If the delivery address is unclear or incorrectly placed, it’s possible that the letter could be mishandled.

A letter addressed to “John Alexander Smith” is less likely to be intercepted by the wrong person than one addressed to just “John Smith. ” To be as specific as possible, identify the recipient by a formal title, such as “Mrs. ”, “Dr. ”, or “Jr. ”, where needed. [3] X Research source

There’s no need to include any additional identifying information, such as the person’s official title or job description.

Many businesses (and some individuals) receive their mail at post office boxes rather than traditional street addresses, which means you’ll only ever address your mail to 1 or the other, never both. [6] X Research source PO Boxes work a little differently in every country. As a result, you might not have the same number of shipping options available to you when sending a letter or package internationally. [7] X Research source

Use the 2-letter abbreviation for your state or territory as outlined by your local postal authority, such as “Los Angeles, CA” or “New York, NY. ”[9] X Research source If you’re mailing to an international address, include the name of the country on the line directly below the city and postal code. [10] X Research source

If you’re responding to a letter, you can find the PO Box in first or second line of the return address in the upper lefthand corner of the envelope. Call Directory Assistance or submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request form to get ahold of a PO Box number that isn’t listed publicly.

Always print handwritten info. Cursive and other fancy scripts can be difficult to make out. [12] X Research source It may help to write in all capital letters if your penmanship tends to be rushed or messy. If you’re unsure whether your address will be legible to an unfamiliar eye, start over with a fresh envelope just to be on the safe side.

Include the address where it’s most convenient to reach you.

Use a postage calculator to add up the cost of postage, or ask a clerk for assistance. [15] X Research source International mail may also require additional postage or customs forms. These forms must be completed and submitted online prior to shipping.

The mail carrier may know what you meant if you make a typo like “Indianapolis, IN,” but if the PO Box number or zip code is off, the letter could end up somewhere else or fail to be delivered at all.