
Write your own address (the “return address”) on the top left corner of the front of the envelope. It’s also acceptable to put it on the back of the envelope in the middle of the flap.

Line 1: Your full name (and title, if appropriate)
Line 2: Business name, building name (if a college dorm, for instance), apartment or suite number, if applicable
Line 3: Street address
Line 4: City State Zip Code

The return address is there in case your mail has the wrong amount of postage or the recipient’s address is inaccurate. The card will be returned to you to fix and resend.

Add the Mailing Address
Next, write the recipient’s name and address in the center of the front of the envelope.

Line 1: Recipient’s full name (and title, if appropriate)
Line 2: Business name, building name (if a college dorm, for instance), apartment or suite number, if applicable
Line 3: Street address
Line 4: City State Zip Code

Bonus points
If you want to make things easy on the Post Office:
•    Print neatly in all capital letters.
•    Don’t use commas or periods.
•    Use the Zip Code™.
•    Leave about a half-inch of blank space across the bottom, because the post office will put a bar code there.

But also…
We’re big fans of mail art. Just make sure the address is legible and the stamps are visible. And know it will confuse the scanners and computers, so your card may take a teeny bit longer to arrive at its destination.

Did you get to that last step and go “Oh, right…the address. That’s a thing I need”? If the contact list on your phone doesn’t include addresses, you’re not alone.

Here are the easiest ways to get a mailing address:

• Ask the person you’re sending the card to. Unless you want it to be a surprise, then…
• Check the map app on your phone. If you’ve ever driven to their house, you might have it there.
• If it’s a family member, ask your mom. If it’s a pal, ask your most organized mutual friend. If it’s a co-worker, ask your administrative assistant.
• Try searching their first and last name with their city and state and the word “address.”

Add the Stamp
The stamp goes in the upper right corner of the front of your envelope.

The stamp you’ll need depends on a few things:

• Where you’re sending your card
• The size and shape of the envelope
• How fast you want your mail to arrive

For most domestic (meaning U.S. only) deliveries with a standard-size envelope, you can use a Forever® stamp (currently 55 cents) and the mail will arrive in 1-3 business days. (Forever stamps have the benefit of holding their value no matter how long you have them, even if postage rates change.)

Non-standard-size envelopes—square, oversized, or unusual envelopes—start at about 70 cents. Really big, funky, bulky, or complicated envelopes—or letters going to other countries—will cost more. And then there are all sorts of options—next day delivery, certified mail, etc.

The US Postal Service is your best source for information about postage, including where to buy stamps.

Mail the Card
Mailing your card is the easiest part: Simply leave it in your mailbox for your mail carrier to pick up. If you’re worried about speed or security, you can also drop it off at your local Post Office or into any blue USPS box. Find your nearest location.