If you're trying to send a letter to someone at work or somewhere other than where they live -- perhaps a birthday card for your grandmother who lives in a nursing home or your friend who is staying with a relative -- you want to make sure make sure it doesn't get lost in the mail. This article will teach you how to properly address your envelope to ensure it gets to the right person.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Gather the necessary information
Step 1. Write the address on the front of the envelope in clear capital letters using a pen or permanent marker
Do not write the address in pencil, chalk, or anything else that could smudge or fade.
- If the address contains an apartment number, box, or other unit, do not use a number or pound sign (#) to indicate the number. Instead, write “Apartment 6”, “Room 52” or “Box 230”.
- If you don't know what the number stands for, you can use the number sign, but make sure to leave a clear space between the symbol and the actual number. Instead of #6, you'd better write #6.
- Capital letters are preferred, but your letter will also be delivered if you write in capital and regular letters. Just make sure it's legible and no line is longer than 40 characters, otherwise the scanner won't be able to read the address.
Method 2 of 2: Format the envelope
Step 1. Follow the example below (but with the appropriate information) to send your mail to someone at a company
For this example, a letter for John Smith is sent to his workplace, wikiHow. Since wikiHow is responsible for getting the letter to John, it's in their care. The p/a goes for "wikiHow", and not John's name, like this:
- John Smith
- P/A wikiHow
- 250 EMERSON ST.
- PALO ALTO, CA 94301
Step 2. Follow the example below to send a letter to someone who is staying with someone else
If John Smith is staying with his cousin Jane Doe, it is her responsibility to get the letter to him. The symbol for per address (p/a) precedes her name.
- John Smith
- P/A Jane Doe
- 543 MAIN ST
- APARTMENT 12
- CHICAGO, IL 60601
Step 3. Frank the envelope with stamps of the correct value
Postcards, letters and parcels all have different rates and the cost of international mail can also vary. If you are not sure how much it will cost to send your letter or parcel, take it to the post office and they will make sure you get the correct stamps.
A standard letter is under 20 grams in the Netherlands and you need a 1 stamp for that
Step 4. Put your return address in the top left corner or on the back of the envelope
If for any reason the letter cannot be delivered, it will be sent to the return address stated on the envelope.
