How to Write a Return Address

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 3, 2022 References

If you send a letter or package and the mail service is unable to deliver it, they can return the package or letter back to you so that it’s not lost in the mail forever. To do this, the return address must be written clearly and contain the proper information so the mail knows where to send it. Typically, the return address goes on the top left of the envelope. Including it can prevent you from losing packages and letters if you don’t have the proper postage or you sent the package or letter to the wrong address.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Formatting the Address

1
Write your first and last name on the top line. Writing your name on the return address will let the recipient know who sent the mail. This is especially important if you’re sending the mail from work or an apartment complex, where there could be a variety of senders.^{[1]
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- For example, the first line of the return address should look like:
  Jerry Sullivan
2
Write your business name if you’re sending a business letter. Include your business’s name on the second line. This will help mail employees return the letter to the correct building.^{[2]
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- Your envelope would look something like:
  Jerry Sullivan
  AWS Industries
- If it’s a personal letter or package, you don’t need to include a business name.
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3
Include the street address on the next line. The second thing that the mail sorting machine reads is the street address. Include all of the numbers in the address and make sure it's spelled correctly.^{[3]
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- Your return address should look something like:
  Jerry Sullivan
  AWS Industries
  123 Apple Street
4
Add the city, state, and zip code where you live on the bottom line. Include this information on the very bottom line. There’s no need for any punctuation in between any of the information and you can abbreviate the state with its official 2-letter abbreviation.^{[4]
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- The completed return address should look something like:
  Jerry Sullivan
  AWS Industries
  123 Apple Street
  Philadelphia PA 19147
- When you write an address, you should usually add a comma between the city and state. However, the United States Postal Service advises you to leave out all punctuation on letters and packages because it could interfere with their letter reading hardware.^{[5]
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5
Write your country name if you're sending an international letter. Including the country will let the post service know whether the package or letter is international or domestic. If you're sending the letter or package to a different country but don't include this, they will look for an address within the country that you're currently in.^{[6]
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- The return address for an international letter or package should look something like:
  Jerry Sullivan
  AWS Industries
  123 Apple Street
  Philadelphia PA 19147
  USA

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Placing the Address on the Envelope or Package

1
Place the return address on the top left of envelopes. Print your name in large legible letters on the first line in the top left corner of the envelope. Placing it in a different location on the envelope may confuse the post office.
2
Write the return address on top left of a label if you’re sending a package. The address label can usually be found on the front or back of the package. Some labels will have “From:” written on the top left of the label. This is where you write your return address.^{[7]
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- You write the recipient's address information on the “To:” line of the label.
3
Write the return address on the back flap for formal invitations. Traditionally, letters or invitations for formal gatherings like a wedding or graduation are centered on the back flap of the letter. This makes the front of the letter look less cluttered and more professional or formal.^{[8]
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- This practice, although common, is now discouraged by the USPS because of the way that they typically scan letters.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Best Practices

1
Use large, capital letters if you’re writing the letter by hand. Write in print rather than cursive if you’re writing the return address by hand. Using all capital letters will prevent the mail service from misreading the address and returning the package or letter to the wrong place.
- Cursive may confuse some postal workers and cause them to return the letter to the wrong place.
2
Use a simple, size 10 font if you’re typing the return address. If you’re using a label or printing the return address out, use at least size 10 font. If you can, make the address even larger if it fits on the label or envelope.
- Don't use a font that's hard to read when writing the return address.
3
Use a return address when sending something via priority mail. Priority mail requires that you include a return address. Priority mail also comes with its own benefits, like being able to track the package.^{[9]
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Community Q&A

Question

Is there any chat or email service for contact with CNN?

Donagan

Top Answerer

They have a number of email addresses. One is "comments@cnn.com".
Question

Is a PO Box, City State and Zip sufficient for a return address? There is no company name.

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes, that's sufficient.
Question

Is it okay to write the sender's title after his name on the return address?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes, especially if the title is normally used in his mailing address.