How To Write An Apartment Address

It is crucial to know how to properly address your apartment to prevent your mail from being returned. To ensure successful delivery, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has specific guidelines on how to address envelopes.

How Do You Write an Apartment Address on an Envelope?

To properly address an apartment, it should be written on three lines according to USPS guidelines. The first line should contain the recipient’s name, the second line should include the street name and number, followed by a comma and the apartment number. The third and final line should contain the city, state, and zip code. Your complete address block should follow this format:

Oliver Hardy

22 Waterloo Avenue, Apartment 2B

Hollywood, CA 90210

The USPS has a standard format for addressing apartments, which includes including the apartment number on the same line as the street address. However, some people may choose to deviate from this format by using the second line for their apartment number. While this is not technically correct, the mail may still be delivered to its intended destination. It is important to ensure that the address is clear and accurate, with correct spelling, to minimize the risk of mail being misdelivered.

Oliver Hardy

22 Waterloo Avenue

Apartment 2B

Hollywood, CA 90210

How to Write Apartment Address Abbreviations

When addressing an apartment, it’s important to know the proper abbreviation to use for the type of unit you live in. Here are some common unit types and their abbreviations:

  1. Room/Rm: This abbreviation is used to indicate a marked-off room in an apartment, hotel, or office.
  2. Suite/Ste: While more commonly used in office buildings, this abbreviation may also be used for apartments or “hard lofts.”
  3. Apartment/Apt: This is the most common abbreviation for apartments. If in doubt, use this one.
  4. Building/Bldg: This abbreviation is used to indicate a building.
  5. Unit/Unit: Some buildings refer to their apartments as “units.”
  6. Mailbox/Box: If you have a designated mailbox or mailbox number, you may be able to use this number in your address.
  7. Penthouse/PH: This abbreviation is used to indicate the top floor(s) of a building, which are typically referred to as a “penthouse.”

By using the correct abbreviation for your unit type, you can help ensure that your mail is delivered to the correct address.

What Happens if You Don’t Put the Apartment Number on the Envelope?

It’s crucial to include your apartment number in your address to ensure that your package or envelope is delivered to the correct location. Omitting the apartment number can result in the item being returned to the sender, which can be inconvenient or even problematic depending on the contents of the package.

While there are some instances where a package may be received by a doorman or community mailbox, this is not guaranteed and is relatively rare. To avoid any potential confusion or issues, it’s best to always include your complete address, including your apartment number, when addressing mail. This can help ensure that your mail is delivered to the correct location and received promptly.

What are You Actually Supposed to Put on the Third Address Line?

In some cases, online shipping forms may not have a separate field for apartment or suite numbers. If you only need to provide the street address for mailing purposes, the address may be written as follows:

22 Waterloo Avenue Apt 2B

Hollywood, CA 90210

In this format, the apartment or suite number is included immediately after the street address, with no punctuation or additional lines between them. While this format may not be ideal, it can still help ensure that your mail is delivered to the correct address.

Many websites allow you to use commas to separate your apartment number from other addresses in the same building. However, there is a specific reason for including a third line in an address.

The third line is typically used to indicate the name of the person or entity who will officially receive the mail or package. This is especially important when the first line of the address is a company name. Including the third line can help ensure that the mail is delivered to the correct person or department within the company.

When using the third line, the address may appear as follows:

Oliver Hardy

22 Waterloo Avenue, Apartment 2B

Attn: Shipping Department

Hollywood, CA 90210

In this format, the third line includes the name of the department or individual who should receive the mail or package. This can help ensure that the item is delivered to the correct person or department within the company.

How do You Write an Address That Has Both a Building Number and Room Number?

In most cases, the apartment or suite number is written immediately after the street address on the second line. If the building has a number, it is typically included before the room or apartment number. The address may appear as follows:

22 Waterloo Avenue, Apartment 2B

Hollywood, CA 90210

In this format, the apartment number (2B) is included immediately after the street address, with a comma separating the two. The city, state, and ZIP code are included on the following line. If the building has a number, it may be included before the apartment or suite number (e.g. 22A or 22B).

What Happens if You Don’t Use Your Legal Name on the Address?

In general, not including your apartment or suite number may not be a significant issue for most mail carriers or shippers. However, it can be a problem when receiving mail from certain entities such as government agencies or financial institutions, which may have stricter mail handling policies.

To avoid any potential issues or delays, it is generally recommended to include your complete and accurate address, including your apartment or suite number, on all mail and packages. This can help ensure that your mail is delivered to the correct address and recipient in a timely manner.

Happy writing!

It is important to pay close attention to the addresses when sending mail, even when it is to your own family. Sending a letter or package to the wrong address can result in wasted postage and delays in delivery.

While writing a letter may seem easy, it is also important to ensure that the address is written accurately and clearly. Fortunately, the USPS allows for some flexibility in how addresses can be written, so there is no need to stress too much about it.

By taking a few extra moments to double-check the address and ensure that it includes all necessary information, such as apartment or suite numbers, you can help ensure that your mail arrives at its intended destination in a timely and efficient manner.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE